Touring - Touring "pedal" kayak, interesting

I guess this is off topic, but it is for touring and you do pedal it. Very interesting drive system, I think it would be great for river, lake or ocean touring. Very simular to bike touring.

http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/models_adventure.html

What do you think?

I have the Hobie Outback fisherman model as do quite a few people around Ocean City/Brigantine area. The Root Beer Barrel started the kayak fishing movement in South Jersey. It has revolutionized kayak fishing. If you are interested in finding out more go to Kayak Fishing Stuff (http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com) (from North Jersey)They have a BB that Matt Miller from Hobie frequent for any questions.

BTW I have a fishfinder, lights, anchor, extra hatch, and ice chest on my outback.

There was one last summer That a local kayak shop was letting people try out. The drive worked good for me but I couldn't go backwards and it didn't manuver well in a tight spot. The crank arms felt sloppy also ,I'm not sure if this was due to wear or design? It still worked well but it just didn't inspire confidence to go a long distance. Overall it was fun but I wouldn't buy it , I would like to try it again in a better hull(longer and narrower) and with a smoother pedal action before I would consider buying one.

I have the Hobie Outback fisherman model as do quite a few people around Ocean City/Brigantine area. The Root Beer Barrel started the kayak fishing movement in South Jersey. It has revolutionized kayak fishing. If you are interested in finding out more go to Kayak Fishing Stuff (http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com) (from North Jersey)They have a BB that Matt Miller from Hobie frequent for any questions.

BTW I have a fishfinder, lights, anchor, extra hatch, and ice chest on my outback.

I rented the outback in Florida this past summer and it worked great, however I'm not much of a fisherman and fishing pretty much sucks here in kentucky. When I was pedaling it around, I said to myself, "If they only made a long touring model that was fast and could pack camping gear than that would be for me!" Well that's what they did, this model just that and I think I must get one! It got great reviews on the web site you mentioned, that looks like a great fishing site. What is the root beer barrel?

I rented the outback in Florida this past summer and it worked great, however I'm not much of a fisherman and fishing pretty much sucks here in kentucky. When I was pedaling it around, I said to myself, "If they only made a long touring model that was fast and could pack camping gear than that would be for me!" Well that's what they did, this model just that and I think I must get one! It got great reviews on the web site you mentioned, that looks like a great fishing site. What is the root beer barrel?

Root Beer Barrell is a surf/kayak shop in Brigantine NJ. Barrell, the owner has been kayak fishing for years. http://www.rbbsurf.com/

For those that have not been HERE (http://www.humanpoweredboats.com/index.htm) yet. You'll find most everything to include pulling water skiers & hydrofoils!!

I have the Hobie tandem. It pedals different than a bike, but it's fun & pretty fast. The drive system used on these kayaks are very impressive.

Mark

I guess this is off topic, but it is for touring and you do pedal it. Very interesting drive system, I think it would be great for river, lake or ocean touring. Very simular to bike touring.

http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/models_adventure.html

What do you think?

As a peddler and paddler I think you can move a kayak more effeciently through water with a regular paddle. Doing both sports allows you to use both upper and lower muscle groups. But that's me and most think I nuts....so take it for what it's worth;-)

This model actually looks like a half-decent sitontop touring kayak. The other Hobie Mirage models were to wide and short to be interesting for me, but this one I'd love to try out. I wonder how the rudder is controlled? if it is done by using one hand, you couldn't use a paddle at the same time of course.. Adding a sail also, you'll have lots of different options..

This model actually looks like a half-decent sitontop touring kayak. The other Hobie Mirage models were to wide and short to be interesting for me, but this one I'd love to try out. I wonder how the rudder is controlled? if it is done by using one hand, you couldn't use a paddle at the same time of course.. Adding a sail also, you'll have lots of different options..

The rudder is hand controlled, but it seems to me that if you are using the paddle you would just retract the rudder and steer with you paddle strokes. I bet you could really move pedaling while under sail!

Your right the other models are very wide and could not be paddled well at all. This one being much more narrow paddles very well according to several reviews that I have read.

I have found a few web-sites with extended kayak and canoe tours, like the full length of the Mississippi, paddling the San Juan Islands and Hood Canal. Seems like a natural for a touring cyclist's cross-over sport. I plan on getting one this spring and giving it a try.

How many $?

Prices start at US$1699. Sailing kit is US$270.
http://www.water-play.com/2003Site/KY_hobie_mirage_advetnure.shtml

Prices start at US$1699. Sailing kit is US$270.
http://www.water-play.com/2003Site/KY_hobie_mirage_advetnure.shtml

Thanks for the links!

The Hobie pedal kayaks are great for things like fishing, where your hands are too busy to paddle. Also good for those with disabilities that would hamper normal paddling. I'm not saying they're bad boats, however, their usefulness ends there. Having flippers under the boat defeats one of a kayak's primary benefits, it's ability to go into extremely shallow water. The flippers also negatively affect the the boat's speed and it's ability to glide through the water. Having a mechanical system in the boat defeats it's simplicity. Serious sea kayaking, the ability to cover long distances in a variety of sea conditions, requires boats that are up to the task. These boats have excellent tracking, stability, and boat speed. None have pedals. The longer a boat, the better it's tracking. A good place to start, if you're serious, would be with boats made by Current Designs. If you really like the Hobie kayaks, I will vouch for the quality of Hobie products. I've owned a Hobie 16 catamaran for 20 years. Fun and fast and built to last!

Tom, have you looked at the Adventure model? it is 16 feet long and quite narrow, none of the previous models would have fit into the "touring" category. I agree that if the majority of your use is shallow water than the flippers are of no use, but if it is just occasional, than they are fine. You can just tuck the flippers against the hull (one foot forward) and paddle or remove the pedal drive altogether and paddle. It seems like this boat is the best of both worlds to me, but I'm no expert.

This (http://www.openwatercycling.com/) is about the right size, kind of pricey, would be better with some sort of cockpit cover/skirt while onboard. Looks like they'd build to suit though.