Return to Hobie.com
Hobie Forums
It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 6:11 am

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 11:27 pm 
Offline
Hobie Approved Guru

Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2005 10:46 pm
Posts: 3017
Location: Escondido
I got to borrow the new Hobie tandem inflatable for the weekend and took full advantage of the opportunity. Since the tandem is very similar to the single that has already been reviewed, I'll try not to be too redundant.

We took it on the Salt River in Phoenix and will report on that later, but for now, here's some of the basics:

Out of the box, it looks like this:
Image

2 1/2 minutes later it looked like this (yes, I was racing). Note some of the detail, such as 5 hand grips along the gunwales large sailing rudder and dual paddle holders:
Image

The cart can be inserted at either of the drives:
Image
Image

It's very easy to handle off the bed extender on the truck:
Image

It handles quite nicely as a solo -- requiring no ballast forward:
Image
Image
Image
Image

Solo, Cruising (with Turbofins) is about 3.9 MPH (GPS); tandem, 4.4 MPH. Sprint speed is approximately 5.2 solo and 6.0 tandem. With the passenger seat empty, there is tons of room forward; you could even pitch a tent and sleep there! Wind was light to moderate and control was excellent. If you're just sitting in the water, the wind can push you around though. The cockpit area stayed dry, although there wasn't much chop. Handling with the sailing rudder was reasonably good, but not quite as crisp as the regular Hobie kayaks. The larger (heavier) rudder was correspondingly more difficult to raise and lower, but manageable. As with the single, holding air overnight was excellent. Stability is superb!

There was no sail available so we didn't get to look at sailing characteristics. The set-up is similar to the single though.

Overall, the tandem is 2 feet longer but about as easy to handle as the single, is portable, fast and easy to set-up and break down, or can be left inflated. With two aboard, it doesn't have a lot of cargo area like the single, but gobs of weight capacity (600# if I remember correctly, giving it the highest load capacity of all the Hobies); a fun and versatile boat! 8)


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 5:20 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Fri Nov 19, 2004 6:56 am
Posts: 822
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Very nice! Thanks for the pics and info RR.
Dick

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:51 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:28 am
Posts: 18
Location: Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Great pictures. Thanks for your efforts.

_________________
SuEllyn & Brian Mccabe
Florida Panhandle


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Jump to:  
© Hobie Cat Company. All rights reserved.
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group