Sad Day in LJ - Lost Mirage Drive

[fresh to salt]

Made it to LJ this morning at 615 to decent launch conditions. After loading up all my crap, I watched a few sets of waves and launched to 2-3 footers. After making it through (or so I thought) one last wave built up... The nose of the kayak punched through just enough but the wave over the top slammed me hard enough to cause me to lose my balance and I capsize... Damn it! First time for everything I guess. In my head I thought, "Good thing I have everything tethered down.". Only it was not to be.

After righting my kayak and pushing my bait tank and three rods back onto the stern of the kayak, I look around to see my mini cooler floating behind me and all of its contents floating around it. I quickly pick everything up and toss it back into the kayak and I look up to find myself in the middle of the surf zone. I continue to get worked but a few waves but look in my kayak and realize my mirage drive is gone! Only the paracord line connected to my kayak.

I then proceeded to drag my kayak and all of its contents back onto the beach next to onlookers and walk back out to search for my mirage drive. After an hour of searching, I walked up to one of the kayak rental shops and rented a wetsuit, mask and snorkel. Two hours of snorkelling yielded no results. I packed all of my crap onto my car and after one last, longing, look at the surf zone, I drove back home to Menifee with my tail wrapped firmly between my legs... Long story short, if anyone happens to find a mirage drive with Gray and Black turbo fins, they are most likely mine... The conditions out there looked great today! I hope everyone out there had a better day than I did! Definitely not the day I wanted to have back out on the water...

If anyone happens to come across my mirage drive, my number is 402-301-4246 and my name is Matt. Thanks...

[Phishphood]

There is a Facebook group called la Jolla Shores lost and found. Try there and with the lifeguards too

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[fresh to salt]

Thanks! I requested to join the FB group.

[fourtogo]

Mirage Drive that a expensive morining . I sure hope that drive turns up for you .

[da22y]

1. Do not use cheap plastic clip that will easily break.

2. Use 2 strong para cords with 2 anchor point for the added peace of mind.

The newest mirage drive 180 turbo are $836 plus shipping, I can feel your pain....

https://www.austinkayak.com/products/23689/Hobie-Mirage-Drive-180-Turbo-Fins.html

[Dannowar]

Still will never understand why guys dont launch and land with your drives in.

[TJones]

Hobie lease shortened and loop created and sewn back together by professional. Secured to drive . Brass buckle fastened to secure location on kayak . Chance of loosing drive almost nil.

[f'nsabiki]

Still will never understand why guys dont launch and land with your drives in.
I agree!! I've had the same drive for 15 years and countless crashes.

[Ddwineguy]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180610/157fb60905f4937ad4d31841b7d11d7d.png


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[FISH11]

Still will never understand why guys dont launch and land with your drives in.

X2

[TJones]

I agree!! I've had the same drive for 15 years and countless crashes.

Countless , upon countless

[steve999]

If you can't find your drive and want to buy a used one, I'll sell you one I have for half price of retail ($315). It's a turbo fin with the upgraded bearings, but not the 180 model. PM me if you're interested. But I won't be back in town until next Monday the 18th. I'm in Long Beach.

[WARRIORMIKE]

Still will never understand why guys dont launch and land with your drives in.

I tried that once. Busted the rods on my fins.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Sorry to read about your loss -- Overconfidence is a killer. Last time I lost some stuff in the surf, I grabbed my swim goggles thinking I would see it, but murky conditions prevented that. I finally found the stuff by walking around until I bumped into it with my feet. I bet next time you will have a good leash on your mirage.

[fourtogo]

You think with any drive unit AS $ PRICY AS THERE ARE . The manufacturer would build a leash as part of there kayak unit on each hull .

[tacmik]

You think with any drive unit AS $ PRICY AS THERE ARE . The manufacturer would build a leash as part of there kayak unit on each hull .

What. And lose all the obscene profits they make every time someone loses a drive in the surf. Bring that up in a meeting and see if you don't get fired.

[TJones]

What. And lose all the obscene profits they make every time someone loses a drive in the surf. Bring that up in a meeting and see if you don't get fired.

This is a business . 🤔

[YTHunter]

I tried that once. Busted the rods on my fins.
minor detail... you need to be in at least 2 ft of water.

[Dannowar]

minor detail... you need to be in at least 2 ft of water.

or just have the pedal pushed forward

[makobob]

Still will never understand why guys dont launch and land with your drives in.

I second that thought. Works for me, much easier and safer too. Tight Lines amigos.

[makobob]

I tried that once. Busted the rods on my fins.

When I do it that way I bungie them up tight against the hull.

[DanaPT]

or just have the pedal pushed forward



jump out, grab the bow and walk your rig in. vs. drive the bow into the sand. (don't forget to release the rudder!)

[FISH11]

On the way out and on the way in through the surf I have the bungee connected to the right pedal with enough tension to hold the pedal back and the fins against the hull. Going out I walk out to knee level water and once I time the surf I hop on and use the pedals using very short strokes from full apart until I am sure the fins clear the bottom, then start full pedal through the surf zone. On the way back in before getting to the surf break zone. I hook up the bungee and time the surf, pedal like hell and have the paddle in my right hand unleashed and ready to use while using the rudder. Once the surf is breaking and gaining on me then I move the pedals apart in about 3-4 feet of water and just finish bracing and paddling in using just the paddle. If surf is 2' or less I don't even need to use the paddle and can just coast in. The only time I had a problem, I bent the front rod from not having the pedals apart because I had kept my legs on the pedals too long. When I got home I just straightened it out. I can't see coming in and not using the drive also to come in as fast as possible to try and stay in front of the next coming set.

[YakDout]

Launch and land with mirage drive every time. Just jump out in 2 feet of water and pull drive. No way I’d want to sit in the surf zone on a big ass hobie with just a paddle. Still have yet to roll or dump anything in the surf.