Anyone using a Hobie Sport with the Turbo Fins?

Howdy Fellow Hobbieists, 

Is anyone using a Sport with Turbo Fins?   The Sport is just so easy to pedal that I thought they might be fun, but thought to ask here first.   Do you like them?   Are they hard to pedal?  Noticeable speed increase?  Likes?  Dislikes?  Etc..

Picture of the day. I turned around and this little guy was following me up Big River in Mendocino (home town).  Yikes!  Stealth Navy Seal Terrorist!  Be afraid... be very afraid. 

-Matt

  He does have that look in his eye.

I have the Turbo Fins but am reluctant to install them.  I've read on other boards where people think that they lead to the crack in hull.  Something about the stress the larger fins put on drive that is transfered to the drive well.

Not sure, hopefully somebody with some experience will way in on the subject.


Michael

I have the Turbo Fins but am reluctant to install them.  I've read on other boards where people think that they lead to the crack in hull.  Something about the stress the larger fins put on drive that is transfered to the drive well.

Not sure, hopefully somebody with some experience will way in on the subject.


Michael

Go for it.  Install the Turbo fins and don't worry.  The drive wells on all 2007 hulls have the beefy reinforcements to deal with any stress.  If your hull was made earlier, Hobie has a free upgrade kit you just need to ask for.

With the ST Turbo fins, you can go faster and further with less pedaling.  The cadence is lower, but the resistance is greater.. just like moving up to a bigger gear on a bike.

The stock fins are like the low gear on a bike.
The intermediate ST fins are like the middle gear (and probably best for most guys).
The ST Turbo fins are the high gear.

If there's any play or movement in your drive while pedaling, you might want to try this for a more snug fit.  The Hobie rep saw it my mine and thought it was good idea.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,7301.0.html

I have them on my "lead sled" and I love them. I can get the Outback up to 8 knots no problem and I can also slow troll with them.

Thanks much ChuckE for the garden hose idea for more stealthy fins, and I assume less wear on the hull.  I love simple solutions.  I bet it turns up on the 2009 Hobies thanks to you and the good Hobie reps.

I've decided to stick with the intermediate fins, because I'm getting into a lot of shallow river water and ocean seaweed, and on a Hobie Sport, with outriggers, when I want speed (just for fun) and if the wind is right, I raise the mainsail.  Or is it just a jib?

If I had to get a bigger boat ( ) and didn't use the sail, I'd be using the turbo fins, because my legs are getting stronger in my older age.

The pic is of Dave/Pescadore in my Hobie:

I don't usually wear my fullsuit for a paddle, but I was showing a friend how to do a self rescue in that freeeezing Big River water........brrrrrrr!!

Interesting pedaling a boat.  Not sure if I like it or not.  Good leg workout though.  What about bracing and balancing?

dave

Hobiesport,

Something to consider is the kelp that you have to deal with at Van Damme.  The Turbos seem to hang up more than the regular fins.  I was able to paddle over most of the kelp at VD without pulling the regular fins; I just locked them up.  No so with the turbos.  I think it may be the difference in shape as much as the size.  I also damaged my drive on a beach exit with turbos.  I never had that problem with the regular fins.

Doug 

I can get the Outback up to 8 knots no problem

Dude!  You must have some monster legs!  That 9.2 mph!  Can you maintain that speed too?
I have an Outback with Turbos and I've never gotten it up to that speed.  I use a GPS to clock my speed.