I bought a Hobie Lynx back around the 1st of July... probably the best purchase I ever made...been kayak fishing for about 6 yrs...can honestly say I made that choice because of your videos...I live in the very northwest corner of Ohio...thanks for your awesome channel!
You got that thing through some skinny water! Whenever you make it down this way, you’ll need to bring that boat with you. I’ve got a great little river in mind that has some giant spots.
It was inflated to the recommended psi to start, but it definitely deflated in the morning when it was dark, and got really firm when the sun hit it. I was surprised at how much the pressure fluctuated, but I don’t think it negatively affected the kayak’s performance. I’m looking forward to trying the iTrek 11 when it is available, to see if the bigger size lessens the fluctuation.
how long to inflate with the hand pump? I still have a i11s hobie inflatable with 3 chambers and seems your hobie has only one chamber that I am worry to get this model. 3 chambers if one or two leaks you still have a chance to get back to shore but one chamber make me worry. How do you feel?
It took me about 15 minutes, I think, to inflate...it has been a while since this demo, but I know the info is in the video. I would prefer the i11 because of the 3 air chambers, but I don't have any safety concerns about the i9. However, if I was taking any inflatable vessel out far from the launch, I would bring some sort of patch kit with me, no matter what kayak or brand the inflatable was.
It was firm in the garage when I pumped it up, but it definitely had some give during the cool morning hours, and was very firm again after the sun hit it and it warmed up. From what I understand, the iTrek9 only has one air bladder, so I believe some fluctuation is normal, and the iTrek11 has three air bladders, and should be much more consistent in firmness. However, it did not bother me in the slightest, I never felt like it was not seaworthy even when it felt a little low.
The iTrek 9 blew a little in the wind, but when the rudder is down, you have steering control, so you just adjust and pedal a little and you don't even notice the wind. Now when I was going over really shallow riffles, I pulled the pedals and put the rudder up, and paddling that without the rudder was like riding an inflatable pool toy down the rapids (which, honestly, I secretly enjoyed... inside I was yelling, "wheeeeeeeee!"). The instant the rudder goes down, it becomes a well mannered fishing vessel.
I heard the iTrek 11 is coming out in spring, and that is the one I am really interested in. Where the 9 has one air "pocket", the 11 has 3, so there is less of a swing in air pressure as the temperature changes through the day. People absolutely love the older version of the 11, and many are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new version!
The iTrek9 is similar to the Lynx in shape, but a little smaller...I think the iTrek11 would be a more direct comparison, I believe it is about the same dimensions to the Lynx. The i9 had a little bit of "play" in the firmness... before the sun rose, it felt a little deflated (just a little, not enough to bother me), when the sun hit it, it felt quite firm, and then when the sun went down, it felt slightly deflated again. Strictly Sail & Kayak told me the i9 has one air chamber so it will react to temperature changes more, but the i11 has 3 chambers, so it would probably be much more consistent. But as for how it did on the river, it was great going over the really shallow riffles because of the shallow draft on the hull, and was wonderfully light to carry on the portages. On the shallow riffles you have the choice of either dragging the rudder or flipping it up, at which point it is like paddling an inflatable pool toy that kept trying to spin around but was mostly controllable with a paddle. I really had fun with it, and if I had the extra money I would grab up an iTrek11 in a heartbeat as a companion to the Lynx.
@@stevesafety6743 the iTrek series is definitely all of those things! Both versions (9 & 11) deflate to be packed into a large backpack for transport. I can’t afford anything these days, so I get it!
The hull of the Lynx would not have liked being beat against the rocks in the shallow sections, but other than that it handles great in rivers… just not rivers where you’ll be hitting the hull on stuff. I took the Lynx on a bigger river section of the river, and it was awesome in the current. I pointed the nose upriver and pedaled slowly to hold in place to fish some structure.
@@GirlGoneFishing so you think the i9 or i11 are more durable on shallow rivers than the lynx would be. If you could only have one of them and you fish both rivers and lakes, which would you chose?
