|
Hobie Kayaks Review
|
| Canoe Shops UK Staff Testing Hobie Mirage Kayaks |
|
|
Hobie Kayaks range of Sit On Tops is one of the most exciting on the market to date. The Hobie Mirage range can be paddled like standard kayaks or peddled using the unique Hobie drive system and can also be sailed. They are quite possibly the most versatile range of Sit On Top kayaks on the market. With Hobie kayaks gaining more and more popularity we decided to get a team of Canoe Shops UK staff to go and test the range.
Location – Sheltered Fowey Estuary Cornwall (F8 Wind on coastline)
Test Team
Gavin Webb - Cornwall Canoes
Andy Merchant – Cheltenham Canoes
Simon Rham – Bournemouth Canoes and Berkshire Canoes
Chris Dyer – Cornwall Canoes and Canoe Shops UK Group
Bruce Daykin - Kayaks & Paddles and Cornwall Canoes
Simon Longdon - Canoe Shops UK Group and Cornwall Canoes
(Click on any image to enlarge)
|
|
Hobie Mirage Sport - RRP £1065
The Hobie Mirage Sport is the smallest kayak in the Hobie range. It is also the lightest and we were amazed at how easy it was to lift on and off the roof of our vehicle. The Hobie Sport was easily carried down to the water by one person and at 2.92m in length will be great for car topping and for storage in the garage. We thought it would also be a great option for storing on a larger boat, or caravan, mobile home.
On the water the Hobie Sport felt very stable and easy to maneuver. We were all pleasantly surprised at the forward speed that the Sport had, really demonstrating how effective the Mirage Drive system is. Using the paddle alone, it felt stable, safe and easy to control. Using the drive system offered more performance, surely making the Hobie Sport one of the fastest sub 3 meter Sit On Tops around. It sailed well too, although the wind was gusting F5 up the estuary so not ideal for the Hobie sport to sail. The Sport was great for our small and medium sized guys, but larger paddlers may want to look at the Outback. Two hatches and rear storage offer ample space for day trips. The Hobie Sport is the true family Sit On Top kayak.
|
|
Chris using the rudder to steer the Sport. |
Simon demonstrating the stability of the Sport |
|
|
Hobie Mirage Outback S.U.V - RRP £1275
The Hobie Outback is best described as the Sports Utility Vehicle' (S.U.V) of the range. The Outback felt like one of the most stable Sit On Tops that many of us had ever paddled and will make a fantastic platform for fishing, diving, photography. It is more accommodating for the larger paddler but also great for smaller paddlers as with all of the Hobbies there is plenty of adjustment to put the paddler in the most comfortable paddling position. The Hobie Outback comes well equipped with four fishing rod holders, 2 hatches and plenty of storage space on deck. As with the other Hobie kayaks the rudder system is superb and the outback maneuvers with ease even without the rudder. The Outback is a manageable size for storage and transport and easily car tops. Our test guys thought that the Outback would be their choice as a fishing or diving platform.
|
|
Bruce pedaling the Outback.... |
....and here, paddling the Outback |
|
|
Hobie Mirage Revolution - £1230
The Hobie Revolution was the most popular kayak with our test crew on the day. It felt like the real all-rounder, a superb balance between speed and stability. It felt sleeker and faster than the Sport and Outback but still stable enough for fishing, touring and exploring. On the day there was a fairly strong wind blowing up the estuary and the Revolution handled the wind and chop superbly. It will suit paddlers of all abilities and a wide range of paddler sizes from children to large adults. Using the drive system the Revolution really took off and was one of the faster boats on the day. It also sailed well and is very well equipped for fishing or diving. We could see why Hobie Kayaks class the Revolution as their Hybrid kayak, with the perfect blend of speed stability and maneuverability.
|
|
Chris accelerating the Revolution |
Revolution being sailed down wind by Bruce |
|
|
Hobie Mirage Adventure
The Hobie Adventure is the fastest in the range, and quite possibly the fastest Sit On Top in the world. The model we tested had the ST turbo fins which is an upgrade kit for the drive system which adds even more speed. The Adventure is the boat to buy if you are looking for speed, tracking ability or looking to cover some more serious distances. Our test team knew how effective the drive system is on the Hobie kayaks but were still amazed at the speed they generate. The Hobie adventure has rod holders and hatches so is still a good option for fishing, especially if you want to get to those hot marks further out. The Adventure has lots of storage space at the rear of the boat but also has a large storage hatch in the bow of the kayak which allows you to take lots of kit and makes weekend trips and adventures easily achievable. As the name suggests we agree this is the kayak for adventures.
|
|
Andy peddling hard in the Adventure |
Simon adjusting for comfort |
|
|
Hobie Adventure Island
Take all of the performance and features of the Hobie Mirage Adventure, add outriggers, a sail kit and dagger board and you have possibly the most versatile watercraft ever. Paddle it, peddle it or sail it. The Adventure Island can be bought complete or an upgrade kit can be purchased to add to your Hobie Adventure.
|
|
Gavin Sailing the Adventure Island |
Side View of Gav sailing Hobie Adventure Island |
|
|
Hobie Mirage Outfitter
The Hobie Outfitter is user friendly and is ideal for solo paddling as well as Tandem. It felt incredibly stable on the water, and cruised through the water with ease. It felt like a two seater version of the Outback, with rod holders strategically positioned and plenty of storage space for fishing gear and kit. It covered the distance easily so would make a great tandem kayak for day trips and exploring, estuarys, creeks, and bays.
Hobie Mirage Oasis
We did not have an Oasis on the day, but it has since been tested. It is longer than the Outfitter and felt a little faster and sleeker through the water, and would cover larger distances with ease. The Oasis is a very stable tandem but not as wide as the Outfitter and with no rod holders would not be as great a fishing platform. If fishing from the kayak is not high on the list of priorities then the Hobie Oasis is fast, stable and the perfect tandem for exploring and adventures. We found that it could be paddle one person as well, and both the Outfitter and Hobie Oasis will take a sail kit too.
|
|
2 person Hobie Fun |
Wow look at that! |
|
|
Hobie kayaks can be purchased from the following stores -
(Please contact us for any further info or to arrange a demo)
|
|
|
|
