Video · Kayak Reviews
BOTE Rackham Apex vs Hobie Lynx: Pedal Board Kayak Comparison
I test BOTE's Rackham pedal boards, the hard Apex and the inflatable Aero, and race one against the Hobie Lynx, my favorite pedal kayak.
What’s in this video
First up is the BOTE Rackham with the Apex pedal drive. The rudder looks ambidextrous, so you can switch it to the other side, and the turning radius is very impressive. I’m basically turning in my own wake. It’s a prop drive, so I can pedal straight into reverse. At full effort it really moves, and I’d put the effort and speed close to the Hobie Lynx. I can feel a little grittiness when pedaling, not much. The rudder is a bit tight, but it holds its position. It also has a clear window to see the drive, a handle to pop the drive out, a magnetic tumbler holder, spots for a sand spear and paddle, deck bungees and a big open deck for a crate. It’s a prototype, so I rate it 8.5 out of 10 now and probably a 9 once they refine it. It’s the closest competitor I’ve found to the Lynx.
Next is the Rackham Aero. It’s inflatable, though you might not be able to tell, with two inflation ports for redundancy. Same steering setup, the steering is a little stiff, but it doesn’t wander, and it moves across the water like my other inflatables. It could fit in your trunk or closet.
Then I ran into a guy on a Hobie Lynx and we did a run. Speed was pretty comparable. The big difference is the drive. The Lynx is a fin drive, so you pull cords to reverse, while the Apex prop drive just pedals backwards. The Lynx has a foam core hull, so it can’t fill with water, and that gives a lot of confidence. They’re two different styles, and both are winners.
Key moments
Quick takeaways
- The BOTE Apex is a prop drive, so you get instant reverse by pedaling backwards. The Lynx fin drive needs a cord pull.
- Top speed between the Rackham and the Hobie Lynx was close in a side by side run.
- The Rackham's rudder is a little stiff, but it holds position and doesn't wander.
- The Rackham Aero is inflatable with two inflation ports, so it stores in a car trunk or closet.
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