My Hobie Quest

[spizza]

Hi all,

After many fun trips with my old Australis Bass Canoe (and slowly pushing it's limits), I moved on and bought a Hobie Quest last year. I haven't pimped it up too much, but I do want to add a sounder very soon and still debating getting a rudder kit for it...

I am very happy with this kayak, very stable, quick, does track ok without rudder and looks good
The only two gripes I have is that it is slightly heavy to handle and lift, and I attribute some of this to the awkward carry handles which I find slightly inferior for such a nice kayak...

Anyway, here's a few pics.......

[harrip94]

great looking yak,, nice and neat

[peter58]

Nice looking yak I did have a HOBIE Quest not long ago. BUT have up dated to a Hobie Revo 9

[spizza]

Nice looking yak I did have a HOBIE Quest not long ago. BUT have up dated to a Hobie Revo 9

thanks guys.

Hey Pete, did you have a rudder on your Quest? (upon purchase?) Just wondering how big the variation is between having the rudder and not having it.....
Cheers,
s.

[peter58]

Hi Spizza

no i Didn't have a rudder on mine it did pull to the right a bit but apart from that it did go well
thay are good yak



peter

[solatree]

I attribute some of this to the awkward carry handles which I find slightly inferior for such a nice kayak

I agree - can't for the life of me work out why Hobie has used such crumby side handles on their new yaks like the Adventure and Revo (same as the Quest) - not even handles really - just indented grip spots. Why haven't they used decent side handles like they had on the Outback and Sport - two of Hobies' earlier designs.

[spizza]

Needless to say, I ended up getting the rudder installed on my Hobie Quest. (Along with the sounder).

I still say that the Quest tracks very good without a rudder, but I have to admit under a "fishing situation" (of which this yak is the primary use for me), the rudder makes a welcome difference........ . e.g. positioning the yak better in current etc....

So yes I am converted and I am a happy chap with the rudder unit.

Cheers,
Spizza.

[nexy]

thanks for the update spizza, just one question, did you install the
rudder yourself? and if so any tips to help make installation any
easier? i will be getting a rudder kit for my Quest in the next
few weeks and fitting it myself, i have been told from the dealer
that they are "not that hard to fit", any advice would be appreciated,

Cheers
Nexy

[spizza]

thanks for the update spizza, just one question, did you install the
rudder yourself? and if so any tips to help make installation any
easier? i will be getting a rudder kit for my Quest in the next
few weeks and fitting it myself, i have been told from the dealer
that they are "not that hard to fit", any advice would be appreciated,

Cheers
Nexy

Hi Nexy, I'll be honest mate, I had mine installed by the dealer I purchased my yak from (good lads at Mona Vale). I didn't feel confident doing it myself & I opted to have someone with more experience and knowledge do the work in this instance (Especially as I have never attempted this before). I can now at least look at the set up and get familiar with all the details etc, fine tuning etc......

I took out a Quest with a rudder for a test run before deciding to to get a rudder fitted on mine.
Cheers,
S.

[nexy]

thanks spizza

[Blackfisher]

Hi Spiza - I like the clean lines. I have just purchased a Quest last week ( no fish yet from two short outings). How did you mount the Scotty holder - your pic seems to show a block on top of the moulding. Do you use a paddle leash?
Thanks for the photos.
Geoff

[spizza]

Hi Spiza - I like the clean lines. I have just purchased a Quest last week ( no fish yet from two short outings). How did you mount the Scotty holder - your pic seems to show a block on top of the moulding. Do you use a paddle leash?
Thanks for the photos.
Geoff

thanks Geoff.

The scotty rod holder unit with base is mounted in the kayak's centre moulding, the pic is a little misleading. I have incorporated one of the new extender arms (manouvarable) to allow me some position options given I have added the sounder to the centre moulding.

Yes I have paddle leash + rods leashes etc.
Cheers,
S.

[flounderpounder]

great looking yak there mate.

[paddlefisher]

[quote="spizza"]Hi all,


The only two gripes I have is that it is slightly heavy to handle and lift, and I attribute some of this to the awkward carry handles which I find slightly inferior for such a nice kayak...
quote]


This is going to help handling your Quest



I actually think highly about the molded in grips, no nuckle bashing with every stroke, and good grips as well for climbing back in, must have been a very tricky design to mold these, a few straps screwed in is a lot easier.

PF

[spizza]

Hi all,


The only two gripes I have is that it is slightly heavy to handle and lift, and I attribute some of this to the awkward carry handles which I find slightly inferior for such a nice kayak...
quote]


This is going to help handling your Quest



I actually think highly about the molded in grips, no nuckle bashing with every stroke, and good grips as well for climbing back in, must have been a very tricky design to mold these, a few straps screwed in is a lot easier.

PF

that's a great tip and I like the positioning of that grip, makes total sense.
Cheers,
S.