The Dark Side Got A little Darker - Hobie Adventure Rigging

Rigging
Purchased my 2011 Hobie Adventure a few weeks ago at Sunrise Sports in Livermore. Reviewed the posts from MattS (http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,28168.0.html), Tote and others so had a good idea of how I wanted to rig it. My general strategy was to have the paddle and most of the rigging on the left side and have the right side pretty much clear for landing fish and self-rescue. I am right handed and it is easier to gaff big fish with my right hand. I also wanted to keep the front of the cockpit free of permanent rigging for a possible upgrade to the Island sailing kit. I did upgrade to the turbo fins and sailing rudder since most folks recommended it.

Started with the electronics because I had leftover parts in the garage from other projects. Mounted two 1” diamond RAM mounts in the left mesh compartment. This puts the electronics in easy reach and the FF can fold down for surf launches. I used and an Eagle 350 and my handheld Garmin GPS. Next I mounted the transducer behind the Mirage drive so I can reach it through the center hatch. I used the water bath method so I can add water if needed OTW. The foam for the mount is also a nice place to store used fish hooks or bait needles which I always seem to lose. I used a 4.5 amp LiFePO4 battery (http://www.batteryspace.com/lifepo418650battery128v4050mah5184wh7aratewpcb.aspx) which sits in a small Plano box which is secured under the seat with a 12” bungee which hooks onto the forward seat pegs holes. The battery is about the same size a ten AA power supply and powerful enough to run any fish finder, my livewell on a timer and my navigation lights.

Now for a cool innovation, the center hatch Plano box installation. I rigged a double bungee on the inside of the middle hatch. Then I installed a 1.5” brass hooks on the end of the small yellow Plano boxes. Two Plano boxes can be hooked onto the bungee and when you open the hatch, up come the Plano boxes. Unhook the one you want and you are good to go. My pump is secured to the dagger board slot with a 24” bungee. I mounted my Kunz gaff on the right side of the cockpit with a pad eye securing the hook and a bungee securing the handle.

Finally got the rest of the parts from Hook 1 and installed the forward rod holders. I did the same thing as MattS, Scotty flush mounts and Scotty rocket launchers except he did a better job locating the right rod holder. The Scotty rocket launchers come with either a flush mount or deck mount so you don’t have to order the mounts separately. I got the right mount too close to the part that sticks out and ended up using a screw because I couldn’t get the nut on the bolt. Maybe I missed this from Matt’s post but that right rod holder is really hard to get to. My arm is still bruised from threading those nuts.  In retrospect, I would have used rivets or driven to Redding to have Matt help me.

Next was the large Plano box installation in the rear tankwell. I used a rope tie down to hold the front part of the box down and two double brass clips to hold the rear down. It does move a little but safe for surf launches. I did attach a bow line which is held secure by the Mirage drive bungee hook and a leash for the Mirage drive. Installed a removable deck compass to the front of the cockpit using two zip ties with loops and two small anchor shackles. Still have to figure out how to rig the downrigger, but my friend PatR is going to give me a hand. Put on a custom decal with my NCKA handle which I purchased from Cap’n John’s (http://www.boatlettering.net/) and I was ready for a test run.

Design and Performance Review
Did two test runs at Santa Cruz and Monterey. The first thing I noticed was that Hobies are better constructed than most other kayaks I have worked on or paddled. The construction and design details are really unmatched by any other kayak. Kind of reminds me of the Mac vs PC thing. Other yaks get the job done but Hobies are just plain cool and a superior fishing platform. Little things like the factory installed internal floatation foam are really well thought out. The additional mechanical complexity does increase the possibility of failure which is always of concern when you are way offshore but the Mirage drive and rudder seem to be very well constructed and you have a paddle backup. I will say that I would never take my Hobie in tough surf. That is not to say that Hobies shouldn’t be used in the surf zone because I know a lot of people who do. I just prefer a more nimble paddling yak in the surf and wouldn’t want to risk damaging such a fine and expensive kayak. The Adventure weighs about 63# unrigged but feels lighter than my Trident 15 for some reason. Maybe all those RAM mounts on my T15. The next thing I noticed is the seat is pretty comfortable for long periods of time. Pretty uncommon for a stock seat. I find the click in Mirage drive a little buggy to install. Maybe it’s just a learning curve. I wear wading boots so the peddle straps didn’t work for me and the peddles had to be set at the max setting. I am only 5’10” so I wonder how guys 6’4” would fit. Now for the good part, THE BLAZING SPEED.  OMG this boat is a screamer. I did a 12 mile run out of MBK at the Aaron Memorial paddle and averaged over 5 MPH with a top speed of over 6 MPH. The Mirage drive is quieter than paddling also.  I took the Mirage drive out and lifted the rudder and paddled it for a mile or so. It has decent speed but would probably have better speed with the Mirage plug in. It doesn’t track that well however without the rudder and the hand rudder control is a pain when you are paddling. The stability overall is fair-good. The primary stability is a little less than the Trident 15 but the secondary stability is good, however in a short periodicity side swell it is tippier than many until you adjust to it.  The Adventure handles very well in moderate swells. The bow seems to be designed to punch through smaller swells instead of riding over them. So what about fishing? Having your hands free changes how you can fish. It is very similar to fishing from a boat. There is not a single fishing tactic that is not easier in a Hobie. Trolling in particular is so much easier. The only downside that I can think of is getting your line tangled in the Mirage drive if your fish runs under your boat. The tank well is pretty large, big enough for a Golden Retriever or small WSB. My rigging turned out well and there is nothing I would have done differently. I actually rigged it before I peddled it, which is usually not a good idea but the placement of the electronics, compass and gaff came out perfect. I plan to use my Adventure for trout, halibut, salmon, yellow tail and sea bass fishing. It is also going to be my night fishing yak. My Prowler 15 will be my surf and rockfish yak. In conclusion, the Hobie Adventure is a very fast, somewhat stable and comfortable fishing platform with superior design features. Like Macs, if they weren’t twice the cost everyone would own one. 