If I could only have one, I would choose the Lynx because it is amazing in 99% of all fishing situations. But you would have to be aware that the hull is foam, layered with fiberglass, covered in a thin skin, so picture what happens to fiberglass in an impact with a rock or a tree. Because it is a foam core, the boat won't sink, but it can puncture or crack the hull, and water can get in to soak into the foam, increasing the boat weight. I've heard Hobie is coming out with a second generation Lynx, possibly in 2022, so I'm curious how they address the hull. I would gladly have it be 5 pounds heavier and be stronger or more protected! The iTrek 9 was cool, but I would want to try the 11 before picking between them. From what I understand, that boat is made with the same material as the whitewater rafts they use on the big rivers, so we know that is made to withstand impacts with rocks and things. But you are limited in how you can accessorize the iTrek because it is an inflatable, so I'm not sure it would work as my main boat for tournament fishing... I need more stuff with me! But the i9 and the i11 are amazing for what they excel at.... putting it in your backseat and hitting the road, or checking on an airplane for vacation, super light for river portages, even perfect for the angler who lives on a 3rd floor apartment and needs to carry their kayak up each time. Just deflate it, throw in in the bag, and off you go!
It seemed to be affected by the sun. When I blew it up at the ramp in the morning, it was firm but did bend a little under my feet when I stood up (it didn't bother me at all and was perfectly great except that little bend under my feet when standing). But when the sun came up it got really firm, and when the sun went down it did that bending thing again. I think I may have underfilled it just a bit since it was my first time inflating one. If it means anything, I would buy one if I had the funds! Actually I would buy an iTrek11 if that was a choice... it has 3 air chambers and feels a little more solid, but if I couldn't get one of those, I would happily take an iTrek9 for rivers and fun days on the water!
@@GirlGoneFishing when you’re sitting in your boat, you should be able to read the words hobie on the paddle, if you look they are upside down the way you’re holding it. It’s a common mistake, because our brain thinks the thicker part of the fin should be in the water. Flip it around and turn it right side up, and you’ll have more control.
I don't know. If you check out. April Vokey's preview chapter. From her new course on river rafting. Looking at the course though. Which is set in the larger, faster flowing rivers. Of the Pacific north west region. You really begin. To gauge the size. That some of these rivers are. And the river in which. The instructor in that new course. Was demonstrating his approach. To control of a raft in a flowing water situation. The river was at a 'summer time' level only. You could easily imagine. The river in the footage. Being several feet higher and faster moving. At other times of the year. Other than in. The summer time. Looking at these warm river habitats. In which the bass anglers will fish. Is interesting. And operates at a different scale. From that of Yos Gladstone. In which 'raft' kind of craft. Which had oar locks and two oars. That he used to control the vessel. In the water.
What I could detect though. Was that many of the things. Yos Gladstone was demonstrating. By using those two oars. Contained in his oar locks on the raft. Of whatever type of raft it was. Was it's basically. The same thing. From a mechanical point of view. As the two fins. That exist too. On the bottom of those kayak vessels. That the bass anglers work with. I would say. That the kayak angler. Especially the one. Who works in small rivers and places. Could learn. A few important lessons. From what Yos was talking about. On the larger water. That would equally apply. Just as basic principles. Down into the small rivers too.
It reacted to the sun a bit, when the sun was fully out the kayak was quite firm but when the sun went behind the clouds the kayak got just a bit softer. The iTrek9 has one air chamber so I guess this is more of a factor than with the iTrek11 that has 3 air chambers and you aren't supposed to be able to see any of the pressure changes. Not that it mattered at all for the function of the iTrek9 in my demo day, it was still an amazing inflatable kayak!
I bought a Hobie Lynx back around the 1st of July... probably the best purchase I ever made...been kayak fishing for about 6 yrs...can honestly say I made that choice because of your videos...I live in the very northwest corner of Ohio...thanks for your awesome channel!
Awesome, thanks! I hope you love your Lynx as much as I do!
Good morning Melissa! I am loving my Lynx. Have a nice day Kris
I'm so glad you love your Lynx... I think it is the best kayak I've ever used!
@@GirlGoneFishing indeed. Thank again for your inspiration. Tight line and stay safe!
@@AOSD12345 Thanks, you too! :)
Maybe not the best fishing day ever, but that looks like a great day. Whoo hoo!!!!. The inflatable Hobie looks like a dang good choice too.
Maybe a good mountain kayak!
Thank you , I'm buying this drag strap thanks to you.
It has been really helpful for me!
Great video!! It looks like that kayak was perfect for that river trip. Keep posting the awesome videos
Thanks for the filming help!
Looks like so much fun! Thank you.
Would have been more fun with some giant smallmouth bass, but otherwise a great day on the river with a really fun kayak!
You got that thing through some skinny water! Whenever you make it down this way, you’ll need to bring that boat with you. I’ve got a great little river in mind that has some giant spots.
