Hobie drive durability? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

mtnbykr2 · 06-29-2012, 09:43 AM

Quote:

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 · 06-29-2012, 09:46 AM

Quote:

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 · 06-29-2012, 09:52 AM

Quote:

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 · 06-29-2012, 10:51 AM

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 · 06-29-2012, 12:45 PM

My adventure paddles better than any of the prowlers and my X13. I've only surf launched it from Lajolla shores In what the locals there "high surf", it launches better than my x13 too. Im still looking for something in a more manageable size though.

I had one of my rudder lines break while OTW. Totally defeats the purpose of having a hobie if you gotta steer with your paddle. Giving the haters you fish with "paddlers" ammunition to make fun of you with sucks too.

-scallywag- · 06-29-2012, 01:29 PM

i think where you fish and what your targeting is gonna have a big impact also....surf launches r sometimes tough on the drives with the sand and occasional ugly landing.

If your targeting YT that swim 30mph and love ripping current, I'm guessing your going to be pushing pretty hard on the peddles at times...like when there r foamers just outta range or just trying to get home with an extra 30lb on deck in the ripping current and afternoon wind on it. Generally a 8-10hr day of chasing YT is a 20-30mi ordeal.

I havn't fished butts in the bay in a while but if remember right it wasnt that demanding.

Bottom Line - The newest versions of the mirage drives are about as close to "bullet-proof" as you could hope for. Most users will have YEARS of trouble free service from their mirage drives, plus parts are cheap and service/support is awsome....cant go wrong with a brand new hobie!!

mrJB · 06-30-2012, 03:28 PM

If you fish a lot, the drive will break, sometimes at inopportune times. I do washdown, lube, and maintenance after every outing. Within two years, here's how mine faired:

- warped spline (the backbone of the whole unit)
- cracked drum
- broken sprocket
- coroded and broken pedal crank arm

The warped spline may have some doing in the other failures, but the failures were well spaced apart. The other pedal crank arm is in perfect condition, no corosion or signs of fatigue. About the only part(s) that haven't failed are the drive and idler chains, no doubt due to constant maintenance and proper adjustment.

Ask around (in person) and see what percentage of owners have had problems. Check the Hobie site and see what others have experienced.

BTW, I don't punish the drive and don't often do surf launches. I do fish often, average about 2X a week which comes out roughly to 90 times a year. None of the above failures were covered under waranty.

There are some advantages and disadvantages to mirage drive kayaks. Do your own research and don't buy into some slick advertising.

06-29-2012, 10:51 AM	#4
FARRIER Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cmont [] Posts: 314	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. __________________ "It depends on what the meaning of the words 'is' is." –Bill Clinton

06-30-2012, 03:28 PM	#7
mrJB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: O.C. Posts: 352	Mirage Mistique If you fish a lot, the drive will break, sometimes at inopportune times. I do washdown, lube, and maintenance after every outing. Within two years, here's how mine faired: - warped spline (the backbone of the whole unit) - cracked drum - broken sprocket - coroded and broken pedal crank arm The warped spline may have some doing in the other failures, but the failures were well spaced apart. The other pedal crank arm is in perfect condition, no corosion or signs of fatigue. About the only part(s) that haven't failed are the drive and idler chains, no doubt due to constant maintenance and proper adjustment. Ask around (in person) and see what percentage of owners have had problems. Check the Hobie site and see what others have experienced. BTW, I don't punish the drive and don't often do surf launches. I do fish often, average about 2X a week which comes out roughly to 90 times a year. None of the above failures were covered under waranty. There are some advantages and disadvantages to mirage drive kayaks. Do your own research and don't buy into some slick advertising. __________________ "I Brake for Halibut"

06-29-2012, 12:45 PM	#5
CheapPelican Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Too far from the launch. Posts: 443	My adventure paddles better than any of the prowlers and my X13. I've only surf launched it from Lajolla shores In what the locals there "high surf", it launches better than my x13 too. Im still looking for something in a more manageable size though. I had one of my rudder lines break while OTW. Totally defeats the purpose of having a hobie if you gotta steer with your paddle. Giving the haters you fish with "paddlers" ammunition to make fun of you with sucks too.

06-29-2012, 01:29 PM	#6
-scallywag- Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: on the road... Posts: 598	i think where you fish and what your targeting is gonna have a big impact also....surf launches r sometimes tough on the drives with the sand and occasional ugly landing. If your targeting YT that swim 30mph and love ripping current, I'm guessing your going to be pushing pretty hard on the peddles at times...like when there r foamers just outta range or just trying to get home with an extra 30lb on deck in the ripping current and afternoon wind on it. Generally a 8-10hr day of chasing YT is a 20-30mi ordeal. I havn't fished butts in the bay in a while but if remember right it wasnt that demanding. Bottom Line - The newest versions of the mirage drives are about as close to "bullet-proof" as you could hope for. Most users will have YEARS of trouble free service from their mirage drives, plus parts are cheap and service/support is awsome....cant go wrong with a brand new hobie!!