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!

Rambo · 05-05-2015, 11:02 AM

Take a look at this guy. Its alot of work but he made it work.

Article has been mention several times probably.

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/r/projects/mirage/

makobob · 05-05-2015, 12:09 PM

Talk to DEFJACK he has one he did with the hobie drive that works just fine.

Cadillyak · 05-05-2015, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rambo

Take a look at this guy. Its alot of work but he made it work.

Article has been mention several times probably.

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/r/projects/mirage/

You beat me to it. I was gonna say that there is at least one guy around with a wooden yak that has done it. Have seen it in the bay at least a few times.

YakDout · 05-05-2015, 02:02 PM

Unless you already have a rudder installed, don't forget about running all the rigging and installing steering.

defjack · 05-05-2015, 02:18 PM

Mine is wood I would not do this with a plastic kayak.

Rambo · 05-05-2015, 02:53 PM

Definitely its an engineering challenge but if your doing this to show case your engineering skills then its a great learning curve. If your doing this mirage drive retro fit into some other plastic kayak, it'll end up costing more than a used Hobie. Lets look at the price break down.

Used Hobie mirage $300 to $400
Hobie Click and Go Assembly (L/R) $ 100
Screws and Hardware to hold Quick Release $5
Marine Goop to seal $5
That already between $400 to $500. If someone donated a mirage drive to your project it'll be more worth while.

Any plan is feasible, but how big of an investment into R&D do you wanna spend. "Don't reinvent the wheel, improve it....!"

Rocketfish · 05-05-2015, 03:29 PM

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I believe you are all correct in stating that this may not be worth it from a money standpoint. Now if any of you know of anyone who can DONATE a mirage drive, let me know haha. I'm up for any challenge so long as the cost won't outweigh the hassle. I KNOW I can make the retrofit no problem, but like you guys have stated, it'll cost the same if not more than a used setup.

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: 2,629	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, 11:02 AM	#7
Rambo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: West Covina, CA Posts: 434	DIY Mirage Drive Mount Take a look at this guy. Its alot of work but he made it work. Article has been mention several times probably. http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/r/projects/mirage/

05-05-2015, 12:09 PM	#8
makobob Baitless on Baja Join Date: May 2013 Location: Vista California, Gonzaga, San Quintin, Asuncion, Mag Bay Posts: 4,250	Talk to DEFJACK he has one he did with the hobie drive that works just fine. __________________ http://www.mako-ville.com Home 760-630-4470 Cell 760-520-2514 YES YOU CAN

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.

05-05-2015, 02:02 PM	#10
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	Unless you already have a rudder installed, don't forget about running all the rigging and installing steering.

05-05-2015, 02:18 PM	#11
defjack Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: lakeside Posts: 65	Mine is wood I would not do this with a plastic kayak.

05-05-2015, 02:53 PM	#12
Rambo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: West Covina, CA Posts: 434	Definitely its an engineering challenge but if your doing this to show case your engineering skills then its a great learning curve. If your doing this mirage drive retro fit into some other plastic kayak, it'll end up costing more than a used Hobie. Lets look at the price break down. Used Hobie mirage $300 to $400 Hobie Click and Go Assembly (L/R) $ 100 Screws and Hardware to hold Quick Release $5 Marine Goop to seal $5 That already between $400 to $500. If someone donated a mirage drive to your project it'll be more worth while. Any plan is feasible, but how big of an investment into R&D do you wanna spend. "Don't reinvent the wheel, improve it....!"

05-05-2015, 03:29 PM	#13
Rocketfish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: North O.C. Posts: 156	Thanks for all the feedback guys. I believe you are all correct in stating that this may not be worth it from a money standpoint. Now if any of you know of anyone who can DONATE a mirage drive, let me know haha. I'm up for any challenge so long as the cost won't outweigh the hassle. I KNOW I can make the retrofit no problem, but like you guys have stated, it'll cost the same if not more than a used setup.