Would you buy this?

Haven't replied to the last few "go for it!" posts because, frankly, I've been pondering my sanity. Also scheming, obsessing, and practicing various persuasion tactics on Friend. Will post when I have results of one kind or another to announce. Glad to hear that Adventure will fit on Civic. Revo, I'll be watching for your pictures. Sounds like tremendous fun. Thanks for posting the map; I'll follow you on Google Earth.

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Becky
Crystal River, FL

The Revolution is an excellent all around boat; but as Apalach points out, it is a compromise compared with the faster, smoother Adventure. Having seat time in all the models, I can confirm what you felt -- the Adventure clearly stands in a league of its own and is also my personal choice, bar none.

But then, it's hard to go wrong with any of the Hobie Mirage kayaks. Your Sport has a lot of virtues. However it works out best for you will be good!

Hi Becky,

I just posted some pics of the 10,000 Island trip in place to Kayak
here is the link

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=11872

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I would rather be kayaking and think about work than to be at work thinking about kayaking.
A Thrill Ride is being dragged around in your kayak for 40 minutes by an extremely large fish.

Well, I did it. Traded my two-week-old Sport for that pre-owned Adventure my dealer had. Friend will have to find his own boat .

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Becky
Crystal River, FL

Congrat's!

Kayaking Bob

Thanks! I'm really excited about it.

There is just one tiny little problem: How'm I gonna get that sucker on and off of my car those times when there's no one around to help? I had installed a Thule Outrigger (telescoping extension for one of the bars) to help me load the Sport, but this boat is 14 lbs heavier. I'd have to lift 31 lbs (half of its weight) over my head. Right now, I can't do that.

I have two possible solutions. The first is appealing because it would cost so little. I'll make me a set of these: http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/foru ... highlight=

If that doesn't work, and nothing else does, I might have to buy a hullavator. Hate to spend so much, but it would be cheaper than a trailer and not require storage space.

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Becky
Crystal River, FL

Hey Becky,

Congrats on your new adventure. I have an xterra which is difficult (not impossible) to lift the revolution on top of the rack by myself. I line up the yak perpendicular to the back of my SUV and I place a heavy quilt or blanket over the back roof/lift gate area. Rest the bow of the yak on the vehicle and grab the stern and push it up on the rack. It glides over the quilt and easy enough to handle by yourself and taking off is the same .. slide it back till the stern starts to drop the grab stern place on ground and then take the bow move perpendicular to the car & put the bow on the ground.
Worth testing before you buy more stuff. Have someone with you just in case till you get the feel of it. You can do it solo.

Revo

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I would rather be kayaking and think about work than to be at work thinking about kayaking.
A Thrill Ride is being dragged around in your kayak for 40 minutes by an extremely large fish.

Becky,

Don't be too intimidated by the apparent weight and bulk of the boat. 31lb is actually about the weight of a 3 or 4 year old child. There are a number of techniques, like the one Revo outlined for getting the boat up. The important thing is to be careful and to learn how to use technique, rather than strength to get it there. It would help if you could find someone experienced to run you through it a few times.

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I'm counting on that. Good body mechanics and a bit of coreography. My across-the-street neighbors have been well entertained lately. I only wish I had a big, indestructible thing shaped like my car to practice on.

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Becky
Crystal River, FL

Becky

Having lived in Citrus County for almost 20 years there are some great kayak places nearby (I live now on the FL Atlantic Coast). Chassowitzka, Withlacoohcee, Rainbow River - all wonderful.

Congrats on Adventure. I have 2 Islands and truck-top both of the main Adventure hulls & use the bed to carry the amas.
Not possible for me to hoist entire hull onto the truck. Method is to pick up the bow and place it on the rack then slide/push the rest of the kayak onto the racks. Easier said than done.

Using this method means you only pick up 1/2 the kayaks weight. Make sure you protect the stern of the kayak especially if you are loading on concrete. I bungie a section of carpet to the kayak to protect the rear skeg area - when you lift the kayak nose up the rear area will scrape.

In the final analysis you may opt for using a small trailer, with the proper setup you can even store the kayak on the trailer. So when you are done kayaking you don't need to unload the kayak - just leave it on the trailer.

I have both Sports & Islands. I use the Sport for fishing but you can't beat the adventure for speed and paddle-ability.

Good luck.

Reporting in to say that I have successfully loaded and unloaded the Adventure on my Civic by myself:

I tried what some of you have suggested: I padded the trunk end of my car well with a quilt, placed a mat on the ground to protect the stern end, positioned the kayak just so, then slid it up onto the rack, which is just padded bars. I turned it upside down after it was up there (can also to this when it is half-way up, if I'm careful) because I don't have saddles.

I was surprised to find that I can handle this boat almost easier than the little Sport. One reason is the narrower width, I also seem to find more hand-holds. There is a bar installed near the stern end for the inflatable outriggers, and that makes a good handhold when pushing the boat up.

I'm very happy about this! Thanks to everyone who has helped me with their suggestions.

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Becky
Crystal River, FL

Good working it out Becky.

That boat should give you many years of "Adventures".

Kayaking Bob

Looking good, Becky! Congrats on how it all came together for you.
Best,
Dick

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Looks awesome Becky and glad it was so easy for you. Makes getting out on the water much more enjoyable. Enjoy and keep us posted with pics of your new adventures.

LOOKIN' GOOD!

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I would rather be kayaking and think about work than to be at work thinking about kayaking.
A Thrill Ride is being dragged around in your kayak for 40 minutes by an extremely large fish.

I cannot express how psyched I am. There just aren't enough keys on the keyboard to type it. But if I were to try, it would be something like YOWEEHAAEEIIIOOYAYYYYY!!!!

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Becky
Crystal River, FL