Hobie i11S inflation and Test Ride

just my second inflation test but looks like just under 5 minutes from opening the hatch to being rigged up and ready to go...the inflated hull is easy to carry which is something I was hoping for.   hitting the water Sunday to test the stability, do a bit of swimming and self recovery...

this is a 40 second time lapse of the inflation/set-up:

Cool video. I'm excited about this kayak. We have one at the shop that I have lots of plans for.

Looking forward to reading about your first time on the water, Roger.  Saw one at Waxer's and was impressed with how it looked and how sturdy it seemed.

Cool hobie, Roger!

Looking forward to reading about your first time on the water, Roger.  Saw one at Waxer's and was impressed with how it looked and how sturdy it seemed.

first thing I did was walk around on the deck and it is amazing how rigid it feels...

it is also great to just pick up the hull and carry it around...

I didn't get to walk on it, but I poked and prodded it and I was impressed by it's rigidity, too, and by how substantial the materials are.

i11S test ride Saturday (45F air/48F water): 'tiny boat' glides over the water, 4mph easy, 6mph really working.
steers easily, not pushed much by the wind, I can stand easily, walk around, and sit on the edge.
self-recovery is really really easy, at the end of the video I have the seat in the 'high' position which is also very stable.



I wanted a boat that was very different from my Oasis and have definitely achieved that.  Today I am planning to test the 2012 Oasis with the Vantage CTi seat installed on it. 

Really cool, thanks for the video.  Can't wait to hear how it fishes!

Pretty cool demo Roger.  That inflatable looks more like a SUP then a kayak.  Looks very stable and very easy to climb back aboard.  The impulse buyer in me is SCREAMING right now. 

Pretty cool demo Roger.  That inflatable looks more like a SUP then a kayak.  Looks very stable and very easy to climb back aboard.  The impulse buyer in me is SCREAMING right now. 

yes, I am calling it a "pedal-board".  definitely not a kayak.  I got the Black Pac from YakAttack so I can use it for fishing when I want to.  Planning to glue on a couple of the Hobie i-accessory pads for Scotty mounts so I can have a rod holder/cup holder/gopro/anchor, as needed...but that's about it for rigging. 

But I really got the i11S for several reasons:

1-  light, easy to carry hull (37#) but with Mirage drive so it can cover lots of water with hands free for fishing.
2- packs up in a wheeled bag so I can take it on all our camping/fishing trips, including those we take our PB on, without having a rigid kayak on the roof or trailer.
3- it got me a new Mirage GT drive, upgraded to Turbo fins, to also use on my Oasis
4- it got me a Vantage CTi seat.  Testing that out on the Oasis today.

cheers, roger

I might have to add this to my list of things to try at Summer Splash this year, if they have one to demo.

I wish I hadn't clicked on this thread... 

Nice share, Roger! Let us know how the vantage seat works on your Oasis and how you enjoy the i11S.  Sounds like a perfect complement to your outdoor adventure quiver.

Next remote camping kayak. Thanks for sharing!

I'm surprised by how little it flexed when you were pedaling and when you grabbed the drive to clamber back in (on?).  Nice.

trying to keep the fishing rigging and gear storage all to one Black Pac, I can run a Scotty Rocket Launcher off each side for 2 rod trolling, need to add one more Scotty base for my GoPro, 2 cup holders so I can have coffee and water handy...my smaller insulated Trader Joes fish bag fits under the seat...time to go fishing.