hacking up my yak

[dsafety]

As Yogi Berra might have said, " You don't know what you don't know". I am a happy Revo driver and while the design is not perfect I do not find much to complain about. I am curious as to what Jim and Gary object to about the Hobie hull design.

I can see some advantages to the kevlar hull. The stiffness and smooth skin should enhance both speed and handling as long as the mirage drive is installed in a location that does not fight with the fluid dynamics of the hull. The lighter weight should also be a plus. On the other hand, I can bang my yak into just about anything without causing any damage. Can the same be said about a glass kayak?

So tell us what we don't yet know. What's wrong with Hobie hull designs?

Bob

[bubblehide]

Bob, Hobie has designed their hulls for stability, instead of efficiency and tracking, as such, it's pretty common knowledge that Hobie's don't track for shit, and down right suck in the surf. However, the Revo has to be hands down their best fishing yak hull. But if you don't believe me, just try pedaling it around with the rudder up, and see what happens. The Altura hull, is about as good as one can get to a cross between an efficient touring yak and a yak designed for fishing, unless one goes to the effort of a complete ground up design.

[jorluivil]

Looks like we might be needing some popcorn for this one.

[mtnbykr2]

imo,
He may be pretty hard to keep up with when he is on the "pedals" when this is all completed

[Iceman]

Looks like we might be needing some popcorn for this one.

Just trying to build a better mouse trap, may have been a better way of Bubblehide to respond to reason for the project.

[tony]

Some more Hobie hackers......

http://madmariner.com/blogs/navagear/24999
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/...rage/index.htm
http://www.lunadadesign.com/nagare-2...age-drive.html

[bubblehide]

Originally Posted by Iceman

Just trying to build a better mouse trap, may have been a better way of Bubblehide to respond to reason for the project.

yep, your right, I am trying to build a better mouse trap, and I probably should have left it as that; sorry.

[Fiskadoro]

Originally Posted by bubblehide

yep, your right, I am trying to build a better mouse trap, and I probably should have left it as that; sorry.

Damn Hobbie Hater

[dsafety]

Originally Posted by bubblehide

yep, your right, I am trying to build a better mouse trap, and I probably should have left it as that; sorry.

Your comments about the Hobie hull designs are pretty accurate. Even the Revo probably could use some refinements. I would love to not have to have my hand on the rudder control all the time while peddling around and being able to easily land in tough surf conditions without fear of holding a yard sale is something everyone would appreciate.

As with most things, accommodations have to be made by the manufacturers so that products will appeal to the widest range of potential customers. Experiments such as yours may open a few eyes as to what can be done. I look forward to seeing the results.

Here is something to think about. Your comment about Hobies not tracking well is true when under peddle power. My Revo, when in paddle mode tracks much better, even without using the rudder. I wonder if the turbulence or some other factor that is introduced by the Mirage Drive has anything to do with this.

Your experiment will probably shed some light on this. If the modified yak retains its excellent handling characteristics after the Mirage Drive is installed, you will have probably proved that the Hobie hulls need some work. If, on the other hand, the peddle system induces tracking problems similar to what we Hobie users experience, that would be another lesson learned.

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Bob

[StinkyMatt]

I admire your spirit of adventure, big balls for cutting up a yak and the brain work that goes into a project like that. Without folks like these we would all be still using these things called "paddle" to move our yaks around.