Kona

by  Hobie
11' 6"
Length
34"
Width (in)
60
Weight (lb)
discontinued

This Product Has Been Discontinued

More Kayaks from Hobie:

Kona Description

The Hobie Kona double kayak is the perfect way to shake the Hobie experience. The Kona's all new design incorporates a shorter waterline with a wide, stable template. The result is a nimble double that's a snap to paddle, but still features plenty of cargo room, twin cup holders, on-hull paddle storage and two mesh-covered stowage spaces for all your gear. The ideal couples and/or family boat.

Kona Specs and Features

  • Structure: Rigid / Hard Shell
  • Cockpit Type: Sit on Top / Open Cockpit
  • Seating Configuration: Tandem
  • Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
  • Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced
  • Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
  • Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced

Hobie
Kona Reviews

Read reviews for the Kona by Hobie as submitted by your fellow paddlers. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community!

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5

Initially I was planning to…

Submitted by: paddler820824 on 7/13/2020
Initially I was planning to purchase a solo touring kayak, but my GF suggested I purchase a tandem for our first kayak so we both can enjoy and I agreed to it. A shop in Oakland, CA had used demo kayaks for sale and decided to demo Kona. I've used it about 6 times so far and continuing to use every weekend. It's heavy and it takes practice to load on top of your SUV, but I've perfected the process. I can fit the kayak cart inside the kayak by removing the wheels and placing the wheels under the deck lines. This is really nice. Kayak is roomy, it's extremely stable, plenty of room for cooler, plenty of room inside kayak for storing items, it has everything you can ask for in a tandem kayak. The seats are extremely comfortable and we also bought thin back PFD for good comfort. We've kayaked in San Francisco bay, Richardson Bay, Sausalito it calm waters and also choppy rough waters and it's extremely stable. You can also use it for solo paddling by centering the seat and removing the other, but it's difficult to go long distance solo due to it's weight and width. It's made for Tandem. All and all we are happy with the purchase for our first tandem kayak and it was 100% worth it. Don't think too much about it. Do it for yourself and your partner and create adventures.!!
5

I bought the hobie Kona (made…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 6/14/2016
I bought the hobie Kona (made in 2008) in 2011, and I have used for almost 5 years now.

Originally I bought this for dual uses: recreational paddling with wife/ solo fishing. My wife and I used it together probably 4 times in 5 years; But I have used it by myself as a fishing boat way more-probably 100 times in 5 years.

This kayak fits almost perfectly all my requirements: relatively light weight 68lbs , short at 11.5 ft, which makes it easy to car top or suv top.

It is extremely stable- I mean extremely. At 34 inch wide and with a flat bottom hull, it's almost impossible to flip in most situations. I have flipped it once in 5 foot surf zone when I was relatively inexperienced paddling in surf and I got caught by a quick side wave. Mind you, because of the same reasons, once it's flipped, it's hard to right it in water. So training is needed.

It tracks well. I do not use rudders. And it's been no problem for me. Granted, there is a bit left-right swaying during paddling but it's minimum.

It is fast- I've been clocking average speed of 3.3mph in calm conditions. The top speed can reach 4.5mph but it's hard to maintain. Note that for the 3.3mph, the boat was fully rigged for fishing and fully loaded with coolers, ice, fish, tackle etc.

It maneuvers extremely well. I didn't realize this until I paddled many other boats. This boat can turn on a dime.

To rig this boat for fishing, it's a bit more difficult because it doesn't have a flat tank well to put a crate in. But it's not difficult to solve either. Rod holder wise, I installed gear tracks for trolling and it worked really well.

All in all, very satisfied.

4

We've had our Hobie Kona for…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 6/24/2009
We've had our Hobie Kona for about a year now and mostly use it on the Sacramento River near our home in Red Bluff, CA. We also have two Maui kayaks and love them for their light weight and ease of handling. It's nice to be able to lift the boat by yourself and get out on the water without a partner. The Kona requires my better half and I to both load and unload it.

The kayak is designed for two of course and it's just a dream on the water -- I would much rather paddle this boat tandem than our Maui's and our cousin's Odyssey. It's fast and stable and accelerates from rest to cruise really quickly. It's got lots of room and makes for a wonderful boat to spend the day on the water. Highly recommend it!

5

Just bought the Kona Tandem…

Submitted by: paddler232170 on 7/9/2007
Just bought the Kona Tandem on LBI 7/3/07, and immediately took it solo on the choppy bay. Great stability, easy to paddle. Lots of leg room as I'm 6'1". Nice to have the middle seat for solo paddling. Hobie has deluxe standard options with great seats. No fatigue!! I bought the stick in wheels for easy transport to the bay and ocean. Great Kayak. Bought it from Joe at the Islander Surf shop in Brant Beach, LBI, NJ. Great deal and very knowledgeable.
5

I bought a Hobie Kona a week…

Submitted by: paddler231787 on 9/11/2006
I bought a Hobie Kona a week or so ago (after much research on the internet). I have taken it out a few times now and have found that its features are what really turns me on about this kayak. It is light, very easy to transport to the water either on roof wracks or cart wheels. It is easy to push forward with 2 people or one and my dog enjoys the ride!

