Humbled by god's creation," Bean Hallow" 10/20/06

Holy S#%* Frank--I just finished reading your story and the ensuing diatribes. These incidents put a knot in the pit of my stomach. I posted a month or so back some pics of various kayak shaped inflatable

devices that I stand by as a means of displacing water in an already swamped kayak. The best one being float bags made for recreation kayaks by NRS and Harmony.  I'm a member of the Coast Guard

Auxilliary here in Humboldt. We had 43 rescue ops by boat, helo and kayak with only two fatalities in the last calendar year. These guys are the real heroes of this thread and should be commended more for their service.

If your in trouble and you have a VHF radio handy, it's a damn sure bet that an orange angel will be inbound for your a## before hypothermia sets in. I also run a pro-kayak shop where we drill and drill and

drill some more in ocean survival. A swamped kayak rings a death knell for the unprepared but you can only call yourself prepared if you've put in the time on the water swamping your boat, using your VHF

while treading water, pumping and displacing water, Changing out batteries, familiarizing with your rescue and signal kit. I also find Buddhist meditation techniques to be helpful for centering yourself when

the s#% hits the fan. Your previous life came in handy frank and I know this cause dead men tell no tales! Please everyone take classes, seek out professionals who know what their doing and glom on to

them like the second coming. This is advice from a smelt but what the hey!

Holy S#%* Frank--I just finished reading your story and the ensuing diatribes. These incidents put a knot in the pit of my stomach. I posted a month or so back some pics of various kayak shaped inflatable

devices that I stand by as a means of displacing water in an already swamped kayak. The best one being float bags made for recreation kayaks by NRS and Harmony.  I'm a member of the Coast Guard

Auxilliary here in Humboldt. We had 43 rescue ops by boat, helo and kayak with only two fatalities in the last calendar year. These guys are the real heroes of this thread and should be commended more for their service.

If your in trouble and you have a VHF radio handy, it's a damn sure bet that an orange angel will be inbound for your a## before hypothermia sets in. I also run a pro-kayak shop where we drill and drill and

drill some more in ocean survival. A swamped kayak rings a death knell for the unprepared but you can only call yourself prepared if you've put in the time on the water swamping your boat, using your VHF

while treading water, pumping and displacing water, Changing out batteries, familiarizing with your rescue and signal kit. I also find Buddhist meditation techniques to be helpful for centering yourself when

the s#% hits the fan. Your previous life came in handy frank and I know this cause dead men tell no tales! Please everyone take classes, seek out professionals who know what their doing and glom on to

them like the second coming. This is advice from a smelt but what the hey!

Kayak Connection in SC just got in a bunch of float bags. I found one size that fits perfectly in the bow and stern of a WS Tarpon 160i. For the stern, I partially inflated it and shoved it under the tankwell. Then it was inflated fully. For the bow, it fits perfectly and doesn't block the space