Hobie Mirage Revolution 13

Size and Weight

There’s no denying that the Revolution is made for optimal speed and agility on the water, thanks to its long and narrow hull. The Revolution is 13’6” long (409 cm) and 28.5” wide (72 cm) which makes it able to easily cut through the water and maintain high speeds. It has a fully rigged weight of only 88 lbs (40 kg) which makes it relatively easy for a user to handle.

Capacity

The Revolution doesn’t have quite as much overall capacity as some kayaks on the market, especially those geared toward fishing. It’s overall capacity is 350 lbs (159 kg) and the seating capacity is rated at 275 lbs (124.7 kg). While this kayak does have good stability, despite its narrow body, it may not be the best choice for larger-sized individuals.

Features

The most highly-reviewed feature of the Revolution is the MirageDrive 180 pedal system which gives this kayak forward and backward propulsion. The Kick-Up fins are designed to retract when they encounter an underwater object that would normally damage a pedal system.

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The seat is highly adjustable and has many different settings to help users find the most comfortable position. The Revolution features molded carrying handles on the front and back for easy handling out of the water.

A large bow hatch provides plenty of dry storage for items like rods, nets, paddles, and just about any other type of gear you want to pack inside. The mesh stowing pockets on either side of the cockpit area are great for quick and easy storage of tools and other items.

The kayak’s rudder is controlled by Hobie’s compass style navigational system. The Revolution also features a kick-up rudder system that has the same capabilities as the kayak’s fins to protect it from potential damage. The rudder can also be quickly and easily stowed using a lever that runs to the cockpit area, allowing you to deploy the rudder with one hand once you hit the water.

The Vantage CT seat is one of the most comfortable ones on the market and offers plenty of padding, as well as lumbar support for longer trips.

In addition to the dry storage area on the bow, the Revolution also features a large storage well on the stern that’s great for placing coolers, tackle boxes, and just about anything else you want to fit behind the seat.

The Revolution also features two molded rod holders behind the seat that are great for stowing your rods while you move to the next spot. The stern also has another dry storage compartment with an 8” twist-and-seal hatch.

One of the main drawbacks of the Revolution is that it lacks gear tracks, which makes it tricky to install electronic equipment, additional rod holders, or otherwise customize your kayak. However, you can buy and install aftermarket gear tracks.

The Revolution is fishfinder ready. It features a special cavity on the underside which houses a transducer and is protected by a cover plate. The kayak also features through-hull wire plugs that allow your wire to run in and out of the hull.

Performance

There is no doubt that the Revolution 13 is built for speed. Users have reported that they were able to reach 4 to 5 miles per hour with minimal effort thanks to the MirageDrive 180 pedal system. The Revolution can also make very tight turns, both with the pedal system and when users opt for the paddle. The steering system is very agile and some users even describe it as being too sensitive.

Despite being a narrow model, the Revolution has great stability and can handle just about any type of water conditions. The rounded hull design with a sharp keel on the bow gives this kayak excellent tracking. For many anglers, the Revolution 13 is the perfect combination of speed, stability and portability.