Transporting your Hobie Outback from your vehicle to the water’s edge can be the most strenuous part of a fishing trip. A quality kayak cart eliminates this hassle, saving your back and your energy for the actual paddling and angling. The right cart makes navigating various terrains, from paved boat ramps to sandy beaches, a simple and efficient process.
With numerous options available, selecting the ideal cart for your specific needs is crucial. This roundup focuses on affordable and reliable kayak carts that are well-suited for the Hobie Outback model. We have compiled a list of nine top-performing carriers to help you find the perfect match for your kayaking adventures.
Top-Rated Kayak Carts for Your Hobie Outback
- Wilderness Systems Heavy Duty Kayak Cart
- Boonedox Groovy Landing Gear Kayak Cart
- Seattle Sports Scupper Swift Kayak Cart
- Scupper Gear Kayak Cart for Hobie Kayaks
- Hobie Gear Bucket – Deep
- VEVOR Kayak Cart, 250lbs Load Capacity
- Malone Foldaway-5 Multi-Rack Folding Carrier
- Suspenz Kayak Canoe Transport Cart
- Watersnake Kayak Cart with Sand Tires
Wilderness Systems Heavy Duty Kayak Cart
Recognized as a winner by Paddling magazine, the Wilderness Systems cart is engineered for heavy-duty performance. It boasts an impressive 330-pound weight rating, making it more than capable of handling a fully loaded Hobie Outback. The design prioritizes ease of use, allowing you to load and unload your kayak without the need for kickstands or scupper posts.
The inflatable beach wheels provide excellent flotation and traction on soft surfaces like sand and mud. This feature is particularly beneficial for anglers who launch from sandy shorelines. Its robust construction ensures reliable transport for your most demanding excursions.
Boonedox Groovy Landing Gear Kayak Cart
The Boonedox Groovy Landing Gear is a specialized PA Kit designed for a semi-permanent installation on larger kayaks like the Hobie Pro Angler series. While targeted for the PA, its design principles offer a unique, integrated solution that some Outback owners may find appealing for a custom, low-profile setup.
This system allows for easy deployment and retraction, keeping the wheels out of the way while you are on the water. It provides a stable and robust transport method directly from the kayak’s frame, which can be a significant advantage for moving over rough terrain.
Seattle Sports Scupper Swift Kayak Cart
The Seattle Sports Scupper Swift is a popular choice for sit-on-top kayaks like the Hobie Outback. It features an adjustable width axle, accommodating boats from 8.5 to 18 inches wide, ensuring a secure and custom fit. The coated and cushioned uprights protect your kayak’s hull from scratches during loading and transport.
Built with a heavy-duty 35mm anodized frame, this cart is made to last. The airless tires are a major benefit, as they eliminate the worry of flats at the most inconvenient times. This combination of adjustability and durability makes it a reliable partner for frequent use.
Scupper Gear Kayak Cart for Hobie Kayaks
Designed specifically for Hobie kayaks, the Scupper Gear cart offers a direct and compatible solution for your Outback. Its construction from stainless steel provides excellent corrosion resistance, which is essential for a product frequently exposed to water and salt air.
The cart is engineered to fit most Hobie models seamlessly, providing a stable and secure transport method. While it comes with strong plastic standard wheels, its primary strength lies in its durable, rust-resistant frame and model-specific design.
Hobie Gear Bucket – Deep
While not a cart, the Hobie Deep Gear Bucket is an essential accessory for organization. It is tailored to fit the Hobie Twist and Seal hatch, providing a secure and watertight storage solution for your smaller essentials. Keeping gear organized can make loading and unloading your kayak much more efficient.
With five inches of depth, this bucket offers ample space for tools, keys, phones, and other items you need to keep dry and accessible. Integrating this with your kayak setup helps streamline your preparation process.
VEVOR Kayak Cart
The VEVOR Kayak Cart offers a fantastic balance of strength and value. Its frame is constructed from a 2mm thickened aluminum alloy, providing a 250-pound load capacity while remaining lightweight at just 7 pounds. The cart is also foldable, making for convenient storage when not in use.
It is equipped with 10-inch solid tires that require no inflation, making them suitable for all-terrain use. The included non-slip tie-down strap and oversized foam bumper pads work together to secure your kayak firmly and protect its hull from scratches during transport.
Malone Foldaway-5 Multi-Rack Folding Carrier
This product from Malone is a versatile roof rack carrier, not a hand cart, but it solves the critical transport problem of getting your kayak to the launch point. The Foldaway-5 features quick-release, fold-down frames for low-clearance garages and universal mounting adapters to fit most load bars.
It can carry one or two kayaks, SUPs, or canoes, making it a multi-functional addition to your vehicle. The included SUP insert pads cushion and protect your kayak’s hull during transport, ensuring it arrives at your destination in perfect condition.