I really like the clips for the paddles and inclusion of drink bottles. The rubber lines on the stern for stowing the wheels whilst paddling and the 2 hatches for keeping important things dry are great features. I appreciate the fact that it came inclusive with paddles which are weel crafted and very light.

Another major plus is the seats. They provide wonderful support for the back and I am able to maintain a comfortable posture and adjust the seats for any friends whom may come for a paddle with me. Its stability makes it easy for me as a newbie and I can't wait to use it barramundi fishing in season. It's easy to see why Hobie is a world leader in catamarans as the attention to intelligent design and craftsmanship is outstanding.

It's only real downfall for me is the cost in Australian dollars.

5

My wife & I bought a Kona…

Submitted by: paddler231646 on 6/28/2006
My wife & I bought a Kona last weekend after years of renting boats during vacations. We've only gotten to take it out once so far on the Barneget Bay in NJ, but it far exceeded our expectations. It handle itself on the bay really nicely, but is not real fast. The seating configuration allowed us to take our toddler out for a quick paddle too. Last but not least, it is really easy to transport & store for a tandom. Barring any surprises down the row, we give the Kona a 10.
4

Purchased the Kona about a…

Submitted by: paddler231569 on 5/18/2006
Purchased the Kona about a year ago to use primarily as a sea kayak, but have also used it in the river/mangrove. We also own an Odyssey and have use both in similar conditions. The Kona is not as fast, but much more stable in the sea and maneuverable in small areas.

We regularly load the Kona with two adults and a small child, and the kayak remains stable and dry. The extra weight does affect speed due to the angle of the bow in the water.

I have found a little trouble tracking straight in windy conditios with strong currents, in most instances this is not an issue.

In conclusion, this is a very good all purpose kayak, and I would not trade the stability and compact size for the speed of a longer kayak.

5

My wife and I have owned a…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 5/18/2006
My wife and I have owned a pair of Konas for about 3 months. We've been out several times on the James River. A little stretch between natural bridge and Glasgow. The first time out, moderate class 2 in high water, 5.53 and rising. The Kona was very stable with lots of storage options. Even with all the storage, I wouldn’t recommend a long trip. With a moderate breeze blowing against us, the k2 was never hard to steer, track or get set for the next rapid.

On another April day we ventured farther down stream through Snowden. The river is not as mellow through this section. I had no problems. My wife on the other hand flipped upside down, nearly loosing all gear. I don't know if it was the yak or her inabilities. Curious to see how it'll handle the river...or how the river will handle it. Thus far I’ve liked everything about the Kona. I rate it a 10 as long as it continues to hold up on the James River.

4

Just bought a Kona 2 weeks…

Submitted by: paddler231565 on 5/15/2006
Just bought a Kona 2 weeks ago for my wife and I, and we love it. I've been paddling on and off for years since my youth, mainly in the more traditional "sit-in" type, and this is by far one of the more enjoyable rides there is. Plenty of room for both of us to stretch our legs, storage and molded-in cup holders and gear holders, make this kayak convenient. One of the better features is the molded on-hull "chine" that each of the paddles are bungeed onto, very nice for beaching, storage etc....

Works great in surf or choppy water, our first day out was in 2-3' wind chop/waves (whatever you want to call it in south florida) right off the beach. Tracks nicely and paddles easily without too much drag as in some sit on top kayaks, but maintains great stability--I performed the stand up and walk around test. It's short enough that it still maintains maneuverability. Also works very well as a solo 'yak, just move one of the included seats to the center and strap in, just took it through some mangroves today solo, pretty speedy with one person so it takes advantage of the rocker, and the forward hull design "slices" water rather than "plow" (makes a cool sound too).

Transports easily, slapped on a thule roof rack on my bmw e30, and even for a small car, the kona does not protrude from the rear at all, nice and compact. One flaw though is the molded in "handles" for carrying solo. Unlike ocean kayak brand's handles, you cannot wrap your hand around the handle because it's not molded all the way through the hull, just part way. This makes carrying solo kind of awkward.

All in all however, a great kayak for days at the beach, lake or bay. Would not recommend for camping/long touring excursions due to lack of storage area. There is enough storage though to place maybe a cooler on the rear deck, something small on the bow, and whatever you can fit in a 8" hatch. We load it with snorkel gear perfectly fine. (If used solo though, there is immensely more area for on-deck storage). Paid $950 for the deluxe with everything, and was worth every penny. Can't go wrong with the kona.

4

We purchased the Kona to have…

Submitted by: paddler231198 on 7/13/2005
We purchased the Kona to have some fun in Barnegat Bay in NJ. It fits the bill perfectly. The Kona is very stable and handles the wakes from the other watercraft easily. It handles well solo or with two paddlers. I took my brother-in-law, who never kayaked before, on a 90 minute ride. He went right out and bought a Kona because they are so much fun.

The storage, tie downs and other features seem very well engineered. You do get wet in the bay and you can paddle in less that a foot of water even with two people in the kayak.

The Kona Deluxe comes with seats, paddles and water bottles. I'm sure there are better kayaks for other purposes, but the Hobie Kona is just about the perfect recreational kayak.