new 2009 Adventure...

...coming this Friday 8^)

There are two dealers that sell the Hobie Mirage in Sacramento. One dealer wants me to pay the full price and shipping the other dealer is discounting the retail price, no shipping, and help with rigging when needed. Oh and the lesser cost dealer has the color I want.

If all goes as planned I should be in the water at Lake Natoma by Noon, Friday.

So what accessories should I get the day I buy the Adventure?

Which is the better cart and tires/wheels?

Someone posted the differences between the new and old ST Turbo fins. something about color and stiffness. Which are better?

There are no wrong answers. Thanks.

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Tim
'09 Adventure, Golden Papaya, Turbo Fins, Large Sailing Rudder, Turquoise Sail, Grey Haired Kayaker, ...

Congratulations!

My recommendations in order of priority:
1. Large (sailing) rudder for much better low speed maneuverability (even if you never sail).
2. ST Turbofins for better acceleration and cruising speed. All Turbofins now are the "new" material and have been for awhile. You'll love them!
3. Standard "plug in" cart so you can load and roll your boat right into the water in one trip (cart floats -- stow it in the cargo well)

Your dealer might even install these for you. Call ahead to set this up if he is willing.

These will get you started. The rest depends a lot on your activities. Make sure you have a life vest.

Hi ya Tim
Roadrunners right get all the equipment that he suggests and the sail too if you want to notch up the fun meter.
I would pick up a few different sizes of large "Dry Bags" to store your gear and keep things dry. There are small dry bags for cameras phones and wallets too that are nice to have as well. Some small insulated bags to keep food and drinks cold is good plus make sure most bags will fit inside the main hatch so you can have the top deck space and trunk space available for any large bags ,gear or cart etc.
Some type of large brimmed water hat with a cord as it can get really hot around here on the water. When it is just 80 degrees out, which is mild for here, there is no shade on the water at Natoma and you can get fairly cooked if you are not prepared . Oh yeah some strong sunscreen or sunblock while your at it. Dont forget some comfortable water shoes and clothes that dry quickly after getting wet etc.
A small GPS device is very useful too and we use it to record speed, distance , time and other data. Mine is a wristwatch type Garmin "Foretrex model and has worked well for over two years now.
I also have made a small repair kit loaded with tools, fasteners plus a spare Fin , Mast and Sprocket that always goes with us in case of damage to the mirage drive from any unseen submerged objects.
Have Fun
Kepnutz

did you check out the dealer in Santa Rosa WINDTOYS they have the adventures also and have all of the accessories you should need

707-542-7245

Thanks for the tips on the Dry Bags since I had not thought of that.
I have a Garmin zumo 550 and it is water proof though I need to search for an additional power source. Originally purchased the 550 for a motorcycle, now it will work in my autos, MC and kayak.
Gotta find some good water shoes. Maybe REI has a good selection and I have a 15% coupon.
Good idea on the spare parts. I would not have thought of a spare mast, sprocket or fin. Should I carry the original fins and shafts?
I would like to see your tool kit and where you store it. Let me know if you have time someday.

Thanks.

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Tim
'09 Adventure, Golden Papaya, Turbo Fins, Large Sailing Rudder, Turquoise Sail, Grey Haired Kayaker, ...

Roadrunner,

All of these items are on my list though I was not sure of which cart to get. What wheels are the best to get? I will be launching on most surfaces.

I think the dealer has all of these accessories since they just recieved their Hobie order for 2009.
This shop is a bit unorganized but they have the new 2009 products and accessories.

Thanks.

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Tim
'09 Adventure, Golden Papaya, Turbo Fins, Large Sailing Rudder, Turquoise Sail, Grey Haired Kayaker, ...

sharkfeed2000,

Thanks for the tip on the Santa Rosa store. They are a 210 miles round trip from my home, they do not have any 2009 products, and they are not discounting their 2008 products. I will take my chances with the local store.

Thanks.

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Tim
'09 Adventure, Golden Papaya, Turbo Fins, Large Sailing Rudder, Turquoise Sail, Grey Haired Kayaker, ...

Went to Adventure Sports this morning and they did not have the Adventure in house. This place is a bit unorganized but they are close and have a good price. They checked on the shipment and sent three workers to the warehouse to unload 110 Hobie's (two Adventure's, fifty Outback's, and ...). If I don't get it today I will tomorrow and that would be a true birthday present.

Now I need to update my list of accessories.

They just called and the Adventure will be there in 40 minutes. Out the door...update later.

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Tim
'09 Adventure, Golden Papaya, Turbo Fins, Large Sailing Rudder, Turquoise Sail, Grey Haired Kayaker, ...

Its a done deal!

Bought the Golden Papaya with a Tourquoise / Silver sail. Also got a bunch of accessories though I need to buy the Yakima HullyRollers & Mako saddles to make loading and unloading easier. The Gunwale brackets work well for securing the kayak upside down though the Adventure is not a light kayak and the rollers & saddles will make it easier.

Hopefully tomorrow I will hit the water for pedaling, fishing, and sailing though I need to upgrade to the Turbo Fins and Large Sailing Rudder.

This has been a long day and night. Time to sleep. Hopefully I will take some photos for a report.

Thanks for all of the assistance with this purchase.

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Tim
'09 Adventure, Golden Papaya, Turbo Fins, Large Sailing Rudder, Turquoise Sail, Grey Haired Kayaker, ...

Hey Tim
Congrats on your new Yak and more importantly on being able to retire.
I just retired in May, they were having a sale and a rebate so I took my truck in and re-tired.
I will have to re-tire again in a few more years when these wear out
Any way I am trying to figure out where to take the Tandem today.
Natoma is the easiset closest or Discovery Park since I live near the river but have not made any firm plans yet.
Mrs Keps Sister wants to drive to Susuin City and Kayak down there this afternoon but Im not sure I want to drive that far today..
Im leaning toward local.
Could easily meet you somewhere for your madien voyage if you are going out.
Ill check back in a few hours or you can e-mail me .
Oh yeah loading the kayak on the roof is a pain in the neck by yourself you need a "Trunk Monkey" to help you hurl it up there
Every time I try to get one though they are always on backorder or sold out

Kepnutz

Hey kepnuts I am interested though I ran into a snag. I changed the rudder with no problems and started to change the fins...with a problem. I can't get the mast to break loose so I think I will go back to Adventure Sports to see what they can do. If it breaks I would rather they do it.
I have a BBQ to attend at 1p so it looks like today is a wash for kayaking. Tomorrow looks better for me. Enjoy your yaking today.

Email me and I will give you my phone number.

Tim
[email protected]

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Tim
'09 Adventure, Golden Papaya, Turbo Fins, Large Sailing Rudder, Turquoise Sail, Grey Haired Kayaker, ...