best way to land a hobie

[sbsyncro]

If I had to fish the waters around SD all year round where the surf gets a lot bigger than it normally is here in SB, I would probably do the following:

Separate rods and reels. Store reels in zip-loc baggies (or dry bag) inside a hatch. Lash rods together with a strip or two of velcro and attach them to the side of the yak using the paddle keeper, but also put a bungee-based tether on them just in case.

99.9% of the time up here, I just launch and land with them in the rod holders on my Crate mate. The worst thing that happens is my reels get washed with sand on the exit, and I have to take 'em apart and clean em out. (thus my Shimano Tekota is missing that *#$&^ little spring-loaded pin that keeps the drag lever tight.... ) ;-)

[Billy V]

Originally Posted by sbsyncro

If I had to fish the waters around SD all year round where the surf gets a lot bigger than it normally is here in SB, I would probably do the following:

Separate rods and reels. Store reels in zip-loc baggies (or dry bag) inside a hatch. Lash rods together with a strip or two of velcro and attach them to the side of the yak using the paddle keeper, but also put a bungee-based tether on them just in case.

I do a similar thing upon returning through the surf.

I remove the reels, and store them in a dry bag, then place them inside the hatch. The same goes for the fish finder.

The rods have their own system.
I use a couple of flexible twist tie sticks to attach them to a pool noodle, and leash the whole thing to the yak.

-It will float like a cork with 4 rods attached. Everything else is attached to the Game Clip which is also attached to the pool noodle.
Even if by some chance a leash should break the whole thing would be floating right there in plain sight.
It works with a bait tank in the well, just stick them along side, or leash them anywhere you want.

[Zed]

Best way to land a hobie:

I prefer the flying gaff and tail drag method. They die quick that way.

[LeeQ125]

Thanks for the pictures B.V. I really like the ingenuity that I've been seeing on this website. My next move is to just buy the kayak and go from there.

[THE DARKHORSE]

Originally Posted by LeeQ125

Thanks for the pictures B.V. I really like the ingenuity that I've been seeing on this website. My next move is to just buy the kayak and go from there.

Out of the few regrets I have in my life, buying the kayak never crossed my mind. Work and the hassles associated with life in general will be waiting for you on the beach.

[dsafety]

I am, by far, not an expert at entering and exiting big surf with my Revo. The small stuff is a piece of cake but anything bigger than two feet can be a challenge. I have learned a few things however.

Wait outside until you see a lull, than paddle like hell, trying to stay on the backside of the swell in front of you. As others have mentioned, raise the rudder and lock the mirage drive in the flat position first. If you are lucky, you will be able to gain enough momentum to make it to waist deep water before encountering a breaker. I typically jump out in the shallow water, grab the bow handle and turn the kayak bow into the incoming swell. It is a wet landing but is usually incident-free.

If all else fails you could try what I saw one of the brave sit inside kayak fishers do the other day. He paddled as far in as he could and when he saw a breaker approaching, quickly turned the bow of his boat 180 degrees until it faced into the surf. He then paddled backwards until he reached the beach cutting through the incoming waves with the bow of his kayak. This guy was really good and barely got wet.

Bob

[Billy V]

Originally Posted by dsafety

If all else fails you could try what I saw one of the brave sit inside kayak fishers do the other day. He paddled as far in as he could and when he saw a breaker approaching, quickly turned the bow of his boat 180 degrees until it faced into the surf. He then paddled backwards until he reached the beach cutting through the incoming waves with the bow of his kayak. This guy was really good and barely got wet.

Bob

I would like to see someone try that on a rigged Adventure :lol:
-My yak turns like an Oil Tanker. (with fins in the water, and on the rudder)
Even with the paddle it's 16' works against any sharp turns.

I'd gladly Video from the beach, but I'm not going to be the guy to try it.

[Joe11]

Originally Posted by Zed

Best way to land a hobie:

I prefer the flying gaff and tail drag method. They die quick that way.

I recommend caution when attempting to tail drag a Hobie Mirage. They have been known to drag the paddler out to sea never to be seen again.

[Hobie-Pedaller]

Hobie's are great for most all aspects of yak fishing.

surf launching and landing is the one area that they are a bit challenging.

especially since the Hobie's have limited in-hull storage, due to the mirage drive in the floorboard of cockpit.

for me, the launching is not nearly as risky as the landing. for launching, just keep yak pointed "into" the surf, and plow through the waves until you get out. for landing, there are many more variables, and many more approaches to try and use. i have used my pedals to propel myself IN quickly, thru the surf zone. but then you have your sails dragging bottom, when you hit the beach. i have also landed with only paddles, but this is very slow, because the outback "paddles" like a BIG tank. some people (in all brands of yaks) paddle in "backwards" very slow, allowing the incoming waves to pass them by, as they are slowly approaching the beach.

on launching, if you get to thigh deep water, you can then put your pedals in, then jump in and pedal hard to get out thru the surf zone fairly quickly. or w/o pedals, just paddle hard, and you get out, although slower, and take more waves over the bow. no problem in warmer months, but sucks to get that soaked when launching in colder months.

on landing, i used to leave mirage drive in, pedal & paddle close to beach, and then strap one pedal forward to pull sails against bottom of yak. but if you ride the yak all the way to the beach, which the waves frequently automatically do for you when landing, then you drag the sails against the bottom. even on only sandy bottom, this eventually rips the rubber of the sails (mainly front one), and it will have to be replaced. you also run the risk of bending the mast rods.

thus, now i pull the mirage drive out and bungee down on the bow of yak b4 landing.

that leaves you to only PADDLE the Hobie into the beach. these things are tanks, and paddle fairly slow. you usually will have waves catch you from behind, that try to turn your yak sideways, and then the next wave wants to flip you over.

i almost always end up riding this wave into the beach "sideways" on the yak, having to lean hard into the wave, to prevent rolling over or flipping.

i recommend to anyone, to go "practice" in the surf zone, without your fishing gear aboard. especially the landing part. learn what methods/techniques work for you and your yak.

then you will be better when it's for real, and you have all your gear aboard on an actual fishing trip.

[bajadog]

Hobie-Pedaller, you have it right, although I have not rode my revo into
the sand coming back in. I usually get to knee deep water, hang my legs out, and stand over the yak. I bungie the drive so the fins rest on the hull.
It would be cool if hobie molded in some recesses for the fins, like an air plane's landing gear wheel wells.

I have to say other than the mirage drive, I've seen every make and model
kayak dump it in the right surf combination. Just practice.

[Zed]

I recommend caution when attempting to tail drag a Hobie Mirage. They have been known to drag the paddler out to sea never to be seen again.

Alright, tug-o-war after 7th period!