Lt.kenson wrote:
Retired Firefighter here, approaching 60 yrs old. I just bought a 2015 Outback. I definitely recommend demo'ing both if you are on the fence. Me personally, I only considered the Outback. My buddies have PA's and I have never been in one. I never considered one because I don't stand to fish, I'm 6'3 with a high center of gravity and never felt comfortable standing in my Slayer. If I stood I would have definitely considered a PA. I'm mostly a recreational fisherman, I finally went to the Hobie Open this past weekend due to constant prodding of my buddies, and had a blast, but will stick to recreational fishing. Can't compare the 2 boats, but for tracking on the Outback, I have discovered 2 things on tracking, you are making constant adjustments with the rudder under power with the Mirage Drive and it doesn't seem to track well when paddling. Kind of a disappointment to me, because I planned to use it conventionally on rivers with friends using non powered yaks. But, to be honest, I've been fishing a lot and haven't spent a lot of time paddling. I've read that the rudder helps when paddling and I will spend more time paddling when the fishing slows down. I absolutely love the boat and you will love the Mirage Drive. The Outback is extremely stable. I have fished ledges on Lake Barkley this weekend and Kentucky Lake previously with pretty brisk winds and never felt uncomfortable doing so. So demo if possible, but I love my Outback, the Mirage Drive, and oh my gosh-that amazing seat, I thought the seat in my Slayer was good. With no wind the Outback turns really well, in wind sometimes the rudder just doesn't seem to help much other times I can't get the boat to turn quick enough to suit me. I've found that if I flopp the rudder to the opposite side and right back, the boat seems to respond-odd. I transport mine in the back of my p/u, and saw several PA's carried in p/u's this weekend, shouldn't be an issue. Good luck.
My 2013 Outback tracks really well, and I just demoed a 2015, and it tracked the same. From the issues you mention, I wonder if you are always making sure you lock down your rudder with the little down rudder holder on the lower right hand inside of the kayak? The first time I rented a Hobie no one told me about the rudder lock down bracket and I had a heck of a time with the rudder and steering, and it was doing similar things as you mention. Also, if you haven't upgraded, I highly recommend purchasing the sailing rudder for the Outback, because it does make a huge difference in turning ability! (Not meaning to be bossy, just trying to help!)