Hobie Passport 10.5 - ON WATER REVIEW

2023 Hobie Passport
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(NOT A PAID PROMOTION....THIS IS A NON-BIAS REVIEW)
This video is a comprehensive review of the 2019 Hobie Passport 10.5 Mirage Drive Pedal Kayak. I went to my local Hobie dealer (Estero River Outfitters) and tested one out on the water. I then tried some of the fun accessories for it like the Bimini shade & Mirage Sail Kit. I even go in depth on measuring some key areas. This kayak fits paddlers up to 275lbs (max seat capacity) and holds 325lbs total weight paddler & gear. More details can be found at links above.
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[@LarryTalbot_1313]

Excellent coverage here. I didn't have a single question at the end! But I was sure Hobie was were going to save the release for this one for iCAST and try to snag some awards to boost sales! Just goes to show, no matter how many years I've been in this hobby, I get fooled once in a while too! I think this might be the poor man's answer to the TI, with the extra the add-ons! I love the bimini idea. Of course that's nothing new, but this one plugs right in. What more can you ask for?! And I think we are heading in that direction because it seems the sun is getting more treacherous with each passing year. Its had to enjoy a relaxing day on the water when the sun is cooking you from above and sweat is burning your eyes!

[@montrich1]

I love this kayak! It has great stability. The kayak is wide so i feel more secure. It is perfect for me!

[@cup_and_cone]

Great video. Looks fast with that hull. It's almost crying for some Turbo fins on the drive!

[@KayakDIY]

Cup & Cone true, turbo fins or the new MD180 drive system make this kayak fly even more.

[@nipponhouseplayer]

Great vid!

[@BoomVang]

A missing pulley in the back is due to wisdom, not oversight. It helps to not have so much force transmitted to your hand gripping the slick line in medium or strong winds. Don't tie it or chock it, but appreciate the near perfect amount of friction as designed. P.S. it sails better upwind than down or sidewind due to no boom.

[@velocity800]

What we want to see you try is the Mokai kayak!!

[@KayakDIY]

*Online Hobie Kayak Dealer:* ecofishingshop.com/pages/search-results-page?q=hobie&page=1&rb_vendor=Hobie&rb_price=961%2C5499%7C10.9900%2C5499.0000&aff=20 *Motor Kits For Hobie Kayaks:* bit.ly/BixpyMotorKits

[@joenavy3136]

Upgrading. Getting one today. Going with 12ft passport down here on the forgotten coast. LTD.

[@trairasaventuras9920]

Muito bacana, em breve estarei com o meu!

[@bbd.popcorn4576]

Very helpful review. Thank u :) Do you know the colour of this Bimini shade? It looks darker than Poseidon blue?

[@ufdffdd1]

Good video man

[@KayakDIY]

Thank you!

[@ratherbfishing455]

Very nice review! I'll stick with my Hobie Revolution.

[@openedmind5619]

For a minute I thought you were the catfish/carp fishing KZbinr. Love going to the Estero River Outfitters.

[@KayakDIY]

Nope...not sure exactly who that is. I did bowfish carp up in the Midwest a lot though. Estero River Outfitters has a great group of guys and gals. The waterways are fun to paddle.

[@albertskiski]

Thanks for making this video. I'm looking for a recreational kayak to kayak a small lake by my house (Tampier Lake, IL). I don't fish and don't plan on fishing. I might end up paddling more than peddling because I want the upper body exercise. The reason I'm leaning towards the Passport is because of the sail option. Would you recommend the Passport for me or would you recommend ditching the sail option and just getting a sit-in kayak?

[@jeffreyau1286]

Can u do a review like that with the Passport 12. I know it kind of similar. But I think the length made a big difference between the stability and the performance.

[@aussiebornandbred]

Great review, thanks mate, i would of loved to see an underwater shot of the fins in action, and also, how shallow can i go into?, without needing to remove the drive? Most of my fishing is done in estuaries in very shallow water(1 to 3 feet) , chasing flatheads thanks again

[@KayakDIY]

Aussie born and bred the Hobies go the shallowest. However, my Ocean Kayak Malibu PDL goes pretty darn shallow too. I was surprised how shallow the PDL series by Ocean Kayak and Old Town can do. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioK2e4J9g6hkrJY

[@josemadrigal3143]

Great video, i am looking into getting one of these kayaks, i was wondering if the pedal drive can do reverse? Thanks again!

