Highlander inflatable: fin drive compatibility

Yes — the Highlander 100 and 120 AirTrek inflatables are compatible with our Fin Drive Adapter. Highlander + Hobie MD 180 is one of our most popular setups in the lineup.

Yes. The Highlander 100 and Highlander 120 AirTrek inflatables are fully compatible with the Cajo Fin Drive Adapter. Highlander + a Hobie MD 180 is pretty much our favorite setup across the entire lineup — drops the inflated weight by a meaningful margin compared to the Traverse Drive while still giving you serious pedal propulsion.

How it works on an inflatable

The Highlander's drive cutout is engineered with the same internal mounting points as the rigid hulls. The adapter bolts down to the reinforced section of the inflatable floor (not the air chamber — Cajo's AirTrek inflatables have a structural plate where the drive sits, separate from the inflation), and the fin drive drops into the adapter the same way it would on an Outpost.

Pedaling feel is closer to the rigid line than people expect — the AirTrek's drop-stitch construction keeps the floor stiff enough that you're not losing power to flex.

The Highlander Fin Drive Mount Kit (the bundle)

There are two SKUs to know about:

Fin Drive Mount (universal SKU) — adapter only. The right pick for rigid hulls because they already include the rudder kit.
Highlander Fin Drive Mount Kit — a bundle for the inflatable that includes the rudder kit, steering handle, AND the fin-drive adapter. This is the right pick for the Highlander because the inflatable doesn't ship with the rudder by default.

Same adapter inside the bundle. If you already own the rudder kit, you can buy the standalone adapter and skip the bundle.

What fin drives work

Same answer as the rigid line — the adapter is universal:

Hobie MD 180 (kick-up fins) — the most common pairing
Pelican fin drive
Vibe Hero 2.0–era fin drive
Lightning Kayaks fin drive

NOT compatible: Hobie 360 (PA 360 integrated only), Old Town ePDL+ (different drive type).

The Highlander 140T (tandem)

The tandem Highlander 140T is where we get honest — formal testing on the 140T with a fin drive is still TBD. The mounting hardware is similar to the 100/120, but we haven't run the same on-water hours on the tandem. Reach out to support if you're considering that combo and we'll give you the current state.