Hobie surf lanches

I set the mirage drive on the deck, facing the opposite direction as O2B's picture. Pushed as far forward as possible, with the fins flush against the deck, underneath the mid-hatch bungee, so I'm almost sitting on them. If that makes sense.
But I never use the drive plug. And it is awfully hard to paddle through breakers, even with the rudder deployed. Maybe the plug will help it paddle better during surf launches. I don't plug in the mirage drive until I'm clearly outside the surf zone.
Launching isn't as crucial as landing. My Revo has a tendency to go sideways when surfing down a wave. And it's hard to work the rudder AND paddle at the same time. So I end up bracing with my paddle and messing with the rudder at the same time. In the future, I will try to insert the plug and raise the rudder--then just paddle in like normal (bracing to keep straight).

Make sure its leashed too.

I have been playing with this attachment for surf the last few trips and really like it.  I did not like my feet and legs resting on top of the fins, especially when I have to jump out quick.  My feet sit nicely along the fins and the foot space is nice and open.  I have the pedals leashed.  I was moving them to the tankwell and using a strap like O2B for heavy surf, but have been taking too much junk out lately 

I have been playing with this attachment for surf the last few trips and really like it.  I did not like my feet and legs resting on top of the fins, especially when I have to jump out quick.  My feet sit nicely along the fins and the foot space is nice and open.  I have the pedals leashed.  I was moving them to the tankwell and using a strap like O2B for heavy surf, but have been taking too much junk out lately 

very interested in that setup you have anymore pics.is that with the standard only or will it work with turbo fins also

Make sure its leashed too.

This set up survived a surf wipe out when I timed the sets wrong.   

Dune12, Those are the turbo fins.  I just set the fins on edge with the shaft side down and in line, which lets the pedal shafts sit flush on the 8" hatch.  I then use the pedal bungie to hold them tight.  The drive well helps hold them upright.  I find they sit very nicely like this. 

If I am facing a surf with high roll over potential, I still use the nylon strap in the tankwell as it really hold them secure.  I slip the fins under the tankwell bungies and then strap the pedal shafts with the nylon strap.  I also clip the leash in the back just in case.  In a good surf I strip everything and place what I can below deck.

I have been using this front attachment for the small surf.  I do think the front attachment could be made even more secure with an extra strap over gears.  I bet something could be made to snap into the drive clips and then go over the fins or clipped to the leash hole on the front of the pedals.





For big surf:





I also added a rope jam cleat on my 'up' rudder line to securely hold the rudder up while surf landing.  I don't want it to flop around and get broken.

 Oh, put the drive plug in before launching and landing to keep the sand and water out of the cockpit.....
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If u do this an happen to take one over the bow the sand will clog the rim an keep alot of water in ur yak making it hard to manuver an heavy. (Ive done it, it sucked)

I stick the axel in the mast hole and bungee to the deck on my old Adventure (leash too). Crash landed hard many times in Big Sur and everything was fine.

On revo's and PA's the drive does fit in the front hatch BTW

Wow just looking through this post and I must have lucked out. My Hobie came with drive tethers and a place to attach them and that was way back in 2007

On revo's and PA's the drive does fit in the front hatch BTW

Will a mirage drive with turbo fins fit inside the Revo's front hatch?

Even with the mirage drive and everything else leashed and stowed properly, I'm not sure if I'd be comfortable doing a surf launch in my Outback. I have enough trouble as it is just paddling that SUV in flat water, I can't imagine trying to paddle it through the surf. If I'm going to do any kind of surf lunch where the waves are higher than a few feet, I'd rather take my Raptor.