I was constantly adjusting my rudder on my late model Outback till I purchased a larger "sail rudder" from Hobie. Made a huge difference in tracking ...and also in sailing the thing as well! Turns were a little tighter as well.
Regarding those early Outbacks ...I loved it when Hobie finally changed the hull design. The older, deeper center hull was a pain if I rode-up on a submerged tree trunk. Can anybody say "Teeter-toter"? The newer, less deep hull also facilitates shallower water capabilities.
But the biggest surprise came with self-rescuing. I could not self-rescue in my old Outback (without using an inflatable paddle float bag or other device). The minute I'd try to crawl onto the hull, the non-load side would rise up 90 degrees straight up and flip on top of me. Try as I might, I could not lower the angle of the empty kayak enough to counter that protruding center hull so I could climb over the side and in. Now I'm and old guy with a large body frame, so I had some avid kayakers with very good rescue skills (they were certified to teach) try to self-rescue in my old Outback— AND THEY COULDN'T DO IT EITHER.
But when Hobie reduced the depth of that center hull ...well, I could suddenly self-rescue.
_________________ Absolute kayaking corrupts absolutely.
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