Hobie hands free kayaks

[mrfishjersey]

Hi guys, what do you recon on the hobie kayaks with the foot peddles? I think they must be better for angling surely? Hands free and being able to move a easier? Has anyone got one?

[soakingwet]

I can see the advantages, but they are expensive. Not sure how they would perform against wind and tide. You sometimes have to work hard with paddles to make good progress in certain conditions.
Can't see how that flappy thing under the hull can have much power.
Probably fine for still water, lakes etc.

[mrfishjersey]

I recently saw a video clip of a Hobie with paddles facing one way, tied to a double standard kayak facing the other way, the Hobie pulled the two guys backwards, they just couldnt beat him. I think I'm going to get one, they seem so much easier for stealthing up on bass in our shallow water over here

[Spuds]

I've got the Outback which is the dogs danglies.They are great for trolling lures for Bass.The mirage system allows you to get about 4 knots for hours without stopping which would be hard for a paddler.Why paddle when you can peddle.

[Steinbeisser]

You may want to take a look at some comments by Captain Jimbo at Ft Lauderdale Yak Fishing Club (http://www.ftlauderdaleyakfishingclub.org/hobieworkinprogress.html)

Now, like all things on the Internet, you have to sort out their Wheat from the Chaff and this guy certainly doesn't like the Hobbie kayak marketing spin, though he does profess to like the 'Outside the Box Thinking'.

He doesn't like most of the Wilderness Systems Tarpon boats either, especially the bigger ones and the Marketing Spin.

However, I think his posts are generally sensible so worth reading. You can look at the points he makes and then go armed with that knowledge to the Hobbie Kayak Salesman here.

He also addresses the Hobbie propulsion test (http://www.ftlauderdaleyakfishingclub.org/hobieunplugged.html) where it apparently 'beats' the two profi paddlers in a conventional tandem kayak.

Steinbeisser

[Snapper35]

Apparently it's very good. However, you still need a paddle to get out through the surf and it's also useful for braccinga nd support strokes as well as using as a rudder. Kind of negates it really...

4 knots is not hard for a paddler. I bimble along at 3 knots trolling for hours on end as that is what the pike go for. I do this at a very leisurely pace. I could easily paddle at 4 knots for the same amount of time with just a faster stroke. When paddling out to my marks at sea I'm usually doing that or more. I was doing 3 coming in against strong wind and across the tide a few days ago. Of course that's with either a Prowler 15 or Trident - a Big Game (for example) would require far more effort to paddle at 3 knots all day.

And I was doing 7 knots the other day with my sail rigged on the yak....

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c24/609photos/2008%20Kayak%20Angling/P2252895.jpg

[mrfishjersey]

You can look at the points he makes and then go armed with that knowledge to the Hobbie Kayak Salesman here.


Steinbeisser

I am actually thinking of becoming a Hobie salesman!!! I am not 100% about them but my brother is fully taken, he's had a go on one and as he owns 5 sit-on-tops I would say he's fairly clued up, he thinks the hobie is awesome. I think I will get 2 or 3 in and see. Cheers guys, I will let you know how I get on, because no doubt I will be fishing from one this summer

[Steinbeisser]

I am actually thinking of becoming a Hobie salesman!!! I am not 100% about them but my brother is fully taken, he's had a go on one and as he owns 5 sit-on-tops I would say he's fairly clued up, he thinks the hobie is awesome. I think I will get 2 or 3 in and see. Cheers guys, I will let you know how I get on, because no doubt I will be fishing from one this summer

Interesting and good luck.

It did sound like the Hobie craft hull may have been a standard kayak design to which was then added the novel propulsion system BUT without adding sufficient additional strengthening to accommodate the stresses caused by the drive transmission.

Not impossible for them to rectify in the design and manufacturing I would have thought.

