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Winter should not stop you enjoying your water sports. In fact some of the best boating conditions are experienced in winter. The winds are generally lighter, the seas and water ways flatter. But the most important rule about sailing or kayaking at this time of the year is to stay dry and stay warm. It might look sunny out there but a splash of water on you and then the wind chill factor reduces your core body temperature in no time at all and you want to go home. Or worse, the other person wants to go home because they didn’t invest in the right gear. The right protective clothing can be just as valuable than a good PFD, if not more because you will actually enjoy it benefits all year round rather than having to wait till your swimming and need the bouncy of the PFD.
To enjoy these conditions means wearing the right gear, and that gear has proven to be a combination of a light water proof layer of clothing that can be warn all year round and then the addition of thermal clothing underneath at this time of the year. The Kokatat Tempest Jacket combined with the matching socked pants keep you dry. They have been used now for many years by our members with no real wear or leaks. The Gill range was recommended to be warn underneath during the colder months, the combination of which keeps you both dry and warm and out there for longer having fun.
An added safety feature of the Gill Hydrophone is that they do not absorb much water, a very important point if you ever fall in, thicker pants like tracksuits absorb water and decrease your ability to stay on the surface with ease.. Thin Thermal products do not absorb so much water which does not decrease your buoyancy.
As for quality, don’t settle for second best either, you pay for what you get with any good quality product and after 3 years of year round use, my Kotatat’s do not leak and still seal around the neck and wrists. Kokatat are one of the world leaders in kayak clothing technology and whilst others try to copy them, I have never seen them match the durability found in the Kokatat range. The Tempest Jacket feels tight around the wrists when you first purchase them but after a short time they will fit snuggly. Don’t forget your feet either, they get very cold at this time of the year and a good wetsuit type boot or shoe is ideal for kayaking or sailing. Add socks under neath your water proof pants and your as warm as can be.
This article was written by Alistair Kelsall, I have been using these products for 3 years now without ever having one issue with them. We often turn up to Wivenhoe Dam at 6.00 am in the middle of winter to take advantage of the Westerlies that come though here. Believe me it is cold, and I mean very cold but in the gear that I have discussed here, we are warm and dry and can have fun in the cold. It is the only brand we recommend to the Island Club sailors and it was our need for such a product range that lead Sunstate Hobie to carry this line of clothing.
Protect your MirageDrive and other goods in your car from the drive! This heavy duty Cordura and mesh bag fits the complete MirageDrive with standard fins or the ST Turbo length. It has small pockets inside for scupper plugs or spare parts. Has a carry handle and a shoulder carry strap. There is extra space in the bag for things like a life vest or drive well plug.
Finally, we have settled back in to the ‘norm’ at our stores after a busy week of shows. The Central Queensland Mega Expo and the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show kept us flat out all week and we managed (just!) to keep it all under control. We would like to thank everyone who stopped and chatted with us at either show; it was great to see many familiar Sunstate Hobinators! The Mirage Eclipse was a real head turner; people were amazed at how the board works! As usual, people had to ‘see to believe’ the MirageDrive and how it operates. We look forward to the Brisbane boat show later in the year.
Mal and Chris were lucky to be joined by Scott and Elijah for some ‘Bloke Time’ on Saturdays episode of Creek to Coast. While the fish weren’t biting, the time spent on the water enjoying the company meant the boys had a great time (while even getting a workout!). Our Pro Angler 17T and Oasis were the perfect platforms for the guys to kick back and chat – the social seating setting being an added bonus for the 17T. To catch the segment online, visit Creek to Coast.
Have a Hobie Day!
The Team at Sunstate Hobie
With both the Central Queensland Mega Expo and the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show on this week, we are going to be flat out! Mal will be making the journey up to Rockhampton whilst Trish will be heading south to the Gold Coast. If you are attending either show, come say hello and check out the latest Hobie offerings including the Mirage Eclipse. Sunstate will be at Stand #105 at the Mega Expo and on ‘Masthead Way’ at Sanctuary Cove. We hope to see you this weekend and talk all things Hobie.
Have a Hobie Day!
The Team at Sunstate Hobie
Our Eclipse range of Stand Up Pedalboards are on sale until 31st July 2017. The Autumn Special slashes $500 off the list price! To find out more, please call or visit our stores.
Hobie® has added some exciting new RailBlaza accessories to their product offerings including the Visibility Kit II. Simple, effective, efficient and compact enough to stow on-board all the time to ensure you are visible at all times on the water.
Features include;
– LED technology for ultra long run-time.
– 3 modes: Full brightness nav mode, Low brightness and flashing emergency mode.
– Waterproof to 1 meter.
– Floats with lens above water in the event of a capsize.
– Fits any RailBlaza or H-Rail StarPort mounting base.
– Compatible with all RailBlaza and H-Rail StarPort bases.
– Powered by 3 AAA batteries.
Have you taken any action shots or some picturesque shots of your Hobie? We have recently setup a gallery for all of our customers to contribute their favourite moments captured out on the water whilst using their Hobie. Simply go to Sunstate Hobinators and click the link to email us your best Hobie moment.
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