Yakabout - Hobie i-comfort seat has arrived

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Hobie i-comfort seat has arrived

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Wednesday, 03 September 2008

Someone is listening :-)

I've often compared the experience of pedalling a Hobie Mirage kayak to that of pedalling a bicycle, especially to those who are wondering how much physical exertion one needs to expell in order to reach cruising speeds. I also use a push bike as an example when I'm asked if using a Hobie gives you a sore backside. To those that aren't use to it (ie: beginners - especially those that have bony bums or don't get much exersise, or both), much like riding a pushbike, some people might find it a bit of a pain in the butt after a few hours. Not everyone experiences this - and many that do only experience it briefly - but to those who do, Hobie have now come up with a solution. Behold, the i-comfort seat pad.

The i-comfort seat pad is a self-inflating pad that replaces the standard foam core pad and can be used on both the old and new style seats. It is exactly like a self-inflating camping mat, with a tough nylon upper and a non-slip surface underneath. I use to use a small self-inflating camping seat pad to do much the same thing, although unlike this, there was no way to attach it and as such, would slip around all over the place. The i-comfort pad screws into place though, so it would be much better than my make-shift fix (that I believe Astro still employs). They'll be turning up on dealers shelves as I type so if you like the idea of making those longer trips a bit more comfy, pop into your dealer and take a peek. I know Astro will be checking them out :-)

While you're there, keep an eye out for the new fish grips, which are made from glow-in-the-dark plastic, and float: two attributes perfectly suited for kayak fishing.

Update: I tried out the i-comfort seat out in Jervis Bay today and it was every bit as good as I'd hoped. It really is more plush than the standard seat pad, and is warmer to. It also occured to me that you could also double them up (inflated pad underneath, foam pad on top) for ultimate in luxurious kayak fishing.