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LIP GRIPPER [S P LAS H] QUEST FOR FISH


HOBIE’S PADDLE-POWERED KAYAK IS REDESIGNED FOR FISHING AND ADVENTURE BY RIC BURNLEY


Hobie Quest FISH-FRIENDLY FEATURES


M


ention Hobie in a crowd of kayak anglers and you’ll likely spark a con- versation about the MirageDrive pedal-powered propulsion system. But with the redesign of the paddle-powered Quest 13, Hobie will have paddle enthusiasts talking, too.


I first caught sight of the new Quest 13 at last summer’s Outdoor Re-


• Eight-inch twist and seal hatch with gear bucket


• Accessory tray • Adjustable deluxe padded seat


• Adjustable foot braces


• Cargo area with bungee tie-downs


• Large covered bow hatch


• Two molded-in rod holders


• Two-piece paddle


tailer tradeshow in Salt Lake City. Like a bee to honey, the sleek, clean machine sucked me in and had me buzzing. Hobie fishing product man- ager, Morgan Promnitz, took me on a tour of the boat’s new and improved features. While pointing out upgrades like a higher, drier seat, flat deck for standing, map pockets and extra space for mounting accessories, Prom- nitz explained that the boat is designed to appeal to both hardcore anglers and weekend adventurers. A few months later, I had the Quest 13 on the water fishing for reds and


specks in Norfolk, Virginia. The boat’s excellent behavior matches its good looks. The narrow bow and rounded stern cleave through the water with little resistance. The vertical bow and long keel lengthen the waterline for razor-straight tracking. As expected with a performance hull, the Quest 13 sacrifices primary stability for improved handling in rough weather; this boat sucks up slop and chop without taking water over the bow or beating the angler to death. At the same time, rock-solid secondary stability keeps the angler upright—even while he is standing in the kayak.


46…KAYAK ANGLER


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