By Paul LebowitzAt Hobie, the ingenuity doesn’t end with the elegantly engineered hands-free Mirage Drive line-up of fishing kayaks. Making a great system better, Hobie’s product engineers are cranking out a series of useful and even groundbreaking accessories to help their customers catch more fish. The new Hobie Livewell is the first of its kind, a factory-produced powered bait tank and livewell custom-fitted for the Outback, Sport, Adventure, Revolution, and Quest. It comes ready to run, with a 6-volt sealed gel cell battery and a high-flow self priming Attwood pump. A scoop-shaped intake draws water right through a tankwell scupper.
Providing the ultimate in flexibility, the streamlined 8-gallon tank has an easily adjustable drain – set the water level to full to keep a bass tournament limit kicking or drop it down to hold just a few candy greenbacks when fishing inshore. Hobie’s slick Livewell is finished off with a trio of rod holders, a carrying handle, 8-in Twist-N-Seal hatch lid, on-off switch, and adjustable straps. $250, debuts mid-summer 2007. Hobie’s Rod Holder Extensions are just what the crowds have been clamoring for – deeper, higher rod tubes to securely hold beefy saltwater sticks. They fit into the molded-in rod holders provided on most Hobie models. $15.
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The first-word in easy-acess tackle storage, Gear Buckets drop right into Hobie’s excellent 8-in Twist-N-Stow hatches. At 2.5-in deep, the adjustable storage segments hold a nice tackle arsenal. Simple and slick. $15. Retrofit your older model ride with Twist-N-Stows, $45. Get turbo-charged! The ST and ST Turbo Fins – replacements for the standard Mirage Drive designs – power up Hobie’s already excellent pedal kayaks. Aggressive shark-tooth graphics send a clear message – these babies chew up the water. Increase top speed and add more low end torque for sprinting out of danger zones and racing to breaking fish. Both designs come with fit tension screws for a customized ride. Add a little oomph or go all out for increased performance. Kit: $80
View these products and more at Hobie's website: www.hobiecat.com. |
