2009 Hobie improvements & additions

New Hobie models on the Hobie website. www.hobiecat.com

You can download new brochures there. There are links on each model page.

http://www.hobiecat.com/media/pdf/2009_Kayak_Collection.pdf

New model is the i9s 9' inflatable Hobie Mirage Kayak.

Even better for airline and travel transport. Lighter, but still with excellent capacity.

Specifications:
Length: 9'/ 2.74m
Width: 36"/ 0.91m
Weight: 39 lbs./ 17.69 kg
Mirage Drive Weight: 6.6 lbs. / 3 kg
Capacity: 325 lbs./ 147 kg


2009 Hobie Mirage Kayak Product improvements include:

"Click-n-go" MirageDrive lock-in systems
Simply place the drive into the well and it locks in place. We started this in inflatables last year. Installing the drive is now even easier and faster. You flip two levers to release the drive. The levers automatically lock the drive in place when you place the drive in the well. Simple, easy. No more locking cam knobs or cam bolt columns. This new system improves the ease of use and the drive well strength.

Rudder up/down line systems
We have gone to the Adventure Island style rudder up and down line system. Easier to use / more ergonomic function as the control lines are placed forward of the user. No more reaching to your side to find the control handle for rudder up / down function. Now you can more easily raise and lower the standard or larger sailing rudder.

New MirageDrive sprockets and masts

 We have gone to a “Marine Grade” brass embedded piece in the sprockets to mount the masts. The "V2" sprockets are thicker / stronger at the mast connection. The masts and the insert are threaded. No more set screws to hold the mast in place. Simply dab a small amount of loc tite on the mast threads and thread them into the sprockets. These new sprockets / masts have shown a dramatic improvement in strength under high loads. This will be the sprocket / mast system of choice for ST Turbo Fin users. We have ST Turbo kits available now for the new threaded sprockets coming on 2009 models. The new sprockets are also available for upgrading older model MirageDrives.

Many kayak models have other new features / changes. See the brochure for listings per model.


Special note from Matt Miller @ Hobie:
At the "OR" Outdoor Retailer show (Trade only) we are also showing a new fishing platform we call the "Pro Angler". This model will not be available until next spring. I think it is a bit more boat than kayak. Designed for fishing, the Pro Angler includes the MirageDrive and a new rudder system. It also includes cockpit / internal rod storage to get the rods below the rail for those fishing in areas with trees and overhanging brush. There are a lot more new ideas in this boat. Dealers will have information, but we will not be promoting this product beyond that as yet.

I'm really curious about the Pro Angler.   A Hobie answer to the Trident 15 would be pretty interesting.

NICE...  a 39 lb portable kayak.... 

YotF

I'm really curious about the Pro Angler.   A Hobie answer to the Trident 15 would be pretty interesting.

Word on the Pro Angler is just crazy. Sounds to me like Matt @ Hobie wasn't joking when he said more of a boat than a yak. Reports are spotty but this is what I've heard. It's made w/ fishing flat water in mind, shaped like a bass boat and has a standup "casting deck". Supposed to be something crazy like 38" wide and 14' long. Massive front hatch and internal rod storage. Bassers might fall in love with this... uh, yak?

Z

I'm really curious about the Pro Angler.   A Hobie answer to the Trident 15 would be pretty interesting.

Word on the Pro Angler is just crazy. Sounds to me like Matt @ Hobie wasn't joking when he said more of a boat than a yak. Reports are spotty but this is what I've heard. It's made w/ fishing flat water in mind, shaped like a bass boat and has a standup "casting deck". Supposed to be something crazy like 38" wide and 14' long. Massive front hatch and internal rod storage. Bassers might fall in love with this... uh, yak?

Z

Sounds like a perfect Yak for me to try out on the flats around here...  Hmmm Casting Deck just SCREAMS flyrod! 

Guess I will have to remain a Hobieless Team member until it comes out, and use the demo yak from my sponsor until then...   

YotF

Guess I will have to remain a Hobieless Team member until it comes out, and use the demo yak from my sponsor until then...   

YotF


[/quote]

Awww, you live such a rough life. I hope you'll be okay with that demo 

Guess I will have to remain a Hobieless Team member until it comes out, and use the demo yak from my sponsor until then...   

YotF

Awww, you live such a rough life. I hope you'll be okay with that demo 
[/quote]

Thats the effect of good karma baby!   

Oh, what, are you trying to rack up enough points to get re-incarnated as a Bald Eagle so you can hang out in Alaska and fish ALL the time???

Oh, what, are you trying to rack up enough points to get re-incarnated as a Bald Eagle so you can hang out in Alaska and fish ALL the time???

That or a Grizzly....and stay in the National Park all the time to avoid the hunters........

YotF

Those drive sockets and masts look like something thats been needed for a while. I have been tempted to add a sleeve to the mast sockets since I got them (and more so since they have fallen out on a couple of occasions!).

Zee,

Do you know if they can be fitted to an existing unit or is that part of an updated mirage drive?

Those drive sockets and masts look like something thats been needed for a while. I have been tempted to add a sleeve to the mast sockets since I got them (and more so since they have fallen out on a couple of occasions!).

Zee,

Do you know if they can be fitted to an existing unit or is that part of an updated mirage drive?

That sucks that they've fallen out! Please send an email to Matt Miller and see if you can't get some kind of tech help or upgrade. These on the other hand are only for '09 mirage drives as they're molded in.

Z