Pelican 130 with Mirage drive? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

goldenglory18 · 03-07-2019, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calwaterbear

I understand that, just from my point of view, how much customer support is worth the 1500 dollar difference - it better be a whole lot.

Andy and the other guys at OEX are the absolute best. Both myself and many others on this forum can speak personally to his level of service.

"You get what you pay for" isn't a saying just mad up out of thin air, and it goes doubly for kayaks...

Iceman · 03-07-2019, 09:08 AM

Quote:

I understand that, just from my point of view, how much customer support is worth the 1500 dollar difference - it better be a whole lot.

I have no experience with Hobie customer support, I'm sure its great. so when someone breaks their drive 3 years into it - is it repaired or replaced for free? or will it cost me?

- I can buy 2 complete boats for the price of 1 Hobie. seems like a great way for a beginner to get into a peddle Kayak for reasonable money. But I'm sure they wont hold their value like the Hobies do!

Well, I don't think you can compare this kayaks features to the Outback for your $1500 difference. like comparing a base model to a special edition.

Before you buy one, find out where the heck you buy replacement parts............break a chain or pulley.....or just have a little squeak you cant figure out. Anyone brings me one of these and I will happily work on them, but it will be charging a convenience fee.

easyday · 03-07-2019, 10:31 AM

If I’m not mistaken the pelians are not rotomolded either?

Iceman · 03-07-2019, 10:36 AM

They are thermo formed, which is not a bad thing at all, just different. Lots of Ultra lights are thermo formed.

goldenglory18 · 03-07-2019, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by easyday

If I’m not mistaken the pelians are not rotomolded either?

That's what I remember as well.

It's VERY difficult to repair the hulls on boats like this...

roosta · 03-08-2019, 11:39 AM

Pelican's drive is what Hobie's drive was 20 years ago. Many other features like roller bearings for reduced friction and square shaped fins for increased performance are still patented. There are many things to learn when getting in to the pedal game that have to do with the amount of force exerted by a MirageDrive pedal system. It's taken Hobie over 20 years to be where they are today. Take that in to consideration when looking at these manufacturers getting in to the pedal game and consider the potential issues that could happen when you are on the water. Other things like boat design, steering and rudder, comfort, cockpit layout, etc... IMO, the quality, customer service, dealer support and years of experience that Hobie carries are worth every penny.

Hobie is local in Oceanside, California. Think about all of the innovation Hobie has brought to the kayak fishing market. Don't the people who have poured their lives in to developing this stuff only to be imitated by other companies in a rat race towards the bottom deserve our respect as kayak anglers?

To address the reverse concern - a few pull cables were snapping when the reverse was first launched because the cables where made out of plastic that was too thin and there was a lack of customer education on how/when to pull the cables. That was addressed and once users understood you need to pull the forward/reverse cable when the pedal cranks are together (both fins pointing straight down) there have been very little issues. I use reverse a lot when I fish.

Hope this helps with your decision.

aznative96 · 03-08-2019, 03:41 PM

You're in socal where value is almost as important as status. how could you possibly consider a cut rate kayak with such an entry level price?

Sorry, just couldn't help that one.

Hobie's are awesome kayaks and hold the lion's share of use for fishing here in Hawaii. Part of the reason for that is that very few other peddle kayaks are carried here by dealers. As the dealers get more requests for "other than Hobie" the numbers of "other peddle" kayaks are rising.

easyday · 03-09-2019, 12:17 AM

I think you should test out the radar as well!

03-07-2019, 10:31 AM	#3
easyday Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oceanside Posts: 1,469	If I’m not mistaken the pelians are not rotomolded either? __________________

03-07-2019, 10:36 AM	#4
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,943	They are thermo formed, which is not a bad thing at all, just different. Lots of Ultra lights are thermo formed. __________________

03-08-2019, 11:39 AM	#6
roosta Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 68	MirageDrive Pelican's drive is what Hobie's drive was 20 years ago. Many other features like roller bearings for reduced friction and square shaped fins for increased performance are still patented. There are many things to learn when getting in to the pedal game that have to do with the amount of force exerted by a MirageDrive pedal system. It's taken Hobie over 20 years to be where they are today. Take that in to consideration when looking at these manufacturers getting in to the pedal game and consider the potential issues that could happen when you are on the water. Other things like boat design, steering and rudder, comfort, cockpit layout, etc... IMO, the quality, customer service, dealer support and years of experience that Hobie carries are worth every penny. Hobie is local in Oceanside, California. Think about all of the innovation Hobie has brought to the kayak fishing market. Don't the people who have poured their lives in to developing this stuff only to be imitated by other companies in a rat race towards the bottom deserve our respect as kayak anglers? To address the reverse concern - a few pull cables were snapping when the reverse was first launched because the cables where made out of plastic that was too thin and there was a lack of customer education on how/when to pull the cables. That was addressed and once users understood you need to pull the forward/reverse cable when the pedal cranks are together (both fins pointing straight down) there have been very little issues. I use reverse a lot when I fish. Hope this helps with your decision.

03-08-2019, 03:41 PM	#7
aznative96 Newbie to plastic boats Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Leeward O'ahu, Hawaii Posts: 18	don't peddle a toyota when you could be in a bmw You're in socal where value is almost as important as status. how could you possibly consider a cut rate kayak with such an entry level price? Sorry, just couldn't help that one. Hobie's are awesome kayaks and hold the lion's share of use for fishing here in Hawaii. Part of the reason for that is that very few other peddle kayaks are carried here by dealers. As the dealers get more requests for "other than Hobie" the numbers of "other peddle" kayaks are rising. __________________ Phil Bender Leeward O'ahu

03-09-2019, 12:17 AM	#8
easyday Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oceanside Posts: 1,469	I think you should test out the radar as well! __________________