This machine rocks! When I first saw a Hobie Island I was seriously impressed how versatile and clever the concept is. Even 007 would love it! This is a cool boat that does everything and does it well. My friend Mark Sales owns one and uses it as a family boat. He raved about how good the Hobie is.
7 possible configurations:
- Touring paddle kayak
- A pedal kayak
- An outrigger
- A trimaran
- A fully rigged fast sail boat
- A sailboat with extra deck space for passengers
- A motorboat
The Hobie can be used in small creeks, rivers, lakes and go out to sea in strong winds. It's surprisingly fast and I was able to keep pace with full rigged yachts when I went out to sea. It's set up allows me to sail it without extra crew, which is unusual for a sailing boat. It can be used for working out, touring, fishing, diving and camping trips. The Hobie is light enough that I can pull it over sandbars if it runs aground. It also folds down into a small package I can stow on my ladder racks, so is very suitable for travelling.
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| Unloading Hobie Island by crane |
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| Hobie Island rigged for a sailing adventure |
The one downside to this boat is it's wet cockpit. There is no staying dry in this boat. Good gear is essential, but getting smashed by large swells and dodging breakers is part of the fun.
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| Sailing the new toy |
My first adventure was in the Richmond River NSW where I took the boat on it's shakeout cruise. I used the crane to lower the boat off the ute then used it's sand wheels to roll it down the boat ramp. I found the boat relatively intuitive to operate but it was very slow. Then I realised I had left the sand wheels and trolley attached, oops. I beached and removed them, then set out again. This time the boat flew, I was amazed how quick it sailed on the light breeze. I sailed the Richmond River for several hours. I got stuck on a sandbar trying to get through a channel and had to drag the Hobie over it. It was great fun and I was grinning from ear to ear. Then I hoisted the boat onto my ute and went to Surfers Paradise for dinner and a sunset beach walk.
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| Richmond River NSW |
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| This live-aboard boat was very hard to approach, being moored behind sand bars and rocks |
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| Heading into shore |
I then made several trips up the Moorochy River on the Sunshine coast. On the second trip I went out for half the day. I sailed out the mouth of the river, which was quite treacherous due to the large surf. Once out to sea I nearly chickened out, but then turned and sailed to Point Cartwrite. I had to get well out so sea to avoid the large surf. There were a few yachts out and I found the little Hobie easily kept up with them. Then I headed into the Mooloolaba River and paddled around the canals until I was exhausted. Finally I returned to sea and sailed back into the Moorochy River. I had to surf the Hobie in over the breakers.
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| Standing up for a stretch on the Mooloolaba River after rough seas |
The fourth voyage was up the Noosa River on Christmas Day. It was like sailing on a motorway. There were boats everywhere and I had to constantly dodge traffic. Noosa was as gorgeous as always, and it was enjoyable to sail up the river, then drop the mast and slip under the low bridges into the canals.
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| Sail and massed dropped to pass under a low bridge |
There is a local Hobie Island club on the Sunshine Coast so I've signed up and hope to get a few trips in with them before I leave.
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