Roadrunner wrote:
On the other hand, I'm about 5'10", 180 and prefer the Revo 11 to the 13. It's much easier to handle, load and store. On the water, it's more maneuverable, livelier, a little quieter, gets into more restricted spaces, and generally cuts the fat out of the Revo 13. The cockpit length is one inch shorter so your son would probably be more comfortable in the Revo 13 in terms of pedaling, but I think you'd like the 11 better to compliment your PA 12.
The Sport cockpit is about 2" shorter than the Revo 11 so would be way too small for your son's height. On the other hand, the 2014 Sport has the transducer fittings along with the Revo 13; the Revo 11 does not. Getting a demo on all three (for yourself) would be a great option.
IMO, your son would fit best in the PA 12 for the leg space -- on the few times when he comes, you could put him in that boat. The more comfortable he is, the more often he would be likely to join you!
You are so right with your comments. That is EXACTLY what I have been thinking and is why I am so confused now!
Now I have come up with a plan to make it easy to swap boats, using a Harken hoist in the middle of my garage. I have a trailer which hauls 2 kayaks side by side. For solo trips, depending which boat I want to use, I move the boat I am not taking under the hoist and take it off, then center the other kayak. When I get back, I slide the kayak I used to one side and lower the one I didn't take onto the trailer for storage. That being said, with the handling figured out, the heavier Outback now comes back into play. So, I am down to either the Sport or 11 for me to use when he goes and he uses my PA, or I get the Outback or 13 for him, which I also can use if I want to when he doesn't go.
I started out deciding between an Outback and a Revo 13, and after several days of serious deliberation, I am proud to say I have my whittled my option down to 4 boats.