Scott

Disclosure: I am not sponsored by or have any financial interests in any of the manufacturers or vendors mentioned in this article.

Very cool post Scott! A friend of mine just got an Adventure and I'll have him check out this post before he rigs up anything. Thanks, jim

Welcome to the dark side big fella!  Really nice review.

Your install came out very clean Scott.  I really like the innovation of your tackle box system.  I have been using a rope around the mirage drive and S clips on my boxes.  I find two boxes is plenty for a days worth of gear.  You will really like the Adventure.  I really like mine when the wind and current pick up.  I can easily hold my kayak in the drift, to drop my lures straight down.  It also makes trolling a breeze. 

The rod holders are finicky to install.  I had to use a pair of forceps to get a couple of my nuts started.  I find the flush mounts seem to hold more secure than the raised mounts. 

Surf launching the Adventure makes me nervous, but I have to try it before long.  I want to try some fishing around San Luis and So Cal one of these days, so i need to get some practice.  They seem to launch it in Australia fine, and they have some surf to launch in!

I can't wait to see some fish pictures off the new ride!

Matt

when are you going to install the grab rail at the back of the yak?  You know, the one that I am going to hold onto like a water skier 

Really well written and thorough post. Great info. I'm workin hard and considering the switch myself. Congrats on a successful upgrade!

Thanks for writting up your review on the Adventure Scott. I love my Revolution
which  I use mostly but when it comes to not so friendly launch and landing, the
T13 will be my kayak of choice. Great job on the rigging BTW.

Jedmo

Great write up!

I agree about the mirage drive being a little buggy dropping it in place. I don't quite use the Adventure enough to remember the proper angle where it does that (yep, that's it) solid clunk in place sound. I'm 6 foot 1 inch and my peddle setting seems to work best on 6 (out of 7). 

I bought the air cushion seat pad and mounted it underneath the stock seat. Works great and keeps me above the water that collects in the seat well (unless I'm in sailing mode and there's lots of splash).

I have done virtually nothing with my boat as far as add ons. You and Matt have some great ideas. I bring 3 fishing poles with me and have found that by using one of the paddle bungees on the side of the boat I can hold two of my crappie rods nicely for easy use. I used to just stick them in the back or in the behind the seat rod holders, but the bungee method is simply easier for me.

Very easy for fishing. The speed is simply a marvel on the Adventure...

 

Scott nice write-up, do you think the Adventure is a wetter right then your P15 or is it about the same as your Prowler 15.

Pat R 

Seeing as how you are 5'10", you can't join the Short Asian Guys w/ Adventures Club.     But otherwise, congrats on the Hobie, I see salmon and wsb in your future, maybe even troll up some albies after a year or two of conditioning LOL.  Your installs look clean and well planned as always.
 

Scott nice write-up, do you think the Adventure is a wetter right then your P15 or is it about the same as your Prowler 15.

Pat R

Pat

The adventure is about the same as the prowler as far as being a wet ride. My mirage drive came with an add on plate to cut down on the surge through the mirage drive hole. I haven't installed it yet because I have enough problems installing the drive without it and a wet ride doesn't bother me.

Scott

Clean job Scott and Welcome to the Dark Side... 

 I'm still trying to master rod storage when upon return to the surf zone and find my knee slappers have grown....

 Being I can not stuff rods into the hull of the Outback, I have quick bungees that I can sort of lock my rods flat down on the deck...

 it's not perfect, but it's something,,,  the mirage leash that Tote came up with is nice too, and I never have them in on a surf landing...

I also took the band off the pedals and find it's much easier to get on and off those pedals as well as Totes idea to put a weight to keep pedals at the ready...

when things get crazy... those little mods go a long way....

 Nice Job again...

 I hoping to join the Islander Club in the future....

don't forget the paint mixing bucket.  that's the only way I ever get any utility of that rear hatch otw!

Here is a picture of my lighting rigging. Perko all around 4' mast light with LED navigation lights. I chose the Perko light 5 years ago because there weren't any kayak specific lights with the brightness or height I wanted. Now there are better options like the Visipole II which are designed for kayaks and have good height and brightness. The Perko light is a battery suck and the mount is prone to corrosion but throws a ton of light. If you paddle at night regularly, investing in a full set of lights is a good investment. A head lamp is all that is required by law, but believe me, it's nice to know the PB's can see you at a mile away when they are doing 10-20 knots. Oh yeah, I included some fish porn for your enjoyment. 

Bring the OK to RBC. I've plans for you. Now I know how you steathily snuck up onme at Monterey last Saturday. Ya know I spent alot of time watching Hai and the guy on his old boat sailing to the top, furling and drifting. Only to unfurl and get back to the top effortlessly. Then furl once more and....................... man I have to admit it had me thinking.................... for my 70th birthday that is.

Its a great looking boat Scott. Congrats.