Landing in a Hobie

Next weekend I'm going to depart on my first salt voyage..in the HMB Jetty. I've heard stories of folks yaks flipping over when they land back in on the surf. Also with the mirage drive how do you keep it from scraping along the bottom? I know that if I push one peddle it will cause the finds to level out against the bottom but I'm sure it will still be sticking out? Don't want to put much wear and tear on it. I'm sure I will have several memorable noob moments of falling in the water as its part of practice.

remove drive when landing.

remove drive when landing.

+1 but be sure to have a leash on it too.

and add a short leash to the drive. in the event you flip you won't loose the drive. btw you wont have any waves if you are inside the harbor. Same with albion, no waves....When you come to Albion you will see how ppl have their drives set up.

btw you wont have any waves if you are inside the harbor. Same with albion, no waves....When you come to Albion you will see how ppl have their drives set up.

yep, no surf in HMB harbor or at albion.  But that doesn't mean you still won't flip over   i still remember when splashdown went over in his outback!  the drives are generally fairly safe in their little homes, but a leash never hurts.

removing the drive helps to protect it. I'm a little guilty of not removing it all the time, but in surf zones (even little ones) i always do, if for nothing else but to protect it from sand.

remove drive when landing.

+1 but be sure to have a leash on it too.

Rudder up also
don't forget your paddle.
Tad
 

Pop your drive out.  Secure it down with the cord provided, grab your paddle, pop up your rudder, then wait and wait and wait, its all about timing at this point.  Don't be in a hurry once you get to the surf, then get in a hurry once you've landed...

I always pull my drive if it's going to scrape bottom.
I have a bungie leash from the front of the drive to a pad eye I fixed next to the sailing cord loop. I keep it leashed at all times.
Pull the drive, lay it flat on the deck and use the cord with the hook to secure the fins.
Make sure your rudder is up.
Don't dilly dally when you land.
Get off, grab the front handle (or bowline if you have it) and scurry up the beach to safety.
DO NOT place yourself between the kayak and the beach should your kayak go sideways. Very bad things will happen if you do.

Steph - if you're launching inside the HMB jetty at HMB kayaks, there will be no surf.  That's a great place to start on the salt.  You can pedal out to the harbor mouth and head outside if the conditions are good. Just stay out of the way of PBs, especially around the mouth.  If you venture outside, stay to the south as there are rocks and boilers to the west/northwest right outside the jetty.  That'll get you ready for Albion.  At Albion you can launch off the beach, usually with little surf, or from an easy river launch a 100 yards or so up the river - both are easy options, and they'll be a bunch of us that you can join. Albion has alot of options depending on ocean conditions. If it's rough, you can stay in the inner cove and fish. If it's OK then you have quick access to the open ocean.  So it's a good place to get on the salt as well. My 2-cents is to leave the open surf launches until later when you get some experience and/or take a class.....because they can pummel us.  Good luck and see you at Albion. 

 
  I'm sure you've looked at this alredy, the drive does stick out the bottom of the hull about 1.5" or so, when one of the pedles are pushed forward.  As mentioned already, pull the drive, I shove my drive up under the front hatch bungis and ensure the bungies catch and hold it.  I also have it leashed with 1/16" aircraft cable (Steel cable from OSH) all the time while on the water.  The leash has enough slack for me to place it up under the front hatch bungies.

If they're ankle slappers, I'll pedal in and use the bungy to lock it before hopping out. I launch w/the drive already in place most of the time too.