Silly but serious DIY question - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Rocketfish · 05-05-2015, 07:43 AM

I am assuming this is near impossible to do, but I wanted to ask it anyway, because my 10 year old daughter posed it to me.

I have a future beach kayak, of the run of the mill paddle variety. I was telling her that I really wanted a Hobie because of the mirage drive. Well, she knows I'm an engineer and have done numerous DIY projects, and asked me why I can't just cut a hole in my current yak and install the drive?

I'm sure people have considered this, but does anyone know if it has been done? I haven't really looked at the geometry in a Hobie with Mirage drive kayak and am assuming the mold gets really narrow and thick in the area where you mount it.

Given our ability to plastic weld and cut holes, how feasible would this be in a regular kayak?

RedSledTeam · 05-05-2015, 07:57 AM

I thought about that a few years ago

....Then I realized, considering your time invested in "engineering" a solution that is 'safe and functional' ....your ROI on that project is not in the 'black'. It's waaaay cheaper to just buy a Hobie! new or used! It has already been engineered and is a proven safe and reliable design.

FISH11 · 05-05-2015, 08:26 AM

Not only the kayak you have is not design for the stress of the drive, but the $500 price of a drive alone means it is not worth the time to even try, as compared to buying even a older used Hobie.

Rocketfish · 05-05-2015, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FISH11

Not only the kayak you have is not design for the stress of the drive, but the $500 price of a drive alone means it is not worth the time to even try, as compared to buying even a older used Hobie.

I didn't know the drive was $500. I thought it was $300 at which point ROI is still worth it. I paid $300 for the yak and was assuming another $300 would bring me to $600, plus labor. to me that was still worth avoiding buying a used hobie at $1500 which I was thinking is cheap for a used one with mirage drive.

thanks guys!

old_rookie · 05-05-2015, 10:02 AM

You could do this....

Iceman · 05-05-2015, 10:54 AM

Anything is possible!

05-05-2015, 07:43 AM	#1
Rocketfish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: North O.C. Posts: 156	Silly but serious DIY question I am assuming this is near impossible to do, but I wanted to ask it anyway, because my 10 year old daughter posed it to me. I have a future beach kayak, of the run of the mill paddle variety. I was telling her that I really wanted a Hobie because of the mirage drive. Well, she knows I'm an engineer and have done numerous DIY projects, and asked me why I can't just cut a hole in my current yak and install the drive? I'm sure people have considered this, but does anyone know if it has been done? I haven't really looked at the geometry in a Hobie with Mirage drive kayak and am assuming the mold gets really narrow and thick in the area where you mount it. Given our ability to plastic weld and cut holes, how feasible would this be in a regular kayak?

05-05-2015, 08:26 AM	#3
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,638	Not only the kayak you have is not design for the stress of the drive, but the $500 price of a drive alone means it is not worth the time to even try, as compared to buying even a older used Hobie. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

05-05-2015, 10:54 AM	#6
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,943	Anything is possible! __________________

05-05-2015, 07:57 AM	#2
RedSledTeam Daddeo Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: OC Posts: 660	I thought about that a few years ago ....Then I realized, considering your time invested in "engineering" a solution that is 'safe and functional' ....your ROI on that project is not in the 'black'. It's waaaay cheaper to just buy a Hobie! new or used! It has already been engineered and is a proven safe and reliable design.