ebill66

Hello -

Just wanted to thank everyone on here for the wealth of information RE Hobie mirage drive kayaks.  I've been wanting to get one for a while... and between it being well into the Spring of yet another year without a kayak... and that sale (noted in the classified forum and CL) going on over at Ballard Inflatable... well, I bit the bullet and got a new old stock 2006 Adventure.

There is a bunch of helpful information on this site that made me a much more informed shopper.  There's also a great deal more ideas and info on rigging one's kayak, etc. etc.... So thanks again.  It will take a while to kit the boat out with bells and whistles... but I'll be on the water just after I get my transport/rack situation squared away (getting the boat home was a cobbled together arrangement.)

At this point, the only fishing I've done was when I was a kid some 37 years ago... and I did not know much then.  That said, the kayak is mostly for exercise right now... but you all putting fish on the plate is a tempting proposition, and it looks like fun... so gearing up for fishing is part of the longer term plan.

So hello, and thanks again.  I'll share anything that comes up if it seems of note to the community.

- William

Welcome William!

I too bought my Hobie for recreation first (pedaling with the wife) and fishing second. And I also hadn't fished much over the years, but I have really got into it this past year after I got geared up. It is a blast!

One more thing we have in common - I see you hail from Lake Forest Park - I lived in on 194th Place as a kid and attended LFP Elementary, and later, Horizon View Elementary when it opened.

Sherman

Welcome, the adventure is an awesome mirage drive yak. Have you had a chance to take it in the water yet?

@ sherminator - I look forward to the workout.  Being on the water and having to work some... a good place to be and maybe some gut busting will happen!    Let's just say I took note of the payload capability of the different models before diving in.  She'll ride a little low right now.

Am liking Lake Forest Park.  I've been here since 2007... I was in Ballard for 7 years before that.  Otherwise, I'm an East Coast transplant.  I really like the PNW though.  What boat do you have?

@ micahgee - I have not had it on the water yet!  I bought some racks off Craigslist this morning and am getting that dialed in to make transport easier.  I'll try a maiden voyage in the next day or so (I can't wait) over on the Sammamish River (Sammamish Slough.)  It's nice and protected in there, a good place to become familiar with the boat.  I also have to get some paddling clothing... nothing fancy, just not street clothes.  I'm holding off on immersion gear, so I'll plan trips accordingly (weather, location etc.)  I have a vest, vhf radio and such (from small sailboat activity) so I'm in OK "getting started" shape.  I REALLY look forward to seeing how the drive feels... how the hull cuts water... what the momentum of the boat will be like, etc. etc.  Eventually, when I AM geared up some more, I'll get out on the Sound and venture further out.  Right now I'll stick to North Lake Washington and the Slough.  I know cold water (and even warmer water) can kill anywhere (IE hypothermia) but the water here really IS cold... so everything happens that much faster.

All that said, can't wait to get out there and see what the boat can do.

Thanks for the welcomes - William

ebill66 - I was born in Ohio, so maybe technically I'm from back East too, but I've lived in the PNW since I was six. I share an Oasis with my wife, and when my son isn't fishing with me, I use his Revo, since it lives in my garage, along with the rest of his kit.