Hobie Kayaks offer unique, innovative designs for fishing, recreation, and more  

One of Hobie Kayak's innovations is their MirageDrive system, which is a set of foot pedals that allow the paddler to operate a pair of underwater flippers that propels the kayak forward without the need for a traditional paddle.  This unique system frees up the paddlers hands, which is a great feature if you're fishing and don't want to set down your rod every time you want to move your boat. As for steering, the paddler can turn the boat by operating a rudder through a set of hand controls.

Another Hobie innovation is the fact that you can add a sail to many of their kayak models. Now admittedly a sail takes a little getting used to, but once mastered, it allows for almost effortless kayaking on a breezy day.

Hobie kayaks are the sit-on-top variety, where the paddler rides in an open cockpit. This also makes them a great platform for fishing and general recreational use. Many people new to the sport of kayaking are intimidated by more restrictive cockpits, and are afraid of being trapped in the boat during a capsize. All their kayaks offer  a closed-deck design with self-draining scuppers and seats that  keep you dry (most of the time, anyway).

Another feature that fishermen (and women) will appreciate is the large internal cargo bays on Hobie kayaks. Some models offer bays as large as 14" by 21", big enough for almost anything you'd want to bring along on a day trip.

Hobie kayaks are roto-molded polyethylene. While not the lightest hull material, polyethylene offers a sturdy, stable hull that will hold up through many years of hard use. 

The Products

Hobie currently manufactures 11 different kayak models. Each of  Mirage Sport, Classic, Tandem, Outback, Adventure and Outfitter models are fitted with the MirageDrive pedaling system. The Lanai, Maui, Kona, Quest, and Odyssey models are paddle-only kayak. They also offer several tandem models, both with and without the MirageDrive.

We've heard mostly positive comments from Hobie kayak owners we've spoken to. Most report good initial and secondary stability, and relatively good speed for roto-molded boats. The tracking while paddling is good, but a few owners reported the large turning radius on the Adventure model as a negative. The adjustable seats are comfortable, and almost everyone thought that the MirageDrive was a fun and innovative way to paddle a kayak. Several who had purchased the sail also found it a great recreational addition to their boats.

On the negative side, we have heard a few complaints from Hobie kayak owners. One owner, a fisherman, reported that the MirageDrive paddles (which protrude down from the bottom of the hull) made it impossible to move through shallow water, where he does much of his fishing. Another owner said that she had problems with the rudder cables on her Hobie kayak, a small but nonetheless annoying problem.

Conclusion

These few minor faults aside, we would still recommend a Hobie  kayak to anyone considering a new sit-on-top boat for fishing or general recreational use. The Hobies feature innovative designs, a unique propulsion system, a variety of options and rock-solid construction that should serve owners well for many years to come. 

Got Gear?

Is that PFD of yours getting a little frayed around the edges? Is that spray skirt springing a few leaks? Well check out one of our featured merchants for great online deals on kayaking accessories.

Retail sporting goods stores are great, but most only carry a limited selection of kayaking gear, and expect to pay the full retail price. Online merchants, on the other hand, offer a wide selection of name-brand kayaks and paddling accessories, and at discounted prices. And online shopping offers a convenient, comfortable alternative to driving all over town looking for that hard to find item.

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For some great deals on new kayaking gear, click on one of the following links:

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