Hobie Sport going 2 miles outside the bay

[Orca Winfrey]

Originally Posted by King Saba

My buddy used to fish in a Lanai, which is your sport without a drive. He fished it for close to a year, and in that time we've fished within a mile or so from shore in windier 10kts+ conditions with 3-6' swells. He did fine, but if I recall correctly he says it lacks secondary stability. It performs poorly too when the winds and swells kick up, a lot of hull slapping. And, if you lean too much one side you'll probably flip as he did when we were starting out in this crazy addiction called kayak fishing. I'm sure he'll chime in and give his 2 cents.

So I'm the buddy. The Lanai was a rock stable yak but I'm a small guy (127 lb) so my experience will be different than if you are a big guy. Like Saba said I did fine except when it got choppy. Then the lack glide was not fun. You have a drive, so you may not be affected as much.

The time I flipped was when I was new to the yak and was leaning past my center of gravity. I was in the water before I knew what happened. Learned not to do that anymore.

I now have a Prowler 13 and am much happier. It's tipper but that gives you warning when you're not centered. It handled great at our last trip to POLA when the winds were 10+ with gusts above 20. Combined with wakes from passing boats, it was like being in a washing machine at times. Not sure how the Lanai would have handled those conditions.

[Tommy92708]

So what I'm seeing from the replies is the Sport is doable but need a good day (swell and wind). My next question is where do I lookup for the swell and wind info? Any non-paid site that you recommend?

[Raskal311]

the winderfinder app is pretty good, swellwatch.com is good too.

[theluckypig]

another important thing to consider is that when you are going out and trying things you've never done before on a kayak, maybe it would be best not to try it alone... i'm all for adventure and the freedom that kayaks allow, but if you're not sure about your ability in potentially challenging conditions, or on a new kayak that you're still learning to use, i'd bring a buddy along just in case...

my 2 cents...

[RedSledTeam]

Here is a post from someone who was very successful on a Hobie Sport.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...31&postcount=1

Also in his avatar photo he has a 64 lb WSB on the back of his Sport.

[Orca Winfrey]

Yeah, but that's a Hank Parker edition Sport! Seriously though, that is awesome.