Hobie Inflatable kayaks are a great option if you don't like towing.

Hobie Inflatable kayaks are a great option if you don't like towing.

We've had our kayaks for awhile so thought it was time for a product review. We got them so we could put them in the Macan rather than towing or putting them on the roof.

They set up really quickly, we use an electric pump with a hand pump finish. With two of us working we can get them in the water in less that 10 minutes as long as the parking location is close to the launch. Usually one of us pumps up the kayaks and the other gets the chairs, paddles and dogs organized then puts away bags as they are no longer needed.

Tear down is a little more involved as we like to wipe it down. Still, working as a team, we can get done in less than 20 minutes as long as the dogs settle down. I've started leashing them to the truck and we're getting better with folding. Once stuff is in the bag the vehicle is finished packing in under 5 minutes.

The kayaking experience is awesome as these are very stable. They kind of have to be since we are constantly maneuvering around with the dogs, either popping them from the back to the front of the seat or in and out of the boat (from the water or other kayak). Fred has been out in whitecaps and the performance was good. I've only been out in wake waves and again, very stable feeling. The mirage drive is great for distances. Needless to say, much easier to peddle than paddle. That said, I find I can paddle as quickly under calm conditions, it's just that my shoulders tire and the dogs can get in the way if they are restless.

Cons - they do take longer to get in the water and they seem heavier but that may be because of the weight distribution when packing up. Fred has had problems with his steering (12'). I finally sewed a bead on each knot to prevent the line from pulling through. According to Hobie, because the tubes that hold the lines can pinch it's important to reduce folding. That's not as much of a factor with the 9' that I have.

Now that we've been using them at least once a week since we got them I feel we've hit the highs and lows. While spendy, they really fit the bill and we should be using them for many, many years.
#Hobie #Kayak