[@KayakDIY]

Not that particular one. You can always upgrade to MD180 drive. All the Hobie’s share the same drive slot….so all drives fit. Only exception is the MD360 drive.

[@Ozzypup1]

Looks like a decent kayak for a toy/play boat or for kids. But if I was going to buy something in this price point Id go with the Pelican as I fish from my kayak. And Id like more room then this kayak has.

[@fish4fun354]

9:58 That would be perfect here in Kansas.

[@KayakDIY]

Fish 4 Fun heck yeah it would. You have pretty consistent wind. I grew up in the Midwest.

[@patdud1979]

Quick question when you stand up for stability how does it compare to the Pelicans catch 100??

[@KayakDIY]

It is similar stability. If I had to be critical I would say it is slightly less stable in terms of “initial stability”. It has great secondary stability. I felt confident on it and I was even leaning into the turns and pedaling fast through the canal. The kayak is quick to get up to speed. Minimal effort yields a nice cruising speed of 3mph+.

[@kathythorpe77]

Is Hobie the only kayak that offers a Bimini top?

[@vagabond-yj8pn]

That’s the first time I’ve seen someone actually put the sail on a hobi. Now I’d like to see some sailing with one.

[@KayakDIY]

I guess that will be another video. Couldn’t really show sailing there since it was a narrow canal with lots of trees. 🙂

[@vagabond-yj8pn]

KayakDIY Great!

[@cup_and_cone]

Haven't tried on this hull design, but you can get some terrific speed on an Outback in the right conditions...but you need to be at least somewhat knowledgeable of sailing principals before trying. It is possible to get rolled over if you do not know what you're doing.

[@Internetpilot]

I have no doubt the sail works great. I've used golf umbrellas (that I had onboard for shade/rain -- in Florida you frequently need it for both reasons in the same hour 😂) as an impromptu sail, and even in mild to moderate winds I was easily going faster than paddle speeds. Made the paddle back to the launch at the end if a long day a lot easier!

[@vagabond-yj8pn]

Chris Pilot 🤔⛱

[@user-lm6ug8ht2x]

👍👍👍

[@KayakDIY]

☺️👍👍 thanks

[@romyromeo5622]

Racing man..😋😋

[@guychevalier2040]

Does it peddle in reverse ? Thanks

[@amblo51]

I love the Bimini top, do you think you could cast and fight a fish with it on?

[@KayakDIY]

Tony Bishop you could cast, but the front mounting post and lines would cause some interference with fighting larger fish species. It was dang nice having it though in the hot Florida sun!

[@amblo51]

KayakDIY It would be great here in south Texas too!

[@pa1264]

They sell them here in Australia for $2000

[@aaronirwin5586]

I am dying at all the comments asking your height and weight 😂 Especially to the ones you responded! Any word on the Riot Mako Kayaks availability? I am going to subscribe just in case of any news and also for more great videos!

[@KayakDIY]

Btw I lost weight from filming at iCAST. Lots of walking. I’m now 197lbs. 😂

[@aaronirwin5586]

@@KayakDIY haha! I would probably forget to eat with all those new kayaks to look at. Looking to get a new kayak soon as I figure out what I want. Just moved down to East coast of Florida and have my eye on the Hobie tandem adventure island for the sailing but gonna try to rent one first. If I buy an expensive kayak my wife will make me sell one of the motorcycles so the Riot 10 for $999 looks perfect and has the only price tag I'd want my wife to see.

[@KayakDIY]

Aaron Irwin that was part of the reason too. I do forget to eat when I get into filming. I probably had 4 meals total all those days. Big meals, but likely only 4.

[@traumahawk517]

Looks ok but, I want to fish,,That's why i'm going to buy the Pelican 130 HyDryve..I think hobie passport is geared more for beginners..Thank You for the Review,,,very informative,,good work.

[@KayakDIY]

Frederick Rassmann Pelican Catch 130HD will have a bit more for fishermen. It is a bit more money, but some anglers might find it worth it.

[@seanmurphy8765]

So I’m trying to find a good pedal kayak (preferably a mirage drive) and I’m at a price point around $1300. I was looking at the pelican catch 130 HD but my friend went to try it out and he said that it just felt cheap and poorly made. I mostly just want to fish the flats and backcountry and occasionally bass fishing and I need to be able to stand up to throw lures. Would this be the right kayak for me? Hopefully you can help thank you!

