Converting MeleeSystem by Brackeys to C# (most likely a silly mistake)

I haven't gotten used to c# syntax or error messages, so this is probably pretty simple to solve. I am trying to replicate the following code in C#:
http://s9.postimg.org/pwco3xt7z/Melee_System_Brackeys.png
(if this link breaks, the video is

Spoiler: this

)

This is my failed attempt:

Code (CSharp):

1. using UnityEngine;
2. using System.Collections;
3.  
4. public class MeleeSystem : MonoBehaviour {
5.  
6.     public int theDamage = 50;
7.     public float distance;
8.  
9.     void Update()
10.     {
11.         if (Input.GetButtonDown("Fire1"))
12.         {
13.             RaycastHit hit;
14.             if (Physics.Raycast (transform.position, transform.TransformDirection(Vector3.forward), hit))
15.             {
16.                 distance = hit.distance;
17.                 hit.transform.SendMessage("Hurt", theDamage, SendMessageOptions.DontRequireReceiver);
18.             }
19.         }
20.     }
21. }
22.  

These are my errors:

Code (CSharp):

1. Assets/MeleeSystem.cs(14,113): error CS0165: Use of unassigned local variable `hit'
2. Assets/MeleeSystem.cs(14,37): error CS1502: The best overloaded method match for `UnityEngine.Physics.Raycast(UnityEngine.Vector3, UnityEngine.Vector3, out UnityEngine.RaycastHit)' has some invalid arguments
3. Assets/MeleeSystem.cs(14,37): error CS1620: Argument `#3' is missing `out' modifier

If someone familiar with C# could spend a minute comparing the two programs, I would appreciate it

 

Notice the added 'out'

Code (csharp):

1. if(Physics.Raycast(transform.position, transform.TransformDirection(Vector3.forward), out hit))

 

Put "out" in front of hit in the raycast.

 

Thank you! I looked at it for ages, I can't believe I didn't spot that.
Sorry for the late reply, I didn't realize that created threads were not watched automatically on the unity forums.