Hobie Pro Angler (14-15 knot Wind)

[Mobie Hobie]

I am still getting acquainted with my 14. I saw the forecast for some wind so thought this would be a good time to check out how the 14 performs in wind. The flag was straight at bottom, there were small white caps just forming on sail bay at Mission Bay. Pedaling directly into the wind I noted that the bow wanted to fall off to either port or starboard. I lined myself up with a palm tree on shore out about 50 yards directly into the full on wind and used my turbo fins. Not much headway. You really have to work at it and if there had been a current at say 4 or 3 knots I would say your not going far before getting tired. Now same conditions and I put up the sail. Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Tacking into the wind you really cover some ground fast. I had a hysterical bend in mast, the kayak leaned over nicely but was very stable. Keeping in mind it is a kayak and not a sailboat it performed surprisingly well. If I had to go into an outgoing tide into 15 knot wind I could do it easily by tacking with sail up. Then I tried pedaling with turbo fins and using sail. This is where I pretty much maxed out on hull speed. You are going to get some spray over bow. Put your waterproof top on before you get wet not after like I did. lol...I got an hour of cardio workout in on water rather then in gym, and I got some time on the water on a gorgeous, breezy day! Basically I did a whole lot of nothing. And that is what us retired folks do! lol..