Hobie drive owners opinions wanted

Zeelander calls it a lame little myth that should die quietly but he is on the hobie payroll. i believe it is worthy of mention.


What???  Zeelander is on the Hobie payroll?  Z, you've been holding out on me, buddy!!  Share some of that wealth!

Feel a need to Chime in Here,

I can say for myself that my Relationship with Kayak manufactures and Retailers is more of a

 " Labor of Love " than accumulation of Wealth. I get thrown a couple bones here and there,

but mainly I do it as to get prizes for events, promote NCKA and the Sport.

I'm sure Z is in the same place with it...

 These Kayak manufactures don't make Millionairs out of their teams, That's for sure...

  ChuckE did not even have a Hobie for for a time there,

While being a Regional Rep for the Team!!! ....

 I won't deny that I like Feeling like I'm in " The Bizz " and learning about it, but if i would

were to put in a " My time vrs Money and Gear ", I would be far better off just buying the Gear without any ties to anybody.

 As it is, being a big Hobie fan, I readily stir people towards Ocean Kayak, or other brands as to see what works best for them and point out the advantages/disadvantages of both.

But Please, Don't let this get in the way of a Good Match between Z and J
 

 Off the Box....

 Congrats on the Revo,  Kinda thought you would " Roll " that way........

Hey J , been a while huh? Thanks for trying to keep me in shape. 

You know I'm sure that if you got underwater and looked up from the bottom a Hobie kayak may look something like an animal. Whatever, nice observation. But so does a traditional kayak, a surfboard, even a windsurfboard. GWS have been proven to attack those. But To claim that a Hobie equals shark attacks? What Are you basing this theory on? Opinion? That's fine, you're free to think whatever you want but it should stay as that, your personal opinion. The facts, on the other hand, actually point out that traditional kayaks are much more prone to shark attacks.

The shark research committee's data shows that there's been 7 attacks on kayaks by sharks on the west coast of the USA. As far as I can tell there's been more than 11 attacks world wide. Of those 11 only one is a Hobie. How can you claim that they're prone to shark attack when they're only the tiniest of minorities? Based on the facts, traditional kayaks are looking to be more like shark bait.

26 Jan 1989, T. M., Kayaking, Malibu/Paradise Cove, CA
21 Jul 2007   "Dan"   Kayaking, Bean Hollow Beach, San Mateo County, CA
21 Jun 2008, B.P., Kayaking,   West Cove, Catalina Island, CA (http://beach.freedomblogging.com/2008/06/23/shark-attacks-woman-on-kayak-at-catalina-knocks-her-off/)
5  Sep 1990 M. H., Kayaking, Trinidad Head, CA
14 Nov 1992, K. K., Kayaking, Ano Nuevo Island, CA
10 Oct 1993, R. J., Kayaking, Arch Rock, CA
24 Jun 1995, unknown, Kayaking, La Jolla Shores, CA
Feb 2002 Sydney Aus. Kayaking (http://www.sharkattacks.com/news1.htm)
Aug 1 2001 Whananaki New Zealand, kayaking (http://www.sharkattacks.com/news1.htm)
Oct 15, 2007 Sydney Aus. kayaking (http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSSYD258282)
No date, Elliot's Bay, New Zealand, kayaking (http://www.fishingkites.co.nz/sharks/greatwhitesharkattack.html)

All I wanted to say by my original post was that the comment about Hobies being prone to shark attacks was based on nothing more than just an opinion that's been turning into a myth. I thought it would be lame if someone changed their mind away from a kayak they liked based on someone's opinion and just pointed it out.

OUT!

Z

The facts as posted by Z:

1) Less than 9% of all kayaks in the ocean are hobies, YET (drum roll) MORE than 9% of the attacks are ON HOBIES!

2) of 16 kayaks in the water the day of the bean hollow attack (btw, I was just south of aNo that day), ONLY THE HOBIE GETS HIT!

conclusion based on the FACTS:

CLEARLY HOBIES ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO SHARK ATTACKS!

