Video: Rough Launch @ LJ- 12/13/2020

[Salty]

Originally Posted by JohnMckroidJr

Glad you made it out without event. Good to see all the rods lashed horizontally just in case. Do you ever pre-rig the mirage drive ready to use, hooked flush to the hull with the bungie? The method employs scissor kicking in shallow until deep enough for full peddle strokes. My paddle is broken down and stored for emergency use in case the mirage fails. Do any West Coaster's use that method, if not what is the reason?

Yeah, I always secure the rods horizontally, even if the surf is small. Not worth the risk and it only takes a minute to put them up once I'm past the breakers.

And I've never personally used that method for 2 reasons. 1- I want to keep as much sand and sandy water out of the drive as possible. and 2- when I eventually do screw up a launch at some point(because it's bound to happen some day) I'd prefer not to have the drive exposed if the kayak is rolling away in shallow water.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by Salty

And I've never personally used that method for 2 reasons. 1- I want to keep as much sand and sandy water out of the drive as possible. and 2- when I eventually do screw up a launch at some point(because it's bound to happen some day) I'd prefer not to have the drive exposed if the kayak is rolling away in shallow water.

I have been launching via the mirage drive(no paddle) for 6 years and sand has never been an issue for me. Unlike a fishing reel, that gets gridlocked quickly. The mirage can just be dunked a few times in cleaner water, exercised a couple of strokes and it's good to go. If sand were a concern, I don't think Hobie would have the youtube video promoting this method of launching.

I have bent my fair share of masts, but with kickup fins, that issue has yet to occur.

Originally Posted by SoCalEDC

Yea thats how I launched my outback. I would throw the drive in and use the bungee around one of the cranks which would pin the fins, then walk out to about waist deep, pick my spot, jump in and pedal like a mad man while using the rudder in the right hand.

That's my method, but I try to jump in before waste deep. Always a plus to make it out without getting the personals wet.

Originally Posted by FISH11

That's the way I always launched my Hobie Revo 13 when I still owned it for 4 1/2 years. I've always told people there is a lot more power and speed using the mirage drive and your legs to get the hell out of the kill zone going out and coming in. Also you can't loose your drive in the surf if it's locked in place besides having a leash on it.

Totally agree. Mine is always leashed for the inbound transit, and gets pulled out when the depth gets too shallow to avoid bending a mast. Even if one bungies the masts flush to the hull, I have at times bent a mast.