By Paul Lebowitz

Sea legs. Hobie's Mirage Drive Adventure has them. The pedal-powered kayak with the long 16-foot stride eats up the nautical miles. The boat, blisteringly fast for a sit-on-top , gets her quickness by pairing the efficient Mirage Drive propulsion system with a streamlined touring-style hull. The standard rudder, a "twist and stow" design, keeps the boat firmly on course. For anglers, it means less time getting there and more time to fish, all while leaving your hands free.

The Adventure is built for the bluewater kayak angler. A large bow hatch and two smaller round hatches provide the belowdecks storage so essential for protecting equipment during surf launches and landings. The rear cargo area with bungee tie-downs is big enough to hold a powered bait tank, a tackle box or the day's catch. A pair of molded-in rod holders sits just aft of the cockpit, and there is room to mount additional rod holders along the footwell rails or on the forward console area. That flat shelf on the bow is also an excellent home for electronics such as a fish finder or GPS receiver.

This boat comes from the factory ready to fish, complete with a seat, paddle, mesh-covered storage pockets, carrying handles and a couple of beverage holders. The adjustable high-back seat even offers a fanny pack for additional storage. The included two-piece paddle stows conveniently alongside, where it is ever-ready for forays into the thickest kelp, about the only time you'll want it.

THE HOBIE ADVENTURE is a long, sleek, and powerful blue water cruiser - hands free. The patented Mirage Drive kicks this thing into a higher gear.