How to choose the perfect Hobie Kayak for you
There are over 20 kayaks in the Hobie range with good reason so that you can find the perfect one for you. At first, the sheer number in the range may feel daunting, but don’t worry our team is happy to find out your requirements and help match you to the perfect kayak for you.
If you would like to do some research before you contact us why don’t you explore our Virtual Boat Show The Virtual Boat Show allows you to explore the range of Hobie Kayaks from the comfort of your own home.
Demonstration models available at Poole
Choosing and trying Hobie Kayaks
Once we have narrowed your choice to two or three kayaks that would potentially suit your needs – we are then able to offer a demonstration on the water. The demo gives you the chance to get a real feel for the boat before making your purchase. We carry a good selection of new and used kayaks as well as all the accessories that you might need for your kayak. Once you have chosen your kayak we can either supply it straight away if it is in stock or we will order it in and it will be ready for you to collect within a few weeks. We like to carry out a thorough handover of the kayak, ensuring that you know how everything works. We also go through the loading and transporting or your kayak so that you have a good understanding of how to use your kayak before leaving us. Kayak handovers and demos can also be arranged at other locations by appointment. If you would like any accessories fitted to your kayak, we offer a free fitting service on all new kayaks, and we can advise you on the best accessories to suit your needs. All electronics from Lowrance Fishfinders to Rebelcell batteries can be installed and activated for you.
Hobie Compass with Sail Kit
The Choice of Hobie Kayaks for 2019/2020
There is a huge range of kayaks from Hobie, here they are ordered by size and function. All the Hobie kayaks are set up for fishing but come are fishier than others.
Single Kayaks
- The Hobie Passport 10.5
- The Hobie Revolution 11
- The Hobie Passport 12
- The Hobie Revolution 13
- Hobie Compass
Double Kayaks
Inflatable Kayaks
Fishing Specialised Kayaks
- Hobie Compass Camo
- Hobie Outback
- Hobie Outback Camo
- Hobie Pro Angler 12 360
- Hobie Pro Angler 14 360
- Hobie Pro Angler 12
- Hobie Pro Angler 14
- Hobie Pro Angler 12 Camo
- Hobie Pro Angler 14 Camo
- Hobie Pro Angler 17T
Sailing Trimarans
Selecting your perfect Hobie Kayak
When trying to select the perfect kayak, there are a few factors to consider.
· Your size.
· The activity you would like to do with your kayak; sailing, fishing, exploring, photography.
· Your budget
· Storage
· Plans for transporting your kayak.
YOUR SIZE
Let’s start with your size – this is relatively simple to answer. Bigger people need bigger kayaks! Take a look at the capacity of the kayaks and see which suits you best. If you are into fishing remember to take into consideration the weight of your fishing accessories and all the fish that you are bound to catch!
Also, take into consideration the type of seat offered on the kayak. For example – if you are on the bigger side, you may appreciate the ST and XT seats that are fitted on the Pro Angler, they are taller and wider. If you are on the small side a larger, wider fishing kayak like the Pro Angler 14 may just be too much of a good thing. Smaller people find smaller kayaks like the Revolution 11 or the new Passport really easy to propel and maneuver both on land and on the water.
THE KIND OF ACTIVITY YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO
Hull Shape – There are different hull shapes within the Hobie range that are suited to different types of activity and different kinds of water. For example, longer more slender kayaks like the revolution 16 are better suited to long-distance and open seas whereas shorter kayaks like the Revolution 11 are quicker to turn and pivot making them better suited to handle the sharp turns of a narrow river.
Stability – Hobie Kayaks are pretty stable across the range, with some offering even great stability than others. In all the years of selling and demonstrating the kayaks, we are yet to capsize a kayak. We are not saying it is impossible, just unlikely. If you were to take one of the narrower, faster hull shapes like the Revolution out onto the open sea and get hit sideways by a big wave then there is a possibility of capsizing. The majority of the Hobie Kayaks are incredibly stable and Hobie promotes them as a great platform for standing up to fish.
