Hobie Passport with a sail?? Where can I demo?

Newbie ISO Kayak & info for bay kayaking. I love fishing, paddling, pedaling- I can launch from my place is Sausalito but getting to the San Rafael bridge Will need to harness the power of the wind.

My plan- buy a passport 12, cuz it’s only 1600 not PA 5k
Pontoons with Sail.

My question is- Where can I demo a passport 12?? That Might also have a sail setup??

Welcome to NCKA MVB 

Welcome to NCKA MVB

Just a warning: If you start sailing your Hobie, you will eventually buy an AI, so you just as well start saving up for it now. There's no escaping it...

You can call first either the Redwood City or the Oakland California Canoe and Kayaks after the SIP is lifted and they are open. I hear they now charge $50 to demo it but will reimburse it if you end up buying one of their boat.

Welcome to the madness too 

I don't see where you're going to install the sail on the passport easily.  Definitely some custom work involved...

And you want to go from Sausalito to SR bridge and back? 
That's a looong haul, even with a sail. 

I've seen the passport in person, IMO, I wouldn't like it on a choppy, windy, or days with heavy whitecaps.  But if you're sailing, you'd need some wind, right?  I'd save up for a TI/AI (there's some affordable used ones for 3k or so), or get a new Revo or Outback.

it is also over 8' long so technically you will need to register it also.

My Compass does have a sail port so no mods needed there. You will need a furling device. Big question is if  the Compass is stable enough to sail without adding an Sidekick Ama or home made outrigger

My Compass does have a sail port so no mods needed there. You will need a furling device. Big question is if  the Compass is stable enough to sail without adding an Sidekick Ama or home made outrigger

I sailed my Hobie Revo 16 (actually, it was called "Adventure" back then, before I got the "Island") without amas quite a bit. It's do-able, you just need to keep ahold of the sheet (aka rope) and be ready to release it instantly. I never went for a swim, but I didn't really push it to the limit either. With amas, it would definitely be more relaxing.

Pretty nice video here of a Revo in mini-AI mode...