[@KayakDIY]

Not if standing a lot is your big goal. It can be done, but I would advise you to keep your eyes open for a gently used Hobie Outback, Compass, or if lucky a Pro Angler. Also Native’s slayer series are very nice and a lot more stable than the Passport. Passport is ok for stability but I would want to stand up on it for a long time. If you want “new” then look at Riot Mako Pedal Kayaks. I plan to get some. I saw them at iCAST and liked them a lot. They are pedal kayaks that start at $999.

[@burtgordon4796]

I really like it but what’s up with the manual rudder deployment. That’s ridiculous. Also too low for fishing comfort. I guess they really aren’t targeting fishing with this model.

[@Internetpilot]

Great, thorough video review! I think it's a $300 hull with an overpriced 1st gen Hobie pedal drive that Hobie only put out to counter the strong competition from the Pelican Catch 130 HD. For the recreational kayak market, it's a good counter-punch, but the Pelican hull is soooooo much better featured for fishing than the Passport hull that in the end I think for fishing market it's a swing and a miss unless you're a little light in the wallet but dying to own the Hobie brand. Overall, I'd give it a rating of "meh". 😂

[@KayakDIY]

That could be said of almost all kayaks. All kayak hulls are truly worth few hundred or less. BIC sport makes the hulls for Hobie. They have the facilities. They then get the blank hulls and my understanding is Hobie them rigs them with hardware/seats.

[@Internetpilot]

@@KayakDIY wow, interesting about BIC making the hulls for the Passport. There are a lot of people (Hobie zealots) proclaiming the Passport to be superior to Pelican's thermoform kayaks simply because it's a Hobie when it's actually a BIC, a company better known for it's pens and cigarette lighters. :D I think you've actually made my point even better than I did.

[@KayakDIY]

I will say for thermoforming it looks really nice. You need to see one in person. Also, the black mirage hole area is removable and serviceable unlike other rotomolded models. I worked in rotomolding and I’m partial to that process, but BIC/Hobie did a great job. BIC does make kayaks. I actually have footage of them and forgot to produce it. There is so much at these expo events it is easy to forget. I film 200-350gb of footage at least at the events.

[@Internetpilot]

@@KayakDIY I'm sure this is a nice kayak -- I'm actually a fan of thermoforming myself, even though I only own three rotomolded kayaks, but my point was just that the Hobie zealots were quick to call this a Pelican killer because they thought Hobie manufactured the hull. It will be interesting to see what the zealots think of Hobie using a BIC hull.

[@KayakDIY]

Chris Pilot I don’t think it is a Pelican killer. As for BIC making the hull I don’t think it will matter to most folks. They just want Hobie to stand behind it like their other models. I like thermoforming a lot. I want to see Hobie offer a lightweight thermoform ABS Outback or PA.

[@steveross2280]

6'2"

[@alanskyy]

The sensation of tipping? Man, that thing looks shaky as hell. As someone else said, looks great for kids.

[@KayakDIY]

If you are aware of what initial and secondary stability are as a kayaker then this will make sense. The initial stability is on the low end and thus gives appearance of being tippy. The secondary stability is what matters and it is predictable and yields confidence in not flipping. I wasn’t afraid of flipping at any point.

[@hgfghufvfdgyfvjuuggdsrtvvh3760]

That’s fastster then the outback..

[@jairusaudwin2605]

Do u always have to hold the steering when u want to keep pedaling straight?

[@KayakDIY]

No. It holds position.

[@jairusaudwin2605]

Ok so that is one advantage of using rod instead of cable for rudder control.

[@ItsDLC]

Good stable kayak but the rudder and seat are lousy. Yeah it's comfortable for the first week then it stretches to the point it's touching the plastic and literally a pain in the butt. I'm 150 lbs so it's not a weight issue. No middle support in the seat. I'm waiting on rudder #3 to arrive and they get in no hurry to send warranty claims.

[@andybaker2944]

How is the seat comfort?

[@KayakDIY]

Andy Baker I could easily be out on it all day. However the Vantage CT seating on the other Hobie models is much more comfortable without a doubt. If you’ve never owned one of them you would never know what you were missing though.

[@kdt7819]

is the lack of being able to reverse an issue?

