Hobie, "A New Way to Fish!".

But you do have a point on the width, I was looking at the non-Ultralite which is 2" narrower.

-Allen

But you do have a point on the width, I was looking at the non-Ultralite which is 2" narrower.

-Allen

Are you talking about the regular Tarpon 120. It is 30" also.

But you do have a point on the width, I was looking at the non-Ultralite which is 2" narrower.

-Allen

Are you talking about the regular Tarpon 120. It is 30" also.

Interesting.  The first link I clicked on had it at 28" .. http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/77299?productId=1281771&subrnd=0&qs=3016887_pmd_google_pla

But the WS site does say 30".

-Allen

I think I stumbled upon their new design! 

The hulls have no tracking now. If they went to a more traditional hull they would gain tracking via the keel. The rocker would allow it to ride up over waves more and turn quicker. The hard chines would add initial stability without slowing it down. They also need to get the proportions right (length vs width). Stick a mirage-drive in a tarpon and there you have it.

The hulls have no tracking now. If they went to a more traditional hull they would gain tracking via the keel. The rocker would allow it to ride up over waves more and turn quicker. The hard chines would add initial stability without slowing it down. They also need to get the proportions right (length vs width). Stick a mirage-drive in a tarpon and there you have it.

More keel and more rocker?  Seems like opposing forces to me.  And actually, hard chines have been shown to be less efficient.  Although hard chines are very good at leaned turns, something you're not going to be doing much while pedaling.

-Allen

I wonder if someone could make an aftermarket keel attachment through the rear scuppers that wouldnt interfere with the mirage drive...I wish my PA would track better...always have to stay on the rudder...just a thought...


-Murf

some keel and some rocker. It is not about one or the other.IMO, Hull design is a give and take balancing act. Speed vs Stability, tracking vs maneuverability. That is why the vast majority of sea kayaks have some rocker and some keel.

  So easy for everyone to say what they would like to have,,, but fact is.    Everything has it's trade off.    You can have lighter weight,,, but it costs $$$ in more expensive materials.   
   Polymer designers are doing everything they can  to develop a stiffer rotational plastic...  yet even there, is a trade off.   Stiffer loses it's "flexural  strength" .     Reason #1 that scupper carts cause cracks at that area,,  ( poor flexiblity ).
   
     

Tarpon UL is made from high impact acrylic and ABS. Now you know. 

Tarpon UL is made from high impact acrylic and ABS. Now you know.

Yup, so it's thermoformed ABS!

-Allen

My guess = ability to reverse.

Just install the drive backwards-works great!

Great one more boat to collect.

Stick a mirage-drive in a tarpon

...I just jizzed in my pants!

Haha I've been saying that same thing: wish I could just plug a mirage drive into a T160. That w/b my dream yak.

Stick a mirage-drive in a tarpon

Haha I've been saying that same thing: wish I could just plug a mirage drive into a T160. That w/b my dream yak.

That would be the Hobie Adventure.