Hobie hands free kayaks

**mrfishjersey** · 28-02-2008, 14:06

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** · 28-02-2008, 19:30

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** · 29-02-2008, 10:53

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** · 29-02-2008, 21:04

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** · 09-03-2008, 07:55

You may want to take a look at some comments by Captain Jimbo at Ft Lauderdale Yak Fishing Club

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 where it apparently 'beats' the two profi paddlers in a conventional tandem kayak.

Steinbeisser

**Snapper35** · 09-03-2008, 22:16

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....

**mrfishjersey** · 11-03-2008, 21:55

Originally Posted by Steinbeisser

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** · 11-03-2008, 23:45

Originally Posted by mrfishjersey

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** · 21-03-2008, 16:51

Originally Posted by mrfishjersey

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

Not seen one in Iron Stores ha ha

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!!

Dave

**mrfishjersey** · 22-03-2008, 14:45

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