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. Be sure to first
consult your owner’s manual for the car and roof rack system to
ensure that you comply with all of their recommendations,
precautions and specifications.
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 or hanging on its edges. When hanging
your kayak 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.
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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.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT FOR SPECIFIC
TYPES OF PEDALING AND PADDLING
Basic Boating:
Life Jacket, Paddle, Paddle Leash,
Backrest, Safety Whistle, Filled Water Bottle, Appropriate
Safety Equipment.
Longer Distance Touring:
Dry Bags, Chart, Compass.
Additional Equipment for Diving:
Dive Flag, Anchor.
Fishing:
Fishing Rod Holder, Drip Guards, Gear Bags,
Knee Braces.
ABOUT POLYETHYLENE
Continuing Hobie’s tradition of offering the latest in
technology at an affordable price, your new kayak is made
of rotomolded super linear polyethylene. Polyethylene offers
a major advantage because it is virtually indestructible
under normal use. Being somewhat flexible, it gives on
impact and derives its stiffness from compound curves.
Polyethylene is very abrasion-resistant.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
How watertight is my boat?
It is normal for any type of kayak to experience a small
amount of seepage due to the installation of rivets, hatches,
etc. Kayaks may take on a few cups of water while out
paddling. If a kayak is taking on more than a small amount
of water, check to make sure the drain plug is in, then check
the rest of the boat for leaks. Silicone can be used to seal
the rivets. If you have any questions, please call your dealer.
How should I store my kayak?
It is best to store your kayak on edge, upside down,
standing on end, or hanging on its edges.
Is my boat repairable?
Hobie kayaks are very durable, however, on occasion they
may need some minor repairs. Linear polyethylene is
repairable. Check with your dealer concerning repairs for
your kayak.
Mirage Scupper Plug
You Hobie Mirage kayak is shipped with a Mirage Cassette
Plug. The plug is provided as standard equipment in the Mirage
Kayak package and is used to fill the space where the Mirage
fits into the hull. It is inserted when the Mirage Drive is removed
to provide added safety and to “fair” the bottom of the hull when
paddling.
To install the cassette plug, simply place the plug in the hole for
the Mirage Drive mechanism and lock it down using the cam
lock knobs.
