Hobie Mirage iTrek 11

Size, weight, capacity

When inflated, the Itrek 11 is 10 ft. (3.05 m) long and 40 in. (1.02 m) wide. These dimensions couple with the three-chamber hull design to make this kayak streamlined and stable. This also gives you plenty of onboard storage space as well as space to move around on the deck.

A load capacity of 399 lbs. (181 kg) is comfortably enough for an adult and their fishing gear, or to take a child along for the ride.

The hull of the Itrek 11 weighs just 28.6 lbs. (13 kg). An adult can easily carry this board on their own when it’s unloaded and it can even be loaded onto your back for longer walks to the water. The addition of the drive system and seat might mean you require a second set of hands, but it’s going to be an easy task.

Features

The hull of the Itrek 11 has three chambers. The central chamber provides the main deck area of the kayak and the rigidity, while the two outside chambers act like outriggers to give the kayak excellent stability. These chambers are all built using 1000 D PVC, designed to withstand heavy use, rocks, and fishing hooks.

All of the seams on the Itrek 11 use drop stitch technology. This allows the kayak to inflate to 10 PSI, giving it the same feel as a rigid plastic kayak. As well as enhanced performance, this extra rigidity is important for maintaining stability and allowing you to move around on the deck as you cast.

Hobie’s Mirage Drive uses Kick-up fins. They propel the kayak efficiently as you pedal along and flip up out of the way if they come into contact with underwater rocks or shallow areas. The pedal drive unit is fully adjustable so you won’t find yourself overreaching or feeling cramped up as you pedal.

The raised seat features an aluminum frame and a mesh design that dries quickly and keeps you cool all day. This seat is fully adjustable and also has the rudder control lever on one of the arms. The rudder system at the rear of the Itrek 11 lets you turn the kayak in tight spaces and helps to keep the kayak going straight and this can be raised and lowered easily.

The Itrek 11 has bungee storage at the bow and the stern so you can load up with tackle boxes or crates when you head out onto the water. Hobie also includes an electric pump, a high-pressure hand pump, and a three-piece SUP paddle.

Performance

Hobie Itrek 11 is a good balance of weight and capacity. Without the drive system and seat, this kayak is easily transported, stored, and loaded, all by one person. While it can be paddled with the SUP paddle, it’s really with the Mirage Drive that the Itrek 11 comes alive.

The Mirage Drive is highly efficient and the Kick-up fins are a great way to avoid either getting stuck on obstacles or breaking your drive. It’s also much less hassle than having to climb out of your seat to raise and lower the drive manually in shallow areas.

The drop stitch design and high-pressure chambers give this kayak a rigid feel and the three-chamber design with outriggers makes it a highly stable fishing platform. You can easily stand to cast and move around on the deck without feeling as though you’re going to tip the Itrek 11.

Although the rudder does a good job of steering the Itrek 11 and keeping it running straight in calm conditions, it does lack any draft or keel that could help it track in wind. You may be able to overcome this as you get more experienced with the drive and rudder system, but this is a kayak better suited to calm conditions.