New OK yak with trolling motor

[Green Light]

Nice design.

Three questions come to mind:

1. What "range" will a fully charged 30 lb Pb battery yield?
2. If the battery runs out of juice, how would paddling the yak with all that weight feel?
3. Where can I test drive one?

Again, nice design.

[Raven]

i think he said around 5 hours
of constant use....

i get about that much in my john boat or a little more

I like the steering system controlled with your feet-that rocks
the shut off feature, the rudder and speed adjustment are real cool options ...

while i like the Hobie concept i don't like pedaling
when i can adjust the dial... or crank the handle
of a trolling motor

in the best world :
you'd have this set up "in a hobie"
for when the battery goes dead then you can paddle or
pedal ..... your way back and not be stuck

in my case i got blown to the opposite shore in fierce winds.........
the battery was real low and couldn't deal with
25 mph gusts...so then i had to get out and tow the boat
back on foot.... which is why i want both systems!

[Green Light]

Originally Posted by Raven

i think he said around 5 hours
of constant use....

i get about that much in my john boat or a little more

I like the steering system controlled with your feet-that rocks
the shut off feature, the rudder and speed adjustment are real cool options ...

while i like the Hobie concept i don't like pedaling
when i can adjust the dial... or crank the handle
of a trolling motor

in the best world :
you'd have this set up "in a hobie"
for when the battery goes dead then you can paddle or
pedal ..... your way back and not be stuck

in my case i got blown to the opposite shore in fierce winds.........
the battery was real low and couldn't deal with
25 mph gusts...so then i had to get out and tow the boat
back on foot.... which is why i want both systems!

Good feedback. Great point. hobie-style paddles + battery/motor would be a really cool combo.

[striperman36]

Can you buy a hobie power insert seperately?

[Raven]

Originally Posted by striperman36

Can you buy a hobie power insert seperately?

i think so

if my memory serves me correctly

[eastendlu]

I heard hobie is working on a model that will incorporate both technologies.

[BradS]

in the best world :
you'd have this set up "in a hobie"
for when the battery goes dead then you can paddle or
pedal ..... your way back and not be stuck

in my case i got blown to the opposite shore in fierce winds.........
the battery was real low and couldn't deal with
25 mph gusts...so then i had to get out and tow the boat
back on foot.... which is why i want both systems![/QUOTE]

Raven

If you're willing and able to make the investment why not get the Hobie Adventure Island for about twice the price as the Outback.

The A.I. is fast, and with outriggers (aka's and ama's) has about a 9 ft beam so it's solid as a rock or you can fish it Hawaiian style with just one outrigger like I do and still have great stability.

With the 52 sq ft roller furling sail (15 ft mast), when it gets real windy, instead of getting blown to the opposite shore you can put up the sail and have a ball.

Lately, when I hear a "small craft advisory" broadcast, which I believe means 15-20 kt winds I can't help grinning, pump my fist in the air and go sailing or high speed trolling for bluefish. No kidding.

It's also a great conversation starter as people are always walking up and commenting about what a nice looking rig it is or commenting about the great job I did retrofitting my kayak with sail, outriggers etc. I guess most people here in Rhode Island haven't even seen a picture of one and I've never seen another one on the water.

Youtube has some great videos taken from the seat of a Hobie A.I. under sail if you want to check it out.

Brad

p.s. The quality of the boat and components is outstanding.