Hobie Quest 13

Size and Weight

One of the major advantages of the Quest 13 is that it is considerably lighter than most other kayaks of similar stature. The kayak is 13’ (396 cm) in length and 28.5” (72 cm) wide, which means that it has the profile of most other sleeker, faster kayaks. The Quest 13’s fully-rigged weight is only 70.5 lbs (32 kg) which means that it should be relatively easy for most users to handle out of the water.

Capacity

As a fishing kayak, the Quest 13 is expected to have more capacity than most other rides that are geared more toward recreational use. It’s full capacity is rated at 350 lbs (159 kg) which gives most average-sized users adequate room to carry heavier gear items like electronics and even a trolling motor.

Features

The Quest 13 delivers much of the features that many users have raved about for years. It is a kayak that’s built for fishing and everything you need into a stealthy, paddle-driven design.

The kayak features two molded carrying handles on the bow and stern, which allows users to easily handle it out of the water. The bow section also contains a large dry hatch that’s perfect for storing any number of items from camping gear to extra fishing equipment.

The foot wells feature foot pegs that can be easily adjusted to accommodate users of any height. The center console features a small tray that’s perfect for gear items or tackle, and there are two gear pouches located on either side of the cockpit area.

The Quest 13 is ready for any electronics with a built-in transducer mount and through-hull cable plugs.

There is an 8” twist-and-seal hatch located directly in front of the seat that is ideal for storing valuables like cellphones, or any other items that users might need to have quick access to.

The Quest 13’s seat is its central feature. The Vantage CT seat is one of the most comfortable and among the most highly adjustable seats of any kayak on the market in 2020. It’s sturdy aluminum frame and padded mesh material mean you’ll stay comfortable and dry all day on the water.

There are two rod holders located directly behind the seat where users will also have access to an oversized rear cargo well area that is fitted with bungee cords to ensure that your gear stays in place.

The stern also is fitted with another 8” twist-and-seal hatch that’s great for stashing additional gear items that need to be kept dry such as camping gear and other items. The Quest 13 also comes standard with a two-piece paddle.

Performance

The overall design of the Quest 13 lends itself to speed and agility. The kayak is slightly more narrow than other Hobie models, which provides added speed to an already swift vessel. Despite it’s narrow build, the Quest 13 has good stability, which is a must when considering a fishing kayak. Some users report that the narrow design isn’t as stable as other models and some users might not feel comfortable standing in the Quest 13. There is no shortage of tracking and agility thanks to the hull design and molded skeg. This kayak has the most speed out of any Hobie paddle-driven models and is a great choice for serious anglers.