I'll throw it in the backseat and put the Lynx on the roof!
That didn't look inflated all the way... is there a pressure gauge on the pump? I thought it would be more rigid with the cross stitching.
It was inflated to the recommended psi to start, but it definitely deflated in the morning when it was dark, and got really firm when the sun hit it. I was surprised at how much the pressure fluctuated, but I don’t think it negatively affected the kayak’s performance. I’m looking forward to trying the iTrek 11 when it is available, to see if the bigger size lessens the fluctuation.
it is really a amazing video, i am your No 2201 sub, hope to see more
Awesome, thanks! :)
how long to inflate with the hand pump? I still have a i11s hobie inflatable with 3 chambers and seems your hobie has only one chamber that I am worry to get this model. 3 chambers if one or two leaks you still have a chance to get back to shore but one chamber make me worry. How do you feel?
It took me about 15 minutes, I think, to inflate...it has been a while since this demo, but I know the info is in the video. I would prefer the i11 because of the 3 air chambers, but I don't have any safety concerns about the i9. However, if I was taking any inflatable vessel out far from the launch, I would bring some sort of patch kit with me, no matter what kayak or brand the inflatable was.
What crate did you use in this video? Would you recommend that same size for that itrek 9 inflatable?
That is the Hobie H Crate that I use on my Hobie Lynx usually, it worked great on this iTrek 9, giving me rod holders and storage on the inflatable.
strictlysailinc.com/products/hobie-h-crate-storage-system-item-72020088?_pos=1&_sid=1f5a67bb3&_ss=r
Pump to 10 PSI or was that not possible? Looked very flat in your video?
It was firm in the garage when I pumped it up, but it definitely had some give during the cool morning hours, and was very firm again after the sun hit it and it warmed up. From what I understand, the iTrek9 only has one air bladder, so I believe some fluctuation is normal, and the iTrek11 has three air bladders, and should be much more consistent in firmness. However, it did not bother me in the slightest, I never felt like it was not seaworthy even when it felt a little low.
Süperrr my dear friend
Thank you!
@@GirlGoneFishing You 're welcome
How does that kayak hold in windy conditions?
The iTrek 9 blew a little in the wind, but when the rudder is down, you have steering control, so you just adjust and pedal a little and you don't even notice the wind. Now when I was going over really shallow riffles, I pulled the pedals and put the rudder up, and paddling that without the rudder was like riding an inflatable pool toy down the rapids (which, honestly, I secretly enjoyed... inside I was yelling, "wheeeeeeeee!"). The instant the rudder goes down, it becomes a well mannered fishing vessel.
GirlGoneFishing thanks!, Keep up with your great content
I heard the iTrek 11 is coming out in spring, and that is the one I am really interested in. Where the 9 has one air "pocket", the 11 has 3, so there is less of a swing in air pressure as the temperature changes through the day. People absolutely love the older version of the 11, and many are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new version!
How does it compare to the Lynx?
The iTrek9 is similar to the Lynx in shape, but a little smaller...I think the iTrek11 would be a more direct comparison, I believe it is about the same dimensions to the Lynx. The i9 had a little bit of "play" in the firmness... before the sun rose, it felt a little deflated (just a little, not enough to bother me), when the sun hit it, it felt quite firm, and then when the sun went down, it felt slightly deflated again. Strictly Sail & Kayak told me the i9 has one air chamber so it will react to temperature changes more, but the i11 has 3 chambers, so it would probably be much more consistent. But as for how it did on the river, it was great going over the really shallow riffles because of the shallow draft on the hull, and was wonderfully light to carry on the portages. On the shallow riffles you have the choice of either dragging the rudder or flipping it up, at which point it is like paddling an inflatable pool toy that kept trying to spin around but was mostly controllable with a paddle. I really had fun with it, and if I had the extra money I would grab up an iTrek11 in a heartbeat as a companion to the Lynx.
@@GirlGoneFishing Thanks. Unfortunately I can only afford 1 kayak. I want something light weight, durable, and easy to transport
@@stevesafety6743 the iTrek series is definitely all of those things! Both versions (9 & 11) deflate to be packed into a large backpack for transport. I can’t afford anything these days, so I get it!
How would the lynx have handled that trip?
The hull of the Lynx would not have liked being beat against the rocks in the shallow sections, but other than that it handles great in rivers… just not rivers where you’ll be hitting the hull on stuff. I took the Lynx on a bigger river section of the river, and it was awesome in the current. I pointed the nose upriver and pedaled slowly to hold in place to fish some structure.
