Small SUV For Kayak Fishing

I'm lovin my even smaller 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek.  The handling and road hugging is awesome. I have heard that some people have had to beef up the rear suspension to improve the handling on the newer model Outbacks.
True, the audio system on most Subarus is not that great and it is small storage wise for extended family trips, but for two kayak fishermen on a mission it's great. Good ground clearance for going down to spots like TC etc, yet the lower roof sure makes loading a lot easier.
 The mileage I was getting (26 MPG all around ) was not as good as advertised, perhaps in part to ethanol in the gas. I upped the octane from 87 to 89 and am now getting 28 MPG all around.
The 2014 XV is supposed to be available in a Hybrid

saw this for you subaru lovers. Looks like a pretty nice one , goes on auction in a few weeks , plenty of time to save up!

http://www.westauction.com/auction/931/item/59124

I'm lovin my even smaller 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek.  The handling and road hugging is awesome. I have heard that some people have had to beef up the rear suspension to improve the handling on the newer model Outbacks.
True, the audio system on most Subarus is not that great and it is small storage wise for extended family trips, but for two kayak fishermen on a mission it's great. Good ground clearance for going down to spots like TC etc, yet the lower roof sure makes loading a lot easier.
 The mileage I was getting (26 MPG all around ) was not as good as advertised, perhaps in part to ethanol in the gas. I upped the octane from 87 to 89 and am now getting 28 MPG all around.
The 2014 XV is supposed to be available in a Hybrid

Do you have 10K on Crosstrek? if not plz wait, new Subaru engines become more up to docs about this magic number

i have 27k on my 2.0L impreza (same engine as the crosstrek) and i'm still getting 27-28mpg. i may have a lead foot though

Yes the XV is an Impreza Sport with lift and beefed up suspension. The lift (same clearance as the Outback) is suposed to  decrease the mileage by 1 MPG. However the XV has the CVT transmission which ups the mileage. My onboard computer mileage display reads about 1.5 MPG high when compared to the real mileage calculated by dividing miles driven by gallons used.

why not a small truck? You can sleep comfortable as well.......

Well it's been a few weeks and I finally made my first kayak fishing trip in it and will have to say it is great for what we do. I can fit everything for the AI in the back with the back seats up although I lose the rear visibility but I have a camera, Get's good milage, good antilock brakes, turns on a dime, what's not to like. I landed on Saturday with Raydon and was joking with him that I could fit in in Marin now that I owned a Subaru. He laughed and said I would never fit in, in Marin.  Ray knows me too well. Great little truck though and great for kayak fishing.

Scott

   Congrats,,,   now it just needs the NCKA sticker.   

I have a little 88 bronco 2 eddie bauer edition with the racks right from the factory I love it for fishing just fold the seats down load up and go!

WTG Scott, GF and I were looking hard at the Imprezza a few months back, but toyota had a clearance price on the Camry Hybrid that was to good to pass up.  I still use the beater Toyota for kayaking but still get green with Baru envy.  My all time favorite was the brat, damn those things were so much fun to drive in wet New England snow and slush!

Looks Great Scott.   How does the car handle with your Kayak on the freeway?

Intresting find.  If ever you needed to tow your 2014 Forester.

towing the Forester: manual transmission 2.5i, 2.5i Premium can be flat towed (all wheels on the ground) behind a motorhome. All CVT models must be towed with all wheels off the ground.

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/forester/forester2014.html

Look under Trailer Towing.

So that was you we saw leaving mooch memorial at hmb Scott. My wife and I were driving in and we saw a yellow AI with one ama and I didn't recognize the car. Now I know it was your new forester.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Intresting find.  If ever you needed to tow your 2014 Forester.

towing the Forester: manual transmission 2.5i, 2.5i Premium can be flat towed (all wheels on the ground) behind a motorhome. All CVT models must be towed with all wheels off the ground.

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/forester/forester2014.html

Look under Trailer Towing.

Good to know. Luckily a motorhome isn't in the plans.  Dog friendly hotel or sleeping in the back of the truck. Some of the Subaru reviews didn't like the CVT but I really like it. I am getting 29 MPG around town and 24-25 MPG pulling the AI.

Intresting find.  If ever you needed to tow your 2014 Forester.

towing the Forester: manual transmission 2.5i, 2.5i Premium can be flat towed (all wheels on the ground) behind a motorhome. All CVT models must be towed with all wheels off the ground.

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/forester/forester2014.html

Look under Trailer Towing.

Good to know. Luckily a motorhome isn't in the plans.  Dog friendly hotel or sleeping in the back of the truck. Some of the Subaru reviews didn't like the CVT but I really like it. I am getting 29 MPG around town and 24-25 MPG pulling the AI.