Z, that was a great post, very factual.  I congratulate you on a most excellent post.

just like mine, 

1) Less than 9% of all kayaks in the ocean are hobies, YET (drum roll) MORE than 9% of the attacks are ON HOBIES!

Either you're a politician or a lawyer 'cuz that's some amazing spin!!

of 16 kayaks in the water the day of the bean hollow attack (btw, I was just south of aNo that day), ONLY THE HOBIE GETS HIT!

conclusion based on the FACTS:

CLEARLY HOBIES ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO SHARK ATTACKS!

You're comedy J. One instance makes the rule. 

But really though, we've been through this before and we just go back and forth and won't budge so I'll leave it at that. Whoever gets attacked by a shark first owes the other a Coke.

Z

Along the Jmairy spin on the facts I would like to add a few. ALL true of course:

Fact: There are well over one dozen bones in the human body. If you were to lay them out end to end, they'd stretch for several feet!


Fact: Jupiter may be the largest planet in the solar system... but it boasts less phones booths than the tiny European principality of Monaco!


Fact: The Aztecs had no word for "pudding."


Fact: It easier to smile than frown. Smiling uses only 17 facial muscles while frowning takes 42. However, it only takes 24 muscles to smile at someone sarcastically while giving them the finger.


Fact: Ancient rock pictures, recently discovered in a prehistoric cave in France, reveal that as early as 2 million years ago, cavemen were really bad at drawing!


Fact: "Napoleon" is a palindrome for "Noelopan"... a made-up word which has no meaning!


Fact: Those amazing animals! It's common knowledge that kangaroos carry their young in pouches and ants can lift many times their own weight, but few realize that an ant can't lift a kangaroo.


Fact: The Millennium Dome in London, England is the largest enclosed space in the world. If you were to completely fill it with people, then your band must be pretty good.


Fact: Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb in 1879. Ironically, it was the solution to exactly the same problem he'd been working on!


Fact: A chameleon can change colours to match its environment yet, come on, you can still see there's a chameleon there.


Fact: The tallest man in recorded history, who lived in a remote village in Kenya, stood well over six feet!


Fact: Many have heard of the Great Wall of China, the world's largest manmade object and the only human construction visible from orbit. But fewer have heard of the Okay Wall of China, which is also pretty good.


Fact: There are over two hundred words in the English language.


Fact: The Sun constitutes over 99% of the total mass of the solar system and has shone for over 4.5 billion years. If it were shrunk to the size of a golf ball and placed on the pitcher's mound of Yankee Stadium, it would most likely burn many of the players.


Fact: Eskimos have over 17 words for snow. Yet, they still get sick of talking about it.

Amazing how much BS can actually be factual!

 wow !!  you guys can really bash. forget the facts and lets talk some common sense. look at the way your mirage-drive fins move the water. there is a lot of splashing and churning. now think about it for a while.

The Aztecs had no word for "pudding.

Good thing Bill Cosby wasn't around back then.

Thanks Mike...funny stuff. This was the only post on the thread that I actually read.

Al

common sense. look at the way your mirage-drive fins move the water. there is a lot of splashing and churning. now think about it for a while.

Well, Thinking About it...

The Mirage Drive is a rhythmic motion under water, no splashing,  while you paddle,

unrhythmic and definitely splashing...

 Really enjoying this thread,

 Great Post Tote!!!!   


 

The Aztecs had no word for "pudding.

Good thing Bill Cosby wasn't around back then.

Thanks Mike...funny stuff. This was the only post on the thread that I actually read.

Al

wow, Al, you only read one post, yet you still managed to post! I bet you vote in *every* election too! 

Actually I agree that the chance of an attack is so low that what boat you ride doesn't matter very much in the equation.

It's not like a GWS is just waiting for that hobie to pedal out before he goes for the mistaken bite.

a yak's a yak is an elephant seal to a shark. paddles, pedals, probably not a whole lot of difference there.

that said, when I paddle out from davenport to BH and maybe I will use a longer yak, with some extra flotation, some funky spraypaint on the bottom, no mirage drive, and a Shark Shield hanging off the stern... not that I think it really makes any difference, but it makes me feel better which DOES make a difference.

