The New Hobie eVolve Electric Drive - It's Here!

Back in July, we brought you some preliminary photos of the new Hobie eVolve Electric Drive. Here's a little refresher:

We're happy to announce that the eVolve Electric Drive is here! As you can see from the photos, it can be added to almost any Hobie kayak, either fitting into the MirageDrive pedal well or onto any Hobie Twist-n-Stow rudder - both mounts are included. For users with the Hobie MirageDrive peddle system, this means extra flexibility: drop the eVolve into your MirageDrive slot or place it in the rudder position and use it with the peddle system for extra range and power.

So, what else does the eVolve include? Glad you asked!


Lithium batter/Computer/GPS
A 230wh Lithium-Manganese battery (8Ah at 28.8V) is the heart that pumps the power to Torqeedo's Ultra light 402 motor. At only 6.6 pounds, this battery case has a built-in GPS (for speed calculations) and is completely watertight…it actually floats! At a full charge, this battery will continue to perform for up to 8 hours (based on 2 MPH cruising speed).


Remote Throttle
The remote throttle allows you to mount your controls conveniently near your seating position using a RAM^® mounting system (provided with kit). The easy to understand readout gives you all of the critical information you need to know to get you to and from your destination. The throttle pad is also equipped with a magnetic key pad for a safety key in the event you are separated from your kayak or to prevent theft.

Thru-Hull Fittings
The installation kit comes with all the parts needed to run all of your wires internally for a clean deck with minimal exposed wire.

Waterproof System
Hobie's totally unique connection system allows everything to be completely IP68 watertight when connected.

If you have a Hobie and you're looking for items to add to your Christmas list, the eVolve Electric Drive would make a great addition! Looking for something else..? Maybe a fly fishing kit or some Turbo Fins? Be sure to check out our full line up of Hobie kayak accessories!

What Do You Know About the Pungo?

Wilderness Systems recently released a great video on the Pungo family of kayaks, highlighting the features and outfitting that make them such a popular choice.

In addition to being Wildy's top selling performance recreational kayak, the Pungo is one of our favorites at the shop. It's super stable for the first time user, it's got speed for the more experienced paddler and, with it's many points of adjustment, the outfitting makes it one of the most comfortable rec boats out there.

The Pungo comes in three sizes to fit a multitude of people and purposes!

• The Pungo 100 [call for information]
  
• The Pungo 120 [$825.00 ON SALE! $699.00]
  
• The Pungo 140 [$950.00]
  

Go, go, Mighty Girl!

Watching someone nail their roll for the first time is always exciting - pool roll, combat roll - it's all great. Knowing that someone put learning to roll on their "bucket list" ("Might Life List" in this case) and seeing them nail it? Extra exciting. Introducing Mighty Girl - a blogger with a mission (a lot of them, actually) - and her new found roll. Congratulations, Mighty Girl and here's to your future kayak camping adventure.

The Story:
http://mightygirl.com/2009/09/24/learn-to-roll-in-a-kayak-check/

The Movie:
http://mightygirl.com/2009/09/25/rolling-a-kayak-the-movie/

p.s. Totally diggin' the multi-hued Dagger RPM. Nice!

Vibram FiveFinger Footstrike Video Analysis

Many of you runners who are sold on your Vibram FiveFingers may have read the book or the research or the articles, but how many of you have actually taken video to see the difference your VFFs are having on your stride and footstrike?

Runblogger has taken that step (pun intended)! Check out this great video analysis of his footstrike in traditional running shoes, his VFFs and barefoot. And don't miss Runblogger's posts on his Injinji socks, the VFF's BFF.

Save the Date! Riddle of the Tsangpo

Our last blog post neglected to mention another of the whitewater photography legends we're lucky to have in our Hood River midst, Mr. Charlie Munsey. Charlie has been paddling and shooting some of the world's most adventurous whitewater for over two decades, much of which has been featured in magazines such as National Geographic and Outside Magazine.

On Wednesday November 11th at 7:30, Charlie will be giving a multi-media presentation at the Columbia Center for the Arts, featuring images and stories from Outside Magazine's historic First Descent of the Tsangpo Gorge expedition in Tibet. If you've been paddling long, you've likely read "Courting the Diamond Sow" by Wickliffe W. Walker or one of the other Tsangpo books and know the dangers of the legendary river.

In addition to photos of the Tsangpo, Charlie will also be sharing photography of other remote rivers he's visited over his career, including Canada's mighty Stikine Canyon and Tibet's Mt. Kailas.

If you enjoy whitewater or outdoor photography, this show promises to be one not to miss! Tickets for the show are $8 at the door and can be purchased ahead of time at the Kayak Shed or Columbia Center for the Arts.

Whitewater Photography Tutorials

Hood River is blessed with some amazing outdoor photographers, and we're lucky that a few of those folks specialize in paddling photography. If you're looking for some great whitewater eye candy, check out locals Erik Boomer (who just scored Wend's Sunday Slideshow) or whitewater photo legend, Jock Bradley.

Despite the abundance of nearby whitewater to practice on, most of us will never have the gift that Erik and Jock have, but that doesn't mean that we can't learn some tricks of the trade.

Enter Darin McQuoid, who is in the midst of writing a great series of tutorials on whitewater photography. Everything from camera selection to technical skills are covered and it looks like fine tuning is still on the horizon! So, don't just take pictures of your buddies huckin', read up and take GOOD pictures of your buddies huckin'.


photo by Jock Bradley

End of the Summer Boat Sale!

Get your calendars out and save October 17, 2009 as a day you're going to want to be in the parking lot of the Kayak Shed! Why, you ask? We're going to be blowing out our 2009 rental and demo fleet and you're not going to want to miss it. Have you been waiting for a great deal on a Hobie or Jackson Kayak? Here's your chance, starting at 9am and going until 4pm.

We'll also be busting out the grill and beverage cooler for those of you that come out at lunch... but don't get there too late! Most blow-out deals are going to be one of a kind!

Here's a list of some of the boats we'll have available (more may be added!):

Hobie Kayaks: Revolution, Outback, Adventure Island
Jackson Kayak: Hero, Super Hero, Side Kick, Mega Rocker, Rocker, Punk Rocker, Dynamic Duo
Pyranha: Burn S, Burn M, Burn L, Karnali
Wilderness Systems: Tusanami 125, Tarpon 120, Tandem Rec Boat
Dagger: Zydeco
Native Watercraft: Ultimate 14.5 solo
Perception: Torrent, Tandem Sit On Top

Questions? Give us a call!