Man! It would be cool to have reverse, but for $900 I can have a whole nice kayak on the used market.


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My Original Tarpon 16 was only $750 and I got a 10% off discount to boot.
I'm trying to rationalize the difference in effort between grabbing a paddle for a brief moment then putting it back or yanking on a cord to go one way then yanking it again to go the other?
It certainly isn't a $950 difference to me.
I'll give Hobie the next upgrade idea; rear view mirror specifically designed for the kayak.
I guarantee these new fins will put more than a few people in the drink.
How many newbs have gone @$$ over tea kettle when trying to grab something out of the rear tank well? Imagine what's going to happen when they turn to look where they are going. 

I took my new revo 16 out today and gave the 180 fins a shot.

The new drive seems like it generates less overall force, but feels much more efficient. With the new 180 + Turbo my top speed is reduced from 6.8 to 6.3mph compared to the same hull revo 16 with V2 mirage +turbo fins. However, with the 180 fins my top cruise speed is up from 4.5 to around 4.9mph.


Also, backwards is awesome and it made bass fishing much easier.

My only complaint is the stupid vantage seat. I want to be locked in on a revo16, not sitting up high. 

Does the new Revo 16 automatically comes with turbo fins? I thought they're not available yet. Adventure sold me a 2016 hull and a 180 drive with standard fins from another model. Just wondering if certain models come standard with it.

No, turbo fins do not come standard with the revo 16. I was somehow lucky enough to get a pair of 180 turbos even though they are backordered.

The 180 is waaay faster than pulling and reversing the drive. It's instantaneous. Once your brain get's used to having the new feature you will use it all the time. Now that I've had mine a while I find myself using it more and more.

I think only the camo color Hobie's are coming with the new 180 Turbo fins at this time. I'm still waiting for 180 Turbos for my Dune Revo13. Hope they will be in this coming week.

The new fins are equal in speed capability to the old ones of the same length.

On either the 180 or V2 you want the brass screw adjusted so your fins are loose. This makes it much easier to maintain the highest pace that your legs can withstand. Having the fins tight is only good for more thrust but only just as you begin to pedal. This would only be useful if you were engaging in a short race with another kayak where your off the line speed was critical.

The Revo16, even with the seat in the lowest position, has less primary stability than any other Hobie. With more time in the saddle you will get used to it if your body weight is low enough and your ability to balance is good enough. It's a great boat with speed and excellent rough conditions ocean ability to boot.

There's a good discussion of the 180 drive by the most knowledgeable guy on the Hobie forum (he goes by "Roadrunner"). The first part is just a general description
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=59266
while the second part deals with performance
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=59265

This has a down side, however. At backward speeds greater than about 2.5 MPH, the rudder can suddenly slam to the side and you may find yourself in the water. This is because our rudders are designed for going forward. If you want to reverse faster, no problem -- just pull the rudder up. Our boats are directionally stable in reverse and you can skim your paddle along the surface to provide small turning correction.

Hang on to that paddle.

Quote

This has a down side, however. At backward speeds greater than about 2.5 MPH, the rudder can suddenly slam to the side and you may find yourself in the water. This is because our rudders are designed for going forward. If you want to reverse faster, no problem -- just pull the rudder up. Our boats are directionally stable in reverse and you can skim your paddle along the surface to provide small turning correction.

Hang on to that paddle.

True.....but just like other watercraft/vehicles it's better to slowly back up. So as long as you don't try to sprint pedal in reverse, with the rudder down, there really isn't an issue. Backing slowly at speeds less than 2.5mph is perfectly fine with the rudder down. I would recommend having your rudder either straight or turned only partially to keep it from locking to one side or the other as you back up.