I just think we all got to watch the Z and the other team-boys and not let them get too big for their britches,  .

Just feels at times like the do-it-for-money guys on this board are starting to squelch the do-it-for-fun guys a little too often recently.

kayakjack makes a comment and out come the attack dogs and propaganda machine. that does not feel right.

you take those two bit deals and you sell out. I can't see it being worth it myself. I mean I like to be able to insult anyone equally at any time it suits me,    Not just the guy that makes a comment against the manu that gave me a few stickers..

J

 

do-it-for-money guys on this board

two bit deals and you sell out

  Oh Boy, Ya, just about ready to quit my Day Job......



 

 
Im starting to "get" this board.........seeing as im the only one on this board who has actually been personally,  mauled by a GWS, I MUST be the resident expert, and my opinion should be taken as FACT :smt04
My factual opinion, is i dont have one! Z and J both sound about rite Its a freaking c#%pshoot!oh yea, and all those sellout, traitor, milloniare, industry sponsored types should buy themselves luxury yachts and go fish the tropics for billfish and leave us poor serfs alone....JUST KIDDING....i dont believe im actually gonna post this hogwash.
Z, once again, sorry for reacting badly to a jab earlier in the season....

These Hobies sound like really nice Kayaks. I'm not sure about the Shark factor? But it seems to make sense that your kayak would resemble a big SEAL with flippers versus a kayak being paddled. Either way though, its up to the landlord on which tenants need eviction notices.
 I'm definitely going to give a Hobie a test drive before I purchase my next Kayak. I just hope I love my next boat as much as I'm loving my P15. You become one with your yak after spending 5-8 hours out on the big blue.

do-it-for-money guys on this board

two bit deals and you sell out

  Oh Boy, Ya, just about ready to quit my Day Job......

Danglin, even with all those millions you are pulling down, you are still pretty much a down to earth fireman, that's what I like about you! 

J

Sheesh...not again.

If you follow the link to the Catalina attack, the woman appears to be on a Frenzy...the same yak that was attacked at the mouth of the Russian...do I think its because its a Frenzy...no.  The Frenzy at the mouth of the Russian was launched off of a seal infested beach, and ANY dinky yak is too close to "matching the hatch" in my book.  I personally would avoid ANY small boats on big blue, and small boats in a seal colony that is known to be sharky is simply asking for it...and sometimes you get it!

Hobies IMHO have an issue similar to dinky boats. At some level they also "match the hatch".  They move like a marine mammals.  It's not an accident...its were Hobie got the idea for crying out loud. FYI-big sharks eat marine mammals. People design our fishing lure to move and look like prey items. Do I think its the whole story...not at all.

Were the idiots that got attached at Ano attacked because sharks hate SIKs...no, they got chomped because they were f'ing around in the middle of the GWS snack bar.

That said...other times you're just gonna get it no matter what you do, but it doesn't hurt to to minimize your odds.  I would place these things in this order:

1) Wrong place
2) Wrong season....watch this link in 05-07 and you'll see what I mean! http://www.topp.org/species/white_shark
3) Mis-guided behavior (fish bleeding etc.)
4) Wrong yak
 
All in all it really I have spent a ton of time off of the coast in yaks and pbs, and all those years, some days with alby blood pouring from the scuppers...I have never seen a GWS...and that is the best part of this thread...they are pretty damn uncommon in most places.  So use your head, reduce your chances of being unlucky, and you'll probably be just fine.

I think scwa probably got it about right. IF, there is any reason for a shark to attack a Hobie it's waaaay down this list of others and the chance of that happening is so unbelievable miniscule it's not worth worrying about.

BTW since I've been dubbed a "do it for money" kayak fisherman I think I'm retiring when I hit 40. That monthly $0 paycheck is really taking care of me. I'm so lame.

Z