Kayak Fishing – Generally speaking, competitive anglers like to have aboard plenty of fishing equipment, and that requires space. The wider, more spacious kayaks with larger carrying capacity like the Pro Angler series or the Outback are ideally suited to this. That said, all of the Hobie Mirage Kayaks are kitted out with rod holders with space to install accessories and can be used easily by keen anglers both recreational and competitive. If you would like to know more about why Hobie Kayaks are so perfectly suited to fishing then read our article ‘Why choose a Hobie Kayak for Fishing.’
MirageDrive – There are now 4 different types of Mirage Drive available on Hobie Kayaks. There is the MirageDrive Classic, the MirageDrive GT Kick-Up, the MirageDrive 180 GT Kick-Up and finally the Mirage Drive 360 Kick-Up. If all that makes your head spin then you can read an in-depth description of all the available MirageDrives, their uses and the kayaks that they are available in – ‘Which MirageDrive?‘
Recreational kayakers also appreciate stability especially when they are new to the sport. The Hobie Passport is a really stable platform for fishing or exploring and is great for rental centres where business owners can send out beginners without having to worry.
Sailing – If you would like to use the wind to help you explore on your Hobie Kayak then the best choice is, of course, the Hobie Tandem Island or the Hobie Adventure Island. These are not kayaks with a sail, they are a proper sailing boat that can sail on any point of sail and are suitable for sailing in any conditions from rivers to the open sea. The great thing about the Hobie Island Kayaks is the freedom that they give you to explore. If you need any further proof of their suitability as a sea-going boat then Lars Simonsen and his family took 2 Hobie Tandem Islands from Copenhagen to Istanbul via rivers, canals, and the open sea. If you would like to know more about Lars’ story visit the Youtube channel.
All of the other kayaks in the range have an accessory mount where you can fit a mast and sail. These sails will give you an extra bit of fun across or downwind. The Revolution 16 with it’s centreboard is one of the best suited to adding a sail, particularly if you also add inflatable amas for extra stability.
BUDGET
There is a Hobie kayak to suit most budgets. It is worth mentioning that Hobies are a premium product that require very little in the way of maintenance. They are well supported by your friendly Hobie dealer and their resale value is relatively good. We are always happy to take a trade-in or resell your used boat for you.
If you have a limited budget then we always carry a range of used boats as well as the option to finance your Hobie Kayak over 12 months interest-free.
Hobie launched the new Hobie Passport 10.5 in 2019. The new Passport has a mirage drive and comfortable seat as well as rod-holders and plenty of onboard capacity for extra accessories and it is priced at a very reasonable £1550.
For 2020 Hobie have released a brand new kayak the Hobie Passport 12, a larger version of the Passport suited to bigger people and priced at £1750.
STORAGE
If storage is a challenge for you then the range of inflatable Hobie Kayaks are easy to inflate/deflate and store in handy carry bags with wheels. They have been particularly popular with people with camper vans and also as a fun alternative to the yacht tender (they also have the added benefit of taking away the hassle of engine maintenance.)
The smaller kayaks can be stored in most garages and larger kayaks can be stored outside. Custom covers are also available for kayaks that are stored outside. We will talk you through the best way to store your Hobie kayak when you come for your demo or boat handover.
Hobie Island Kayaks can be quickly dismantled for easier storage so that they take up only as much space as the central hull. You can also choose to store your Island Kayak on one of our custom built trailers with moulded holders so that the kayak can be left on the trailer long-term.
TRANSPORT
However, you would like to transport your kayak, we can help! As part of the process we will advise you on the best option for transport for your kayak and your vehicle and we will also take you through the loading and unloading process as part of your boat handovers so that you when you leave us you are confident in transporting your boat.
Call us for advice
If you would like to talk through your options with one of our team, give us a call. We can help you narrow down your choices and then book you in for a demo, any time of year. We are happy to help!