Hobie Sidekick ama's

[Skipjack]

Hi All,

Always hard to find detailed info on the Hobie Sidekicks...I've watched the few videos on youtube about a dozen times each, and will endeavor to add some as I go along.

But for now, a quick review! In short, massive improvement.

Sydney's bad weather of late got to me so much I decided I needed to drill my first hole in the Revo. Ummed and ahhhd for a few hours yesterday before biting the bullet and visiting the Sailing Scene in Mona Vale. I know it's been said but I'll say it again, outstanding customer service from Chris and Curly, great price and even better installation advice for Amas and sailing rudder(which was also a winner!)
Sensing my reluctance (read:softcocktance) to break the hymen on the seemingly impenetrable husk of my beloved yak, Chris in short told me to grow a pair and hook into it, adding, "the first one is the hardest", and I think he was talking about drilling a hole in the revo..

Anyway, on to the sailing, a big reason I bought them...The Sail came with the revo and I thought it was a bit gimmiky when I got it, but upon first voyage found sailing to be a highlight! (Didn't have a rod with me though)

Sidekicks... On fully lowered setting, the drag is pretty evident straight away from the sound they make, it now feels like you are pushing a bit of a wake. Not necessarily a bad thing though, during strong gusts you can really feel them take the strain, and at 105 kg and 6"1(or Obese by Wii standards), I half expected to glance to my left and see the screws pop or the supports strain, but thankfully neither. Digs in nicely and I felt for the first time under sail in gusts in no danger whatsoever of tipping.

Mid Setting is a great happy medium. Very little drag in calm water but enough to catch you in a good gust. Made a point of getting side on to some 15km gusts and it still managed to hold me up, though my natural tendency was to lean also as Manly dam is pretty bloody cold at the mo.

On that, didn't give the high setting a very good run as it does seem to tip quite a way..Will update this when I get some more confidence in them, but I would imagine as a stabilizer in the chop I'd be happy to have them.

Fishing...didnt get serious about it but flicked a few blades and poppers around, bit of a task with both sail and sidekicks on, but having said that with not too much effort on a revo both could come off and store pretty well whilst on the water, with probably just a little bit more patience than I could muster at the time. Not to sure how the Amas will take to a treble, and I am sure it will happen, but they do come with a repair kit, and if they deflate you still wont sink...

So it's been a short test thus far, but leaning heavily toward the positive. Being a newbie I am yet to get out on the open ocean, but am very keen to do so and would greatly appreciate someone allowing me to tag along one day, I'd be happy to report on how they go out there, with photos... I live in Roseville but will travel!

All in all, I think its turning the revo into a very good long distance machine, I have modified halibu77's(youtube) sail furl system(see photo of my setup) and have been very happy with its performance, limiting the smacks to the back of the head from my sail, and allowing me to furl and unfurl(that a word??) with the pull of a rope or two, without fail.

Anyway, I hope this helps someone sitting on the fence as I was for so long, I havent seen these in the classifieds, which I think may also be a glowing review.

[neale]

Thanks for the info. I fitted a sail kit to my Adventurea few weeks ago, went out at Windsor and promptly put myself on my head, (nah, who needs the daggerboard in). I also shop at the sailing scene, nothing but praise for them. The young bloke there, Chris I think, advised me on the outriggers, after he stopped laughing down the phone at me.

[Skipjack]

Thanks for the info. I fitted a sail kit to my Adventurea few weeks ago, went out at Windsor and promptly put myself on my head, (nah, who needs the daggerboard in). I also shop at the sailing scene, nothing but praise for them. The young bloke there, Chris I think, advised me on the outriggers, after he stopped laughing down the phone at me.

No worries Neale...Sorry mate it is a bit funny when it's someone else

The outriggers in my eyes are a must...You really get so much more out of the sail and can take those gusts without fear of tipping...Well worth the money I reckon, not to mention the money you could potentially lose having your fishing gear bouncing around the ocean floor!

Let me know if you get them and what you think!

[azztech]

Hey folks, also have sidekick amas, even on a tandem I can sit on the gunnel (I'm 110kgs) and it only half buries the floaty. Great value mod. Just beware of lure treble hooks :-/
And definitely keep the supplied patch hits! I have pinned mine yet but there has been some near misses when reeling in the odd fish!

[2yackers]

Hi Folks
I swear by them.
I have a Hobie Adventure Fish, long and sleek.
I am about 110 kilo's.
Without sidekicks - upside down even without the sail on more than one occasion ( plus lost gear).
With sidekicks - heaven, takes the worry out of even a big cruiser leaving you in it's wake and inverted.
I use them every time I go out now, (even without the sail) they allow you to move around without the fear of ending up in the drink.
All the best
2yackers.

[tingles]

I've recently bought a Revo and it came with sail and side kicks - love them for off shore fishing. Went out in 0.5m swell with wind gusting to 10-15kts at times. Although you had to be quick to release the main sheet for the larger gusts I never felt like I was about to go over. Great setup for trolling and I never felt like the sidekicks were in the way.

Also got the kids (9 and 12 yo) out sailing with no experience and only 2 minutes of instruction (shallow water and very light winds, and they are both club swimmers) - so easy!!!

I'm looking forward to using them to stand and sight cast on flat water (I'm 6'7" and not the best of balance LOL)

Cheers,

Tingles.

[samw]

thanks for the info, think im going to go an get my self a sail and amas now

[smithcorp]

I got the sail with my Revo 11 but not the sidekicks (they were offered at time of sale, but I wanted to try it out without them first). I'm still getting used to the boat, so paddling and pedalling in different conditions, but tried the sail weekend before last out on the George's River, Sydney. Light breezes but with some much stronger gusts. Bearing in mind that it was only my second outing in the kayak, I found it pretty tippy if the wind is not steady.

It's pretty easy to adjust position on the seat (though I wish the seat pad didn't move around so much) to keep the kayak on an even keel under sail, but it responds very quickly to gusts and while I wasn't caught out too badly, I imagine it would be easy to end up in the drink if you are not quick to ease the mainsheet. I found I had to watch intently for gusts and shift position like lightning.

I reckon a set of sidekick amas might be in my future, because sailing is so much fun in this thing.

smith

[mingle]

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but it's also worth having a look at the Finn outriggers.

Very similar setup to the Hobie sidekicks, but they're a bit more streamlined.

Here's how I did it:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=51480

Cheers,

Mike.