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PADDLING

These guidelines will help you to get started.

To start, sit in your kayak. Your backside should be all the

way back in the seat and your knees comfortably bent. To find

the proper footwell, straighten your legs all the way out and

then bring them back one “well”. If your legs are too

outstretched, you may experience strain on your lower back.

If your knees are bent too much, you may end up knocking

your kneecaps while paddling.

For proper hand placement on your paddle, start with your

hands about a shoulder’s width apart and centered. If you

place the center of the paddle on top of your head, your

elbows should form slightly less than a 90 degree angle.

There should be an equal amount of paddle shaft beyond

each of your hands.

Some paddles may have the blades offset, or “feathered”, at

some degree from parallel. A feathered paddle presents less

surface area for the wind to catch as that blade moves

forward through the air. Some paddles have a flattened spot

along the paddle shaft that will help keep your “control” hand

in a fixed position. However, a special technique must be

used to get each blade in the water. If the paddle is right-hand

controlled (when the right blade is held vertical, the left blade

“scoop” is pointed mostly up), the right hand will stay tight and

the left hand loose. To learn the process, hold the paddle tight

in your right hand and loose in your left. Using the right hand,

rotate the paddle blade back and forth; it should spin in your

left hand. Now take a stroke on your right, then cock your

right wrist back (left hand staying loose and somewhat open)

and take a stroke on your left. If using a left-hand control

paddle, reverse the process, the left hand stays tight and the

right hand stays loose.

The basic paddle stroke will give you forward power. Place a

paddle blade in the water near your toes. Pull the paddle

blade back alongside the boat to approximately your hip area

while your opposite hand and paddle blade move forward.

Then lift the first paddle blade out of the water while lowering

the second blade into the water and take a stroke with the

other side.

If you pull the paddle out and away from the hull in an arc, it

will force the bow of the boat to swing away from the paddle

blade. This is called a sweep stroke and is used to turn the

boat.

MORE PADDLING TIPS

Hobie kayaks are very easy to use and very forgiving. By

beginning in calm water, you can quickly get the feel of the

boat and paddle techniques. Practice getting in and out of the

boat by yourself.

Relax your hands when paddling; a tight grip is not

necessary!

Sit with good posture while keeping your torso vertical.

Choose a footrest position that will allow your knees to be

slightly bent.

For greater efficiency use not only your arms, but your torso

and shoulders as well. Start out easy until you get the feel of

the paddle and the steering strokes. Most experienced

paddlers use an offset (feathered) paddle, but beginners may

prefer to keep the paddle blades square.

STORING YOUR HOBIE KAYAK

Hobie has chosen a blend of plastic that has an added

measure of ultraviolet inhibitors to provide superior protection

from ultraviolet light. However, to ensure extra years of

flexibility and bright colors, avoid storing the boat in weather

or direct sunlight.

Kayaks should be stored on edge, upside down on the

cockpit rails, standing on end. When hanging your kayak,

hang it upside down, run straps around the boat, near the

cockpit. A word of caution: hanging by the scupper hole(s)

may cause distortion; and hanging from the handles may

place undue strain on them. Storing the boat bottom side

down may also cause distortion. Kayak storage systems are

available from your dealer. Pad eyes are NOT intended for

hanging or for use as tie downs. 

To secure your kayak, simply run a cable through a scupper

hole and lock it to something secure.

TRANSPORTING YOUR HOBIE KAYAK

One of the easiest ways to transport your Hobie kayak is to

purchase a roof rack from your dealer. This normally involves

a set of crossbars that attach to the car via the rain gutters or

adapter clips mounted to the door frame. They come with a

wide variety of attachments from kayak saddles to stackers.

The racks can be used without the attachments but the racks

should be padded. To help prevent distortion, place the

kayak, cockpit side down, on top of the rack. It is best if the

crossbars contact the cockpit sides and not the deck areas.

Straps can then be laid across the boat and tied to the bars.

Saddles cradle the boat and often come with their own

straps. Stackers allow multiple boats to be placed on their

sides without falling over.

An alternative to traditional rack systems are soft racks. They

tend to be less expensive and will work with most cars. These

are pads mounted on straps that sit between the kayak and

the roof of your car. Some styles have a strap that wraps

around the kayak and others strap the pad to the roof. To tie

the boat to the car, straps are run through the car doors and

the boat is tied to the roof as well as the bumpers, front and

rear. Over-tightening the straps may cause dents in the roof

of the car.

A line run from the bow and stern of the boat to each bumper

is required. If your bumpers do not have a gap to pass a rope

around, look underneath. There should be a loop of metal,

which is used by car transports such as tow trucks.

Many people like to use the scupper holes to tie the boat to

the car. This helps prevent the boat from sliding back and

forth or the tie down rope from slipping off the kayak. This is

a perfectly acceptable method for tying the boat down.

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Summary of Contents for HOBIE MAUI

Page 1: ...HOBIE MAUI HOBIE PURSUIT OWNER S MANUAL HOBIE ODYSSEY Part 76000 Revised 11 14 2001 ...

Page 2: ...A Pursuit Only Storage area keeps items dry and out of bilge STABLE Computer designed for maximum stability 1 Unique Features Of Your Hobie Kayak Sit on top Design The Hobie kayak open top cockpit allows the paddler to enter and exit the kayak easily from the shore dock or water Scupper hole s make the kayak self bailing The design also eliminates the need to perform an Eskimo roll advanced Kayak ...

Page 3: ... maximum enjoyment from your new Hobie kayak More important it is designed to help you use it safely TABLE OF CONTENTS ITEM PAGE Unique Hobie Kayak Features 1 Welcome 2 Basic Kayak Features 3 Safety Righting Techniques 3 How to Paddle 4 How to Store Transport your Hobie Kayak 4 Recommended Equipment 5 About Polyethylene 5 Frequently Asked Questions FAQ 5 Warranty 5 Hobie Cat Company Contact Inform...

Page 4: ... dangerous currents obstacles in and above the water and weather changes Scout unfamiliar waters portage where appropriate Do not exceed your paddling ability be aware of your limitations DO NOT use alcohol or mind altering drugs prior to or while using this product Follow the manufacturer s recommendations for use of this product If additional outfitting is added to this craft use manufacturer ap...

Page 5: ...ightly bent For greater efficiency use not only your arms but your torso and shoulders as well Start out easy until you get the feel of the paddle and the steering strokes Most experienced paddlers use an offset feathered paddle but beginners may prefer to keep the paddle blades square STORING YOUR HOBIE KAYAK Hobie has chosen a blend of plastic that has an added measure of ultraviolet inhibitors ...

Page 6: ... and returned to Hobie within 30 days of the date of purchase If you have problems with your boat contact your dealer first If you need further assistance contact Hobie To help process any warranty problems please complete your warranty card and give it to your dealer or mail it directly to Hobie Hobie warrants each kayak to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for retail customers in...

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