Hobie Cat Forums

Is the Revo hull pretty much the same design as the Quest?


I already own an Outback and Revolution. I just got a great deal on an '06 Quest that is hardly used. (I may install amas on this and use it for my skinny water boat).
It appears to be pretty much the same design as my revo but it tracks great w/o a rudder. If I pull up the rudder on my Revo and paddle slow it tracks fine. If I pick up speed it becomes uncontrollable. Is this a Revo issue or should I be looking for something?
Also my revo hull seems to be fine w/o any bulges or damage and I have tried this with the drive in and fins up as well as with the drive removed and cassette plug installed.

They're similar in concept and proportion, but the Quest definitely paddles better.

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Founder: Modern Kayak Fishing
http://modernkayakfishing.com
Blue Water Kayak Fishing guy: SL Hobie
http://slhobie.com.au

I'm going to be watching this topic closely. With the rudder up on my Revo, it will wheel hard to the right and turn in a complete, tight, circle. It won't track straight at all.

If the hulls are the same, then the Quest should have this same tendency, but I can't imagine that a boat designed for paddling would act like this.

............

Based on internet photo's of the Quest, and my own eyes on my Revolution, I'd say that the quest has a much sharper, and more defined fin at the stern of the hull. I think that would be a huge help in keeping the boat straight when paddling, and I think the reason that it is rounded off on the Revolution would be to allow the rudder that hangs off the back end, to operate without fighting that fin.

From my perspective, that's the difference. I could be mistaken, but it makes some sense to me.

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augaug I believe you are correct in your theory. I thought it may be an issue that was unique to my Revo but I guess it is not. I love my Revo and it is my favorite of my boats but thats the one thing I wish could be improved. Just checking to see if it was unique to me or my kayak.

They're not the same. Similar, but different. Augaug is correct. Stern shape is quite different on Quest. Less freeboard too I think, especially around the bow.

Tom, you aren't the first person to call into question the revo's tracking performance while being paddled with rudder up. You're not the only one who has made that comment. Wish I could tell you why that seems to occur for some users. One day I'll spend some time on the water to try and determine hat causes that.

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Founder: Modern Kayak Fishing
http://modernkayakfishing.com
Blue Water Kayak Fishing guy: SL Hobie
http://slhobie.com.au

What I'd really like to know is, to be effective does the Mirage Drive require a hull that is directionally unstable? What would happen if you could install the drive in a kayak such as the Quest?

In the case of the Revolution, it's not necessarily the Mirage Drive that causes the directional instability, it's the requirement for the Mirage Drive to use a rudder. The rudder won't operate effectively with the sharp fin at the rear of the hull.

The Adventure is more directionally capable then the Revo, but I've found that paddling these kayaks just isn't as nice as paddling a purpose built paddling kayak. It's part of the give and take of getting the Mirage Drive I guess.

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That's what I came to suspect after paddling the Revo yesterday. Makes sense.

It is the rudder. Without a rudder you need a keel or fin for tracking. With a rudder you have to reduce the tracking so that the rudder can perform it's function. Some find it better to paddle (if you must )with the rudder down and centered.

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Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA

I may work on a "river rudder" that is shallower but longer. Something to play with.

jagerschnapps1:
We've done some river kayaking on our Revo in shallow rivers and couldn't use the rudder or mirage drives, you are correct the Revo is difficult to keep straight when paddling hard with the rudder up, I found trailing a line behind the boat helps you paddle a little straighter (upstream or still water only). I have the bigger sailing rudder installed and have thought about cutting the bottom off the standard rudder (which is sitting in the garage) and using that for river paddling.
Bob

Fusioneng, Thanks for the advice regarding trailing a line behind.

Tom, I would love to know how that rudder works out for you if you make one.

Down here there are areas where the water is deep enough for the rudder but at low tides the sea grasses are not so you just get hung up. These areas can strech for miles so its frustrating when your faster then everyone else and you suddenly have to paddle sloooowww. lol I'm going to give that a shot and if all else fails the quest will be the skinny water boat.