Any fad diets for Hobies? Asking for a friend.

My original fv is a dive yak i got in 1972 - 16’ and i think 45 lbs which i carried on my head down then up steep trails all over the ca coast and rivers

Weight matters for more than transport

Whatever my 575 weighs(i think 63lbs) it’s a dream to handle when you get tossed in rough conditions - just roll it over and climb back on

My 16’ tarpon is pretty manageable but takes a little more effort to flip

I can’t imagine dealing with a hobie flipped in rough water, especially now im old

OMG this originating post is LOL funny.  I was an early Hobie adopter but even then I haaaaaated the weight issue.  And its only gotten worse.  I totally think there is an unaddressed ultra premium market segment for lightweight and durable boats.  Maybe carbon fiber-spine around which PE is blowmolded and encased for abrasion resistance.  Also make mirage drives out of high modulus carbon instead of lead weight pig iron!!!!!

Don't worry, I believe in 10 years NWM will be producing his own 40LB carbon fiber kayak with his new Illusion Drive system that weighs only 1LB and can be 3-D Printed anywhere! 

I've been considering building a fiber over foam kayak for a while. Build the shape with foam, then cover with a couple layers of glass, like a surf board. Probably wouldn't even be that expensive, if I can find materials in bulk.  Just a lot of time/work/mess, haha

Lynx is about 45 lbs. I easily lift it over my head to cartop. Lack of storage though and harder to surf launch. I think they could improve on some things and keep it under 55 lbs.

Don't worry, I believe in 10 years NWM will be producing his own 40LB carbon fiber kayak with his new Illusion Drive system that weighs only 1LB and can be 3-D Printed anywhere! 

Illusion Drive.... I might need to trademark that...

Actually, my Illusion Drive(TM) is heavier than the standard GT drive, as I've got solid crank arms, uses more chain, and I'm working on solid aluminum drums and sprockets. My goal has been indestructibility, not light weight.

I've been considering building a fiber over foam kayak for a while. Build the shape with foam, then cover with a couple layers of glass, like a surf board. Probably wouldn't even be that expensive, if I can find materials in bulk.  Just a lot of time/work/mess, haha

I always thought a cool project would be to build a mold from a Hobie Island, and then use it to make a carbon fiber version. I wonder how much weight savings there would be...

I've been considering building a fiber over foam kayak for a while. Build the shape with foam, then cover with a couple layers of glass, like a surf board. Probably wouldn't even be that expensive, if I can find materials in bulk.  Just a lot of time/work/mess, haha

I always thought a cool project would be to build a mold from a Hobie Island, and then use it to make a carbon fiber version. I wonder how much weight savings there would be...

Ooo... That would be cool too!

When I first joined I didn't have a kayak but was seriously considering getting one. Things changed fast when I won a Native Slayer peddle drive in a raffle here. It weighed over a 100 pounds without the drive unit, and getting off the car was the last time I handled it.  At that time I just couldn't see myself getting it on and off the car without help.

Decided to sell it and get something light. Ended up with the Eddyline Caribbean 14, and have been super happy with it over the last 6 years. Last year I was trying to decide between getting a Revo, or a Stealth Pro Fisha 475. I called Ruben to find out how long it would take to get one of the 475s, and he said about six months minimum, however he let me know that he was getting a shipment in a week, and would have every model available including a Carbon 475.

Ended up with the Elite 525 after reading some reviews, and because it is lighter than the 475 carbon. My Eddyline is probably up from 50lbs to 70lbs with all of the permanent add-ons. The Elite is 50lbs plus the transducer so it is easier to move around than the Eddyline.

So Lightweight is the way to go for me.

Mark,

I've got my eye on a Caribbean 14 FS, mainly because of the weight. If you're willing to answer some questions:

How stable is the C14? I'm on a Hobie Compass now and it is really stable.  Compass is 34" wide IIRC. C14 is 29".

Does your C14 have a well for a transducer, or do you have to drop it over the side?

Could you mount a scotty flush mount on the gunwale for something like a mini downrigger? I'm not talking about a track mount, but actual drilling holes.

The Compass is possibly the lightest 12+ pedal kayak out there but I can tell I'm going to need something lighter in the coming years. And it looks like I will need to give up pedaling to do it.

Mark,

I've got my eye on a Caribbean 14 FS, mainly because of the weight. If you're willing to answer some questions:

How stable is the C14? I'm on a Hobie Compass now and it is really stable.  Compass is 34" wide IIRC. C14 is 29".

Does your C14 have a well for a transducer, or do you have to drop it over the side?

Could you mount a scotty flush mount on the gunwale for something like a mini downrigger? I'm not talking about a track mount, but actual drilling holes.

The Compass is possibly the lightest 12+ pedal kayak out there but I can tell I'm going to need something lighter in the coming years. And it looks like I will need to give up pedaling to do it.

I had a C14 for a couple of years. I would have kept it, but I got a Hobie Adventure (same as Revo 16) and then an AI, and I didn't have space for the Eddyline.

As I recall the C14 had better primary stability than the Adventure/Revo 16. I've never tried a Compass, so I can't compare to that.

On my C14, I mounted a couple of round Scotty mounts on that roundish flat area just behind the seat. I never tried using a downrigger, but if you install a backing plate, I think those mounts could handle anything. The plastic rails were a bit flimsy, and I would not attach anything too demanding to those.

Mark,

I've got my eye on a Caribbean 14 FS, mainly because of the weight. If you're willing to answer some questions:

How stable is the C14? I'm on a Hobie Compass now and it is really stable.  Compass is 34" wide IIRC. C14 is 29".

Does your C14 have a well for a transducer, or do you have to drop it over the side?

Could you mount a scotty flush mount on the gunwale for something like a mini downrigger? I'm not talking about a track mount, but actual drilling holes.

The Compass is possibly the lightest 12+ pedal kayak out there but I can tell I'm going to need something lighter in the coming years. And it looks like I will need to give up pedaling to do it.

I really do not have anything to compare the C14 to as far as stability but I haven't had any issues.

Mine does not have a transducer well so I have a Hook2 transducer glued inside, and a Raymarine that hangs off the side.

I use a downrigger mounted on the rail with a double attachment mount.

I think you will really like a C14. I still use mine for fresh water. Let me know if you would like pictures of any of the mounting. I have drilled around 60 holes for stuff above the water line for all of the stuff I have. If you mount something like a downrigger you will need a backing plate.

Thank you. It's my frontrunner for a new boat.

Not sure I understand the "transducer glued inside" description. Doesn't it need to be in the water to work?

Thank you. It's my frontrunner for a new boat.

Not sure I understand the "transducer glued inside" description. Doesn't it need to be in the water to work?

You can glue in downscan transducers but not side scan ones. I used Lexel, and you can use silicone as well. Just need to make sure there are no bubbles in the glue. I thought about a water bath but I fish the East Bay lakes, and you cannot have any water in the hull. It’s not very easy to remove the transducers when you glue them in. I removed the one in the picture, and then put it back later because the Hook2 is a quick setup for use in the lakes. In the ocean I use the Raymarine because it has relief shading.

I watch Kayak Dan from Headwaters and he was paddling a 14 foot Stellar Sit in, and I follow a couple of guys up here who fish big blue from sit insides.  At 37 lbs that stellar has a nice read deck for a track system for rods and tackle.  Trying to troll from forward of your seating position on the 555 doesn't work for me, and I have kind of given up on trying.  This year I think it is going to be a clip on bell on the rod to let me know when I have a strike if I am trolling.

Side note, glad this keeping some of you entertained!