Innovation with Kayak Propulsion - New Ideas!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to my fellow Islanders!

As we approach 2026....the innovation in the electric propulsion for kayaks continues to evolve.... with many new and creative ideas.... on motors....integrations with the kayak.... and batteries...

I like the innovation brought forth by the FluxJet Kayak team..... where a very efficient and innovative jet drive that is mounted flush with the bottom of the kayak (nothing sticks out the bottom of the kayak) which can move forward in just inches of water. Take a few minutes to view the YouTube video taken at ICAST 2025 to give you an overview of these new ideas!

https://youtu.be/TwxvBkou7i8?si=RagXQaZGMliq8pHM

Obviously this would not fit any (current) Hobie island hulls, but it does represent an example of where creativity is taking the kayak industry.

The FluxJet Kayak team landed two 2025 ICAST awards for their innovative designs..... for the cost of a competitor electric motor and battery....you can get a well laid out kayak with a motor (list price is $2999 for the FluxJet Kayak (minus the battery)).

I am hoping the new owners of Hobie....are open to busting out some innovation in the kayak space .... and maybe a partnership with FluxJet to license the design in future Hobie kayak hulls. Love to see the TI center hull refreshed.... as previously posted:

https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic. ... re#p333880

Keep sailing and having fun in the Islands!

_________________
Jim
Hobie TI 2022 - Offshore rig - Outboard - having fun!
Hobie TI 2021 - Offshore rig - Outboard - sold
Hobie TI 2016 - Offshore rig - Outboard - sold
Hobie Kona 2014
Hobie AI 2015 - sold
Hobie Rev 13 2014 - sold
Hobie Outback - 2008 - sold

If you want to try something like this, you can get a Kayak/SUP jet drive pretty cheap off alibaba. You won't hit 30 knots but uhh... do you want to? This tech has been readily available in the form of Salt Water DC Fish Tank Pumps for a hot minute. Getting cheaper every day!

vr
Mei

They are working out the kinks for using pulsejets on water. Below appears to be the old flapper valve approach, but that youtuber often builds the valveless approach - no moving parts! I figure it would be good for those lakes that ban Hobie mirage drives because "mechanisms" aren't allowed to intrude.

what if you like your hearing? lol