Apalach,
Thank you very much for your response! It's appreciated!
My reponses:
1. Speed.
Not a big factor to me, so either kayak would be fine.
2. Stability.
Aha! Now we're getting somewhere, and your comments are 100% accurate. If any one else who's new to kayaking reads this, you MUST take the kayaks out for a test. That's the ONLY way to figure out what's good for you. I thought I'd go for the Adventure. I didn't!
I thought the Adventure was more stable than the Outback (I'm 6', 220 lbs.). My brother, who is about 6', 250 lbs., thought the exact opposite. He fought the Adventure the whole time. Note that the 'tippiness' of the Outback was acceptable to me, though. I got used to it quickly.
3. Wetness.
Again, not a great concern, simply because I really (for now) don't plan to be out when it's cold; that may change, but then I won't be wearing a T-shirt & bathing suit
4. Suitability for what I want to do.
This is what did it for me. The Outback has more areas for someone who wants to fish. I can put supplies in lots of different places, and I like the forward rod holders. Just a presonal preference. The Adventure just didn't measure up, at least to me, for fishing. I also like the idea of a shorter kayak, for storage purposes.
5. Places to add stuff.
I like the Outback just because it has most of the stuff I want already. I am going to wait a while to add anything. Don't really know what, if anything, I need in addition to what it comes with. I'll figure that out over time.
6. Weight.
The outback is fine for a 6 footer in the 220-250 range
I also had no problems with the Adventure.
7. Storage.
Outback. Shorter
If anyone has any unique storage solutions for small spaces, I'm all ears.
8. Fishing model.
Maybe a scam, but I'm happy to have gotten everything I wanted in the package, so no complants. My brother and I both bought an Outback fishing model. It was interesting to note that He got an orange one, with a cooler with a round bucket style. I got a green kayak, and it had a soft cooler. Dunno why there was a difference, but no complaints about it, regardless.
Thanks for the pics - they're great!
The pedal drive can't be beaten! I was on the water all day, two days in a row, going miles and miles (as per GPS), and wasn't worn out. Enjoyed every minute of it, and couldn't believe the range that I had.
The paddle seems too short, but like another poster said, it's good enough that it's not worth spending money on a longer one.
Thanks to all!
sgl