Suspenz Kayak Canoe Transport Cart
The Suspenz All-Terrain cart is a super-duty trolley built for strength with its powder-coated steel frame. It supports up to 300 pounds and features oversized 15-inch airless wheels that will never go flat, providing stability and smooth rolling over obstacles.
A key feature is its adjustable Bunker Bars, which can be set in five different positions to fit a wide variety of hull shapes, including the V-shaped hull of the Hobie Outback. The included Cam Buckle straps prevent load shifting, offering greater security on uneven ground.
Watersnake Kayak Cart with Sand Tires
The Watersnake Kayak Cart is designed to tackle one of the most challenging terrains for kayak transport: soft sand. Its wide, balloon-style sand tires provide the necessary surface area to prevent the cart from sinking, allowing for much easier pulling across the beach.
This specialized cart is an excellent choice for anglers whose primary launch points are sandy shores. By reducing the effort required to move your kayak through sand, it helps you conserve energy for a full day of fishing on the water.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in a Hobie Outback Kayak Cart
I’ve been using my Hobie Outback for years, and one of the best investments I ever made was a good kayak cart. It completely changes the game when you’re dealing with a long walk from the parking lot to the water’s edge. But not every cart is a perfect match for the Outback’s unique hull shape and weight. When I started looking for the best affordable kayak carts for the Hobie Outback model, I focused on a few key things that make a real difference.
First up is the hull compatibility. The Hobie Outback has a Mirage Drive well and a specific hull design. A cart with adjustable, padded straps or cradles is a must to avoid putting pressure on that drive well or scratching the hull. You want the cart to support the kayak’s weight just behind the drive well, not directly on it. Look for carts with wide, non-marking pads or inflatable wheels that can cradle the hull securely without causing damage.
Next, consider the wheel type. You’ll see two main kinds: balloon (air-filled) wheels and solid plastic or foam wheels. Balloon wheels are fantastic for soft sand, pebbles, and rough terrain because they roll easily and won’t sink in. The trade-off is that they can go flat over time. Solid wheels are virtually maintenance-free and great for paved ramps and hard-packed trails, but they can bog down in soft sand. Think about the surfaces you most often traverse to decide which type is best for you.
Portability is another huge factor. My cart needs to fit inside the Outback’s hatches when I’m on the water. Many affordable carts are designed to break down into smaller pieces that can be stowed in the rear tankwell or a hatch. I always check the assembled and disassembled dimensions to make sure it will fit my storage space. A cart that’s a pain to transport or store is a cart that will get left at home.
Finally, look at the weight capacity and overall build quality. The Hobie Outback isn’t a lightweight kayak, especially once you add gear. Ensure the cart you choose has a weight rating that comfortably exceeds your fully loaded kayak’s weight. A sturdy aluminum frame with stainless steel bolts will last much longer than a cart with plastic components that might crack under stress. By focusing on these areas—hull compatibility, wheel type, portability, and durability—you can find a reliable cart that makes every trip to the water a breeze.
FAQ
Will a standard kayak cart fit my Hobie Outback?
Most standard carts will fit, but you need to be careful about the placement. The key is to avoid resting the cart directly on or against the Mirage Drive well, as this can cause damage. You want to position the cart’s straps or cradles just behind the drive well, on the solid part of the hull. Using a cart with adjustable, padded cradles is the best way to ensure a safe and secure fit for your Outback.
Are foam-filled wheels or air-filled wheels better for beach use?
For sandy beaches, I’ve found that large, air-filled (balloon) wheels are generally superior. Their wider surface area floats over the sand instead of digging in, which makes pulling a heavy kayak much easier. Foam-filled or solid plastic wheels are maintenance-free but tend to sink into soft sand, creating a lot of drag. If your primary launch spot is a sandy beach, balloon wheels are worth the potential hassle of checking tire pressure.
How do I transport the cart while I’m kayaking?
This is a common question. Many of the best affordable kayak carts for the Hobie Outback model are designed to be disassembled quickly. The two main pieces—the frame and the wheels—can often be stowed in the large rear tankwell or inside the front or rear hatches. I always recommend checking the disassembled dimensions of a cart before you buy to ensure it will fit in your preferred storage area on the kayak.
What is the weight capacity I should look for?
A fully loaded Hobie Outback with gear can easily weigh over 120 pounds. I suggest looking for a cart with a weight capacity of at least 150 pounds. This gives you a good safety margin and ensures the cart won’t be operating at its maximum limit, which can lead to premature wear or failure. A robust cart in the 150-200 pound capacity range is ideal for the Outback.
Can I leave the cart attached to the kayak while launching?
It is possible with some cart designs, but I don’t typically recommend it. It can be awkward to manage and might snag on the bottom as you push off. The standard method is to wheel your kayak into shallow water, gently tilt it on its side to remove the cart, and then stow the cart before fully launching. This prevents damage to both the cart and your kayak’s hull.