Steinbeisser

[Guerrier]

I am actually thinking of becoming a Hobie salesman!!! I am not 100% about them but my brother is fully taken, he's had a go on one and as he owns 5 sit-on-tops I would say he's fairly clued up, he thinks the hobie is awesome. I think I will get 2 or 3 in and see. Cheers guys, I will let you know how I get on, because no doubt I will be fishing from one this summer


Hi there Mrfishjersey:clap2:

Not seen one in Iron Stores ha ha:thumbs: or seen one in my usual haunts (St Aubins / Greve / St Catherines etc)

If you see a orange / yellow scupper pro TW around the fort at crazy early hours in June, give us a wave., thats me!! :thumbs:

Dave :icecream:

[mrfishjersey]

Hello Dave

pop in my shop when you are over, its on the inner road to St Aubin opp St Andrews park. Do I know you? I used to work in the fish market tackle shop. I will be getting some RTM kayaks and Hobie kayaks in and any advice from you pro's would be greatfully recieved

Mick

[Guerrier]

Hello Dave

pop in my shop when you are over, its on the inner road to St Aubin opp St Andrews park. Do I know you? I used to work in the fish market tackle shop. I will be getting some RTM kayaks and Hobie kayaks in and any advice from you pro's would be greatfully recieved

Mick

Hi Mick:thumbs:

Been in your shop in the fish market but not your new one! Will pop in and say hello (always need more tackle LOL) Sadly I don't live on the Island (not through lack of trying ha ha) but am there quite a bit!! and have made a few friends too (been coming over the last 20 years)

The americans love the hobies and I think the drive on them looks VERY impressive (I actually saw the demo you mentioned with the opposing kayaks!) Good luck with becoming an agent:thumbs: don't think you will have any problems shifting them once people see them!

Roll on end May early June (next trip over) then September and November all being well!

All the best

Dave:icecream:

[billythebass]

:fishing1:hello yak fishin guy /gals the peddal kayak is "new" ..different..strange..? YOU CHOOSE .but hands free fishin 'good quality stable ..fast ? well how fast do you need to go? were fishin ..its a good yak 'pricey ..yes .. do you get what pay for well YES ! two year warranty 'tackle box' paddle 'comfy seat 'rudder 'dry bag 'water bottle and quality build ' ask an ozzy or an american yak fishin dude what s the norm ...there are better yaks on market 'YES! yaks for fishin 'im bias so the hobie [ revolution ]is my choice they are fantastic platforms to fish from and good to paddle also .thats the difference to me ... when your ****ing against the wind paddling not getting far .. then the peddals will make the difference!!:yeah: ps this is my post on hobie cos i have 1 .. when you try it for yourselves .thats when you will see /feel the quality . but mabee im bias . .. here comes the sun ..bass heaven ...:thumbs:..billy

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk301/billythebass/hobie1.jpg

[Snapper35]

I thought it was fast - certainly wasn't slower than my Trident and it was a couple of feet shorter.

[Simon Everett]

The trouble with the Hobies is their lack of stability in rough water - without a paddle to provide support (you can tell people new to kayaking - they only think a paddle is for propulsion, it is also for support) in the rough it is very unpredictable. In South Africa where they love the sailing cats that Hobie make they have had some very seriious incidents with peddle boats - they are not kayaks.

i did a test on one for Boat Fishing Monthly - it was fine on flat water, the peddle drive is very innovative and works well - but as soon as you get into some waves you will wish you were on a decent kayak. Come to one of the workshops being held for kayak anglers and you will learn how a slim kayak with a paddle will outperform a peddle kayak or a wide one.

[jdavies841]

I suppose theres no reason why you cant just take a paddle on a hobbie aswell. Thought it would be the norm in aiding stability and turning with a paddle.

[Simon Everett]

You could - but kind of defeats the object of handsfree then though, doesn't it.

[billythebass]

:blink: thanks for your take on hobie kayak simon ' this is my kayak because it suits my fishing needs ' the want of rough waters to test my stability doesnt come into my style of "kayaking" a fishing platform ' and mabee a workout for legs ' if i where say over 6ft and over 15st i wouldnt be going for a hobie revolution ' kayaks are suited to the individual ..this one suits me ' and have no desire to fish in rough water . :) billy