Rock solid Hobie drive arm upgrade group buy ... UPDATED WITH ORDER INFO!!

At this point I will only be offering the stock length but may offer different lengths later on.

At this point I will only be offering the stock length but may offer different lengths later on.

I can understand the need to keep it simple. But if/when you decide to offer longer lengths, let me know. By then I'll have my ideal length totally dialed in, since I've been experimenting with longer lengths (btw, it makes a significant, positive difference, IMHO). Gimme 15" (maybe 16") cranks arms with standard bike pedals, and I'll be in Hobie paradise...

At this point I will only be offering the stock length but may offer different lengths later on.

I can understand the need to keep it simple. But if/when you decide to offer longer lengths, let me know. By then I'll have my ideal length totally dialed in, since I've been experimenting with longer lengths (btw, it makes a significant, positive difference, IMHO). Gimme 15" (maybe 16") cranks arms with standard bike pedals, and I'll be in Hobie paradise...

All the pedals will be adaptable for either standard Hobie Pedals or 9/16 bike pedals. A longer version is in the plans but may no happen on the first production run.

Fabricating an option for either Hobie standard pedals or threaded bike pedals is a brilliant move. If the project is successful Hobie might have to imitate. My take on this is that most Hobie pedal craft receive light and infrequent use and therefore those users experience none or few breakdown issues. The hard core salt water users have exposed the two glaring weaknesses in the drive arm/pedal design. Hollow arm construction is prone to breakage at the adjustment holes especially as the SS pin eats thin aluminum metal over time at the adjustment hole and weakens the integrity of the shaft. The pressed fit rod on standard shafts also needs solid not hollow shaft material for the maximum strength desired while for off shore use.

Way to go in giving the Hobie pedaling kayak tribe a viable option.

I will have pricing firmed in the next couple of days as I am working on a few changes to the design. Stay tuned and I will keep you all updated.

Thank you!

Quick question on the new arms.  Are you still able to easily adjust the pedal position, or do you loose that ability with the new design?

Quick question on the new arms.  Are you still able to easily adjust the pedal position, or do you loose that ability with the new design?

Are you referring to the bungie on the back of the pedal? If so then yes that feature will still be there. 

Think he is refering to the 1-7 position setting

Think he is refering to the 1-7 position setting

The 1-7 adjustment settings will remain unchanged. Though we did tighten up the tolerances to reduces play and future wear.

Hey guys. This is a project I've been working on for a while and I'm in the final stages.
After having Mirage Drive arms fail on my boat and friends boats I decided I could build something better. Last year I made a few prototypes and have only gotten positive feedback. Since I am only an amateur fabricator I will be having custom solid aircraft grade aluminum arms for the Hobie Mirage drive machined to my specs. These will be sized exactly like the OEM arms and the same pedals will bolt on. The big difference will be THESE WONT BREAK! I guarantee that these arms will not break.

I have a few sets of my prototypes out there and I have been using a set for over a year .... Still rock solid.

Right now I'm trying to gauge an interest level of these and see if 10 or 20 guys are interested in a pair. Cost will be less than a set of new arms from Hobie but I don't have a definite price yet. I am opening this to my NWKA and NCKA brothers first.
What are your thoughts guys?

Some of you guys are killing me , The guy says, I am an amatuer fabricator, and my stuff works.  In any other sport, if you want high performance parts you pay more than stock OEM, but some of you think this can be done better, stronger, and cheaper...no where did I see made in China or Pakistan in his conversation.

This may work as a Kickstarter campaign! I own the equipment to make them (www.peridotcorp.com) if you have not settled on a fabricator. Possibly interesting suggestion, make them longer than stock and drill/tap several locations so user can customize/change pedal location  length?  Stroke length is adjustable courtesy of Hobie so that different users can fit, drive arms with adjustment for length would be very functional. I suspect Hobie would have a warranty issue with cracked hulls due to the increased leverage?

I have tossed around the idea of kick starter but with the response from my NWKA and NCKA family I don't see a reason to give Kick Starter 5%. I rather cut everyone a good deal. The multiple hole location is an interesting idea .... Let me chew on it.

I have tossed around the idea of kick starter but with the response from my NWKA and NCKA family I don't see a reason to give Kick Starter 5%. I rather cut everyone a good deal. The multiple hole location is an interesting idea .... Let me chew on it.

That's the spirit.  Forget kickstarter for something like this.  And don't offer these bozos the savings.  Pocket the 5% and re-invest it in more product!

While I love Luther and Yakattack, they are more tuned into East Coast needs.  I can think of a number of other "west coast innovations" that need someone like you to push.

-Allen

I have tossed around the idea of kick starter but with the response from my NWKA and NCKA family I don't see a reason to give Kick Starter 5%. I rather cut everyone a good deal. The multiple hole location is an interesting idea .... Let me chew on it.

That's the spirit.  Forget kickstarter for something like this.  And don't offer these bozos the savings.  Pocket the 5% and re-invest it in more product!

While I love Luther and Yakattack, they are more tuned into East Coast needs.  I can think of a number of other "west coast innovations" that need someone like you to push.

-Allen

Baby steps to start....
But the idea is to create useful kayak accessories that are mostly function. Anything you guys would like to see please let me know! I already have a sort list of things I'd like to work on but I'm always looking for more ideas.

Oh the possibilities!