@@GirlGoneFishing so you think the i9 or i11 are more durable on shallow rivers than the lynx would be. If you could only have one of them and you fish both rivers and lakes, which would you chose?
If I could only have one, I would choose the Lynx because it is amazing in 99% of all fishing situations. But you would have to be aware that the hull is foam, layered with fiberglass, covered in a thin skin, so picture what happens to fiberglass in an impact with a rock or a tree. Because it is a foam core, the boat won't sink, but it can puncture or crack the hull, and water can get in to soak into the foam, increasing the boat weight. I've heard Hobie is coming out with a second generation Lynx, possibly in 2022, so I'm curious how they address the hull. I would gladly have it be 5 pounds heavier and be stronger or more protected! The iTrek 9 was cool, but I would want to try the 11 before picking between them. From what I understand, that boat is made with the same material as the whitewater rafts they use on the big rivers, so we know that is made to withstand impacts with rocks and things. But you are limited in how you can accessorize the iTrek because it is an inflatable, so I'm not sure it would work as my main boat for tournament fishing... I need more stuff with me! But the i9 and the i11 are amazing for what they excel at.... putting it in your backseat and hitting the road, or checking on an airplane for vacation, super light for river portages, even perfect for the angler who lives on a 3rd floor apartment and needs to carry their kayak up each time. Just deflate it, throw in in the bag, and off you go!
there was no original electric pump by the way 😂
That's what I get for getting my info second hand! 🤣
Looks deflated. Haven't seen that in any other Itrek 9 videos......🤔
It seemed to be affected by the sun. When I blew it up at the ramp in the morning, it was firm but did bend a little under my feet when I stood up (it didn't bother me at all and was perfectly great except that little bend under my feet when standing). But when the sun came up it got really firm, and when the sun went down it did that bending thing again. I think I may have underfilled it just a bit since it was my first time inflating one. If it means anything, I would buy one if I had the funds! Actually I would buy an iTrek11 if that was a choice... it has 3 air chambers and feels a little more solid, but if I couldn't get one of those, I would happily take an iTrek9 for rivers and fun days on the water!
FYI you’re holding the paddle upside down.
Not sure I know what you are referring to, sorry.
@@GirlGoneFishing when you’re sitting in your boat, you should be able to read the words hobie on the paddle, if you look they are upside down the way you’re holding it. It’s a common mistake, because our brain thinks the thicker part of the fin should be in the water. Flip it around and turn it right side up, and you’ll have more control.
I don't know. If you check out. April Vokey's preview chapter. From her new course on river rafting. Looking at the course though. Which is set in the larger, faster flowing rivers. Of the Pacific north west region. You really begin. To gauge the size. That some of these rivers are. And the river in which. The instructor in that new course. Was demonstrating his approach. To control of a raft in a flowing water situation. The river was at a 'summer time' level only. You could easily imagine. The river in the footage. Being several feet higher and faster moving. At other times of the year. Other than in. The summer time. Looking at these warm river habitats. In which the bass anglers will fish. Is interesting. And operates at a different scale. From that of Yos Gladstone. In which 'raft' kind of craft. Which had oar locks and two oars. That he used to control the vessel. In the water.
What I could detect though. Was that many of the things. Yos Gladstone was demonstrating. By using those two oars. Contained in his oar locks on the raft. Of whatever type of raft it was. Was it's basically. The same thing. From a mechanical point of view. As the two fins. That exist too. On the bottom of those kayak vessels. That the bass anglers work with. I would say. That the kayak angler. Especially the one. Who works in small rivers and places. Could learn. A few important lessons. From what Yos was talking about. On the larger water. That would equally apply. Just as basic principles. Down into the small rivers too.
@@academicmailbox7798 Interesting stuff!
Its hard to give you a thumbs down but dont think i like the kayak your great though
lol thanks, I guess! I always thought thumbs down means you hate the video, not what kayak I'm in, but you do you. :)
Your right that makes more sense ill comment on the kayak separately
Under inflated
It reacted to the sun a bit, when the sun was fully out the kayak was quite firm but when the sun went behind the clouds the kayak got just a bit softer. The iTrek9 has one air chamber so I guess this is more of a factor than with the iTrek11 that has 3 air chambers and you aren't supposed to be able to see any of the pressure changes. Not that it mattered at all for the function of the iTrek9 in my demo day, it was still an amazing inflatable kayak!