In the market for a new kayak?
We are going to be taking an in depth look at the kayaks from Hobie. This company sells a variety of different boat products, and an array of kayaks as well. Are they worth your money and time? Do they have the features you need out of a kayak? Let’s find out.
How Do We Rate Products?
Source: Pixabay
So how do we choose our ratings for the products we talk about?
The most important aspects for us are being as honest and accurate as possible in our reviews. To do this, we take a few additional steps in our research.
We make sure to read and research customer reviews and testimonials online. This allows us to get a broad, unbiased view of what the general public thinks of the product we are reviewing. It also lets us see if there are any widespread issues or complaints that need to be addressed.
On top of that, we research the company itself. Customers like to buy products from an upstanding company that they can trust and stand behind, so if we find anything unlikeable, we share it in the review as well. This also extends to their warranty and return policies, their general customer service, and the quality of their products.
The last thing we research is the product specifications and features. We are as thorough as possible so that when you purchase something we have reviewed, you know exactly what you are buying.
What is the Hobie Kayak and How Does it Work?
Hobie has many different kayaks, which we will discuss more below. They are all different prices and sizes, depending on what your needs are.
Their products are incredibly colorful and aesthetically pleasing. The kayaks that they offer are made of Rotomolded Polyethylene, and you are able to choose between a rainbow of colors for each design they have.
Source: Hobie
Hobie kayaks have an incredibly versatile design, but it is also very simple. They are very popular, mostly because of their excellent quality and great build. The company has three different lines of Mirage kayaks: The Island Series, the Pro Angler series, both single and tandem Mirage kayaks, and then inflatable Mirage kayaks. Total, there are sixteen different models, that all come in a variety of different colors and sizes.
Each design comes with the Hobie Vantage seat, as well as a paddle, rudder system, and a sail mast port. Every one of the Hobie Mirage kayaks can be equipped with the company’s standard sail kit if you want.
The twist and stow rudder system is incredibly durable and versatile, mostly because of the features of the sailing rudder upgrade, which increases the size to make sailing much easier. To deploy and retract the rudder, you simply pull the up/down rudder lines.
What Makes the Hobie Kayak Unique
The most special aspect of the Hobie kayaks is their versatility. Between their various designs, colors, and features, these are one of the most versatile set of kayaks on the market today.
Their seats also have several different seating positions, which allows each kayaker to find their own comfort in sitting in one of these kayaks. This is an amazing feature, because it ensures that you are not as fatigued when rowing, and it really increases the overall experience in the boat due to your comfort and ease.
Lastly, in addition to the kayaks being able to use the company’s standard sailing kit, Hobie also makes a furling kit, and add-on inflatable pontoon stabilizers. These are a really nice feature because it is able to turn any of the Mirage kayaks into a very affordable and versatile sail craft.
Pricing
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The pricing varies for the Hobie kayaks, depending on which one you decide to purchase and the retailer you decide to buy from.
Depending on the design you go from, the pricing goes from around $800 up to $3,000. The cheapest designs on the list are the Hobie Lanai, and among the most expensive are the Hobie Mirage Sport and the Hobie Mirage i9s.
Having such a wide range when it comes to Hobie products is another great feature of theirs. No matter what your budget is, it is fairly easy to find a kayak that matches your needs as well as your wallet’s.
Public Perception (Other Hobie Kayak Reviews)
Now that we have looked at the Hobie kayak features, let’s take a look at what other customers thought of their products.
Positives
Price to Quality Ratio
One of the features that is praised the most frequently is the price to quality ratio. As we have discussed previously, these kayaks have an incredible build, design, and features. The price that you pay for any of these kayaks is completely reasonable for the quality you are getting out of them. Having a kayak that is within your budget and has every feature you can imagine is a really fantastic deal.
Adjustable Seats
Another aspect that customers mentioned was the fact that the seats in the Hobie kayaks are adjustable. Having different options for how you sit in the boat, instead of being forced into one rigid position. Most users of these kayaks were able to find a position that worked really well for them, which made their rides much more enjoyable.
Excellent Customer Service
Customers also loved how they were treated by the company. Having excellent customer service is a huge quality that cannot be valued enough, and it looks like Hobie has it. Buyers that have had to contact the company say that they are efficient, incredibly kind, and willing to fix any situation, no matter what it is. Customer service representatives are the face of any company, and are a great indicator of their values, which is a great sign for Hobie.
Additional Features and Functionality
Another feature that was well loved by buyers was all the additional features that come with the Hobie kayaks. The paddle and rudder were praised by many customers, saying that they were also designed incredibly well and made of very high-quality material. On top of that, they are said to have excellent functionality.
Variety of Designs and Colors
Having so much variety in the designs and colors was something else that customers loved. Each kayak comes in an array of beautiful and bright colors, and they all have unique bodies and designs. No matter what you are looking for in a kayak, Hobie has a design that will be aesthetically pleasing for you.
Great for Beginners
Lastly, many buyers who were beginners when it came to the world of kayaking have stated that this was a fantastic first choice for one. The Hobie kayaks were said to be incredibly stable, easy to put together, and to learn to row on. So if you are someone who wants a beginner kayak, purchasing one from Hobie is definitely a safe choice.
Negatives
Now despite all of the many, many praises that customers had for this company and their kayaks, there are some potential shortcomings to keep in mind as well.
Difficult to Stand Up in
The biggest complaint that we came across was simply that the kayaks were very, very difficult to stand up in. If you are someone who likes to stand up and stretch while rowing in one of these, they are apparently not able to balance you easily for more than a few seconds. However, a lot of this will depend on your own balancing abilities as well. If you are someone who is not able to balance on something fluid easily, this may be something you think about before purchasing a Hobie kayak.
Very Dense and Large Kayaks
Another feature that was brought up a few times by buyers was simply that Hobie has some very dense and large kayaks. If you are by yourself and have difficulty with moving heavy objects around, their products could be difficult for you. This is most likely partially because their products are made of a high-quality, dense material, but it is still important to keep in mind. It also could negatively affect your speed, as the weight and size will slow you down. For those of you who need something really light, this may not be the best choice.
Water Build Up in the Foot Rests
Lastly, a decent number of users have mentioned that water does build up in the foot rests when you use these kayaks. This is a fairly common occurrence, but it can still be irritating and inconvenient when it happens.
None of these are necessarily deal breakers but depending on what you are looking for these are important qualities to keep in mind before making a purchase.
How it Compares
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As far as other brands and designs go, Hobie kayaks can really hold their own. Among other options for kayaks, the prices do vary of course, but Hobie products are right in the middle. They have some designs that are on the cheaper side, and some that are more moderate to higher prices.
The materials that Hobie uses for their kayak are among the highest quality and will last you a very long time. While there are other companies that make high quality products, Hobie kayaks are among the best of the best.
As far as variety and versatility is concerned, Hobie products are also at the top of that list as well. The company has a huge selection when it comes to designs and builds for canoes and kayaks, and they have about half a dozen choices for colors too.
Our Final Thoughts
Source: Pexels
We hope you enjoyed our review of the Hobie kayaks, and that it was helpful in your decision to purchase one. Finding the best brand for your needs can be difficult if you aren’t sure what you should be looking for.
These kayaks are an amazing quality and value for what they cost, and you have so many different builds to choose from. No matter what your price range, aesthetic, or seating needs, Hobie has you covered.
If you have previously purchased a Hobie kayak, what were your thoughts? Would you recommend it to others looking for a kayak?
Last update on 2023-09-27 at 08:43 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