[@KayakDIY]

For some…yes. For other people in more open spaces it doesn’t matter. For many years all Hobies were forward only…we all had a blast. You can always upgrade later to a reverse capable drive. Sometimes deals on used market.

[@dusbus2384]

Perfect starter boat for kids. Still at the price point I think you get more from the pelican

[@KayakDIY]

You do get more kayak length and rod holders, but it is more money. This has pretty cool ability to sail or have Bimini which some may like. Everyone will have to weigh that decision. I don’t try to sway folks. I just try to present the kayaks in a fair manner and let others decide.

[@KayakDIY]

"You know nothing Jon Snow." ~ G.O.T

[@bridgerstaker3654]

Anyone know how much he weighs and how tall he is?

[@KayakDIY]

It is in the video...multiple times. 😉

[@thereelaccountant9246]

Does this have reverse.

[@KayakDIY]

No

[@KayakDIY]

It is compatible with the drives which have reverse. You could possibly pay for upgrade.

[@agentscu11y]

want lighter & slimmer hobie. under 60lb & width 28~29". someday

[@KayakDIY]

agentscu11y maybe if they do a thermoform ABS mirage drive kayak it could achieve those specs. New Riot Makos have thermoform ABS pedal kayaks and they look awesome. Plan to get some.

[@Expandacraftboats]

I have an outrigger kit (Expandacraft) .com and sell a bunch of them to guys with this kayak so they can mount a gas motor on it and go fish WAY off shore where you shouldn't be in a kayak. But hey, dudes gonna do what a dudes gonna do.

[@KayakDIY]

Love the ExpandaCraft systems. 👍

[@plutoplatters]

I love how man now calls $1,200 a "starter" craft.

[@KayakDIY]

I don’t call it anything. I just try to show what it can do and leave the people viewing to decide. Not my role 😉

[@Kickthelighter]

Well it is a entry level hobie...

[@mathewt767]

Anybody happen to catch his tall he is?

[@steveross2280]

6'2" at around 1:20 into the video

[@bamabeeper]

how tall are you and how much do you weigh ?

[@KayakDIY]

Hahaha. Did you watch the video? 😉 I only ask because during the video editing I had to edit out me saying that too often. I said it several times. I even have it pop up in the video. I’m 200lbs and 6ft 2in tall.

[@MyVantasticLifeVoyage]

He was kidding. I almost asked you the same question.

[@03hobie]

I'd rather get a used Outback

[@nickwilson2364]

"we put are old flippers on some melted down Walmart kayaks we bought, were selling them for 1400" -Hobie

[@KayakDIY]

You aren’t the first to bash this particular model....yet this model still sells like crazy. For under $2000 my favorite pedal kayaks right now are Big Fish 108, Ocean Kayak Malibu PDL, and Lightning Strike HD.

[@bobseaver7807]

KayakDIY have you ever tried a Native Manta Ray peddle drive?

[@bornlucky9564]

The top not solid color. Hobie paint blue on top the white bodies. My Hobie Passport 10.5 2021 have couple white spot; I only used it 3 time in 2 months. $1600 with tax not cheap. because I want small and light kayak, BS

[@velocity800]

Omg! You don’t wanna tip over that milky bacteria filled canal. Yuck!! That kayak looks unstable

[@KayakDIY]

It has a higher level of initial tippyness, but if you continue leaning it has a high secondary stability which you can clearly feel. I felt pretty confident on it. I purposely leaned into the turns as I pedaled through the winding canals. It was kind of fun, it felt like I was in a racecar. The kayak isn’t going to be for extreme offshore ocean waters, but calm to moderate waves I would feel fine on. As for fishing it is a basic fishing kayak. It isn’t decked out like an Outback or Pro Angler. The kayak will fit well with the occasional weekend angler who paddles inshore, lakes, and rivers. For the diehard anglers with “bigger budgets” they might want to go with an Outback, Pro Angler, Native Titan, Native Slayer, etc. The Compass fits somewhere in between and is priced as such. If budget is huge concern another pedal kayak I plan to test is the Riot Mako series. It has an interesting hull design, comes in multiple sizes, and is the lowest priced pedal kayak on the market.

[@KayakDIY]

That being said, in terms of water quality the KayakDIY Channel was a large sponsor for the Calusa Waterkeeper organization. They are aware of poor water quality issues in the area and have been putting up a great fight with politicians and in the courtrooms.

[@nathanhighvoltage5259]

Over priced hunk of plastic