Hobie Quest = Sean / Scwafish

Hey Sean - I noticed you were riding the Hobie Quest during your trip to "Disneyland" ....
Anyway, I just wanted to know your feedback regarding this particular kayak. I've done a few test rides on this kayak and I found it to be very comfortable and paddles pretty nice. I also like the easy access on the front hatch - I can actually scoot up and store rods easily. I tried doing this on my P15 and it felt really tippy 

In the future, I'd like to get another kayak (that is cheap) that I can use as renter.

I'm really interested to hear you thoughts 

PS: I'm not too crazy about the rod holders on the rear - seems a bit too far to reach for  and the side pockets collect water - no drain for it 

I do like the huge tankwell and I like how you can open the front hatch with one hand 

Joel:

Spent a lot of time in this boat in Mex...pretty much hogged it the whole time I was there.  Like everything pros and cons, but overall I think this is a nice yak.

The Pros:

-Great front hacth even though it looks like a toilet seat.  A better shape would help long rods go in easier and make it look less potty-ish
-Gimbled foot rests best I have ever tried
-Nice ez to rig console
-Good dimensional compromise, reasonably speedy and stable
-Good built in paddle clips
-Excellent mold quality
-Smart drain plug

The Cons

-Hobies new obsession with no rocker and plumb bows make this boat no fun in wind chop, I got blown out early twice
-WET footwells...although they made a great secondary bait tank
-WET seat
-Rod holders are parralel making the rod tips too close together, trolling 2 rods (something I like to do) impossible
-No forward flush mounts, or a space for them
-Forward seat mounts too close to be as effective as possible

A little revision and this boat could be a great yak.

Thanks brah 

No worries.  Not sure how good of a North Coast boat this would make, but it would be great on lakes etc.  When the wind was down in baja it was in its element.

I still can't get over the size of that roosterfish  Do they even get bigger than that?

They do, but that one is in the "trophy" class, especially for a yak.  Definitely made my trip, I am just stoked the moment was captured!

I'm sure "Hobie Kayak" would like to get hold of that picture for a promo ad (too bad - "conflict of interest" )

I have a an older Quest, and have been happy with it.  In Texas the wet seat/ wet feat thing was not a big deal, in fact I never really bothered me.  Then my fiancee and I went paddling one day after I moved out here and my feet were numb (not used to this cold bay water).  I fixed that problem quickly, and bought a pair of divers/surfer neoprene socks.  I find the boat to be really stable and well made.  I got caught on a strainer on the Brazos river (in Texas) after some heavy rain fall and I was tossed but the boat was hung up and was taking a lot of heavy pounding from the river, and it didn't buckle or flex. Not as fast as some other SOT's but I have been happy with it.  I like the fact that even though my quest was an early model all the newer Hobbie parts fit it.   

Here are some of my rigged Quest Pics.

At the time I found two old plastic chairs worked okay for a stand.  Notice I am using a double milkcrate set up (I wanted to see if it would fit).  I like taking a label maker and and making a label for the box, then using some packing tape over the label so it doesn't peel easily.  The net is a motorcycle cargo net $5.99 at Cycle gear.