Turbo Fins or Not

I'm switching back to the standard fins after having multiple failures from the turbos.  The last failure (yesterday) was a tear in the rubber that allowed the threaded adjustment pin to come out of it's socket and jam the action.  When inspecting the fins, I also noticed that the rubber sockets that hold the long rods were getting thin and the metal was slightly exposed in a couple of places.  In fairness to Hobie, I think I may have found a factor that was contributing to these failures.  A couple of years ago, I hit a submerged rock at Miller Park while pedaling the yak and bent one of the rods.  I straightened it the best I could but when I removed it this morning, I noticed it wasn't quite straight.  I also noticed the rod on the other fin was slightly bent too.  I have always been careful never to launch or land with the drive in, but somehow the longer Turbo rods got bent.  It appears that the additional stress placed on the rubber by the bent rods may have been causing the rubber to weaken and eventually fail.  I have a tendency to pedal harder than what may really be necessary which is probably also contributing to the problem and may have something to do with the rods bending.  I think the standard fins will be more durable since they attach without the adjustment piece and the shorter rods should have less tendency to develop bends.  The Revo is a fast enough platform without the additional fin  length in my opinion.  I remember some discussion about a similar topic a couple of years ago and they resolved the problem by going back to the standard fins.

You don't need turbo fins anyways Martin. With those monster quads that you have, I was not surprised that those turbo fins would give out eventually. Stick with the standard fins and you'll be all right. I'm sure you'll still smoke me even with my turbos.

Jedmo

You need to use the "warp speed" sparingly! 

Hi Martin,

Would these help you straighten things up?

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/3413/Hobie-Mirage-Drive-V2-Sprocket-Upgrade-Kit.html


Ben

Hi Ben,
Mine are already the newer screw in type masts.  I think the standard fins are the fix.

The standard ones should last you longer, til you toast them too. Slow down and smell the fish bait Speed Racer.
dave...

No respect!

Hi Martin,

Would these help you straighten things up?

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/3413/Hobie-Mirage-Drive-V2-Sprocket-Upgrade-Kit.html


Ben

jesus!  51 bones for that upgrade is just crazy.

although i have the older set screw masts and they are a serious pain.  the set screw has popped on me twice, so inconvenient.

sorry to hear about your Turbo troubles, martin.

sincerely, the other martin

for me i couldn't stand the stock fins, always seemed like you had to try to hard, what about the middle fins, same price as the stalkers
james

I have turbo fins and the larger sailing rudder on both my Revo and Adventure....zero regrets.

Hi Martin,

Would these help you straighten things up?

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/3413/Hobie-Mirage-Drive-V2-Sprocket-Upgrade-Kit.html


Ben

jesus!  51 bones for that upgrade is just crazy.

although i have the older set screw masts and they are a serious pain.  the set screw has popped on me twice, so inconvenient.

sorry to hear about your Turbo troubles, martin.

sincerely, the other martin

So far I have been avoiding the screw in masts. Even on the newer drive units I have removed the screw in mast sprockets and replaced them with the set screw type for a couple of reasons. One... all my drive units are the same (old and new). Two..if you snap off a mast or it slips out (let's say you hit an underwater stump on an eight mile drift of a river) you can stick the shaft back in the sprocket and at least get it snug enough to finish the day. If you snap off a screw in mast you are back to paddling...still not a trip end'er.  Lock-tite on the set screws is a must when reassembling the drives and unfortunately there is a fine line on how tight the set screws should be tightened ...been there-done that too.

Like anything cars, motor cycles, etc ...there is what I have always called the "horse power to wear ratio" more horses...more wear. A very wise Hobie guy (ChuckE) taught me early start pedaling slow and then once you get going you can pour on the coal. The performance of the over size fins and rudder far exceed any downside if used with caution. Wish I could practice what I preach...

I have the turbo fins and sailing rudder setup on my outback.  They have exceeded my expectations by far!  Both durability and performance wise.   

Martin,

Some of those Australian offshore Adventure Island guys have switched from turbos to the standard fins.

Can't recall the reasoning, but I think it had to do with ease of getting started on the pedals w/only a minor drop in top speed.

I'm brand new at this game and my turbo fins have been outstanding so far. Just amazed at the speed vs effort, even when I'm running with the sail and outriggers attached.

Good luck on the switch.

Karl

I pedaled the Revo with the standard fins for the first time this week.  I noticed a slight difference but not much at all.  If this means greater durability, I'm sold on the original fins.  No more Turbo for me.  I can live without the additional speed if it means I won't be breaking down.  I've been told to slow down and smell the ?????.  The standard fins will help accomplish this.

Martin

I wish I had your problem Martin.  I can only dream of owning a Hobie for now 
I do smell the bait while paddling though..it's really not that good