Hobie E-Volve ??? Looking to Buy - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

PAL · 11-12-2010, 12:25 PM

I'll take a stab at answering the OP's actual question.

We took a look at the eVolve for a recent issue of Kayak Angler magazine. I'd never claim we took a scientific approach. The basic aim was to see if we could break it.

There were two other manufacturer models in the test set, the OK Torque and Native Volt. As an aftermarket add-on, we did not look at the Bassyak system.

Over the course of a few days, we surf launched the Hobie during moderate to slightly heavy LJ days. Then we went boiler rock fishing and dodged more curlers. The test unit was an Outback with a rudder mount.

There were several strong points. The system is ridiculously lightweight. Connections are the highest quality we saw, by far. It just plain worked.

The rudder mount is great, easy to retract when necessary. It plays nice with the Mirage Drive. It was the ultimate in range-increasing flexibility.

Downsides besides the price: the power unit sucked up several blades of eel grass. They gummed the works slightly, but it didn't appear they could have caused damage or entered the motor case.

Range seemed about half that of the OK Torque with full-size gel battery. That wasn't a big deal, because the eVolve throttle control displays speed, range, remaining charge, and so on.

In reverse only, the rudder mount was prone to pulling itself out of the water. Just go slow.

The rest of the story is on the web. Just look for Kayak Angler Magazine. Digital issues are $1.

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11-12-2010, 12:25 PM	#23
PAL Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 754	I'll take a stab at answering the OP's actual question. We took a look at the eVolve for a recent issue of Kayak Angler magazine. I'd never claim we took a scientific approach. The basic aim was to see if we could break it. There were two other manufacturer models in the test set, the OK Torque and Native Volt. As an aftermarket add-on, we did not look at the Bassyak system. Over the course of a few days, we surf launched the Hobie during moderate to slightly heavy LJ days. Then we went boiler rock fishing and dodged more curlers. The test unit was an Outback with a rudder mount. There were several strong points. The system is ridiculously lightweight. Connections are the highest quality we saw, by far. It just plain worked. The rudder mount is great, easy to retract when necessary. It plays nice with the Mirage Drive. It was the ultimate in range-increasing flexibility. Downsides besides the price: the power unit sucked up several blades of eel grass. They gummed the works slightly, but it didn't appear they could have caused damage or entered the motor case. Range seemed about half that of the OK Torque with full-size gel battery. That wasn't a big deal, because the eVolve throttle control displays speed, range, remaining charge, and so on. In reverse only, the rudder mount was prone to pulling itself out of the water. Just go slow. The rest of the story is on the web. Just look for Kayak Angler Magazine. Digital issues are $1.