Hobie drive durability?

[CheapPelican]

Originally Posted by jorluivil

I've been using my Outback at least 3-4 times a month since I bought it back in May 2011 and haven't had any major issues, neither have the guys that I fish with that are in Hobies. Much like the rest of your gear if you take care of it it will take care of you: wash it down with fresh water after every use, check the nuts, bolts, chains, gears every so often to make sure nothing is coming loose and you should be ok. You will not be disappointed in your decision to buy a Hobie.

How do the outbacks paddle OTW and for surf launches? Can anybody chime in about the revolutions?

[bus kid]

Originally Posted by CheapPelican

How do the outbacks paddle OTW and for surf launches? Can anybody chime in about the revolutions?

Revo paddles fine. I have paddled mine about as much as I have peddled it, as I fish deep into the kelp. I take the mirage drive out and stow it in the front hatch. No matter what if you dont have a good stroke (shut it ) you are not going anywhere.

what Jorge said, if you take care of your gear and it will take care of you.

[RK]

If you fish a lot you will bust the drive cables, easy fix just draining, might be a good idea to throw a spare and a wrench in your dry bag, there's a stress point on the end of the cable that is the breaking point.

[RK]

That being said the hobies are great kayaks...Another good idea if you use the livewell is to throw an extra intake tube in a drybag sometimes during beach launches they disappear. Any of the small crucial stuff keep a spare in a dry bag...
This doesn't apply to hobies only any kayak has issues that can usually be fixed otw....

[mtnbykr2]

Originally Posted by RK

If you fish a lot you will bust the drive cables, easy fix just draining, might be a good idea to throw a spare and a wrench in your dry bag, there's a stress point on the end of the cable that is the breaking point.

My '08 is in the water at least 4 times a month, I have had no trouble with the drive, just clean and maintain...I would suggest however to check hardware and steering every so often, steering knob came off about 4 miles out one time
it is like trying to paddle a tupperware bowl with no steering...it's funny now but not at the time...you will not be disappointed, as far as launching and landing surf style, there are much better yaks out there, but once you get accustomed to the Outback, you will be able to have yard sales with the best of us...lol

[RK]

Originally Posted by mtnbykr2

My '08 is in the water at least 4 times a month, I have had no trouble with the drive, just clean and maintain...I would suggest however to check hardware and steering every so often, steering knob came off about 4 miles out one time
it is like trying to paddle a tupperware bowl with no steering...it's funny now but not at the time...you will not be disappointed, as far as launching and landing surf style, there are much better yaks out there, but once you get accustomed to the Outback, you will be able to have yard sales with the best of us...lol

There's a big difference in wear when your talking 3-4 times a month or 3-4 times a week...

[mtnbykr2]

Originally Posted by RK

There's a big difference in wear when your talking 3-4 times a month or 3-4 times a week...

I wish I had that problem...lol...

[FARRIER]

I logged a fairly decent amount of hours on mine and only one problem so far. The plastic which holds the the pedals at your selected setting broke. Mine were old and had a lot of hours on them. Wash em when your done lube em occasionally and all will be fine. @ Cheap Pelican my revo paddles decently. The provided hobie paddle is very soft plastic so I upgraded and have not been disappointed. It surfs like a 13 foot piece of plastic with no rocker; it doesn't. Since ive surfed most of my life I have learned to read the ocean. Your skills in the surf zone are based on your knowledge of waves and sets. If your not an avid surfer or waterman tie your gear down without hesitation regardless of the size of the surf. It's not a matter of if but when your kayak decides to flip.

[CheapPelican]

Originally Posted by bus kid

...No matter what if you dont have a good stroke (shut it ) you are not going anywhere.

More often than not, my stroke gets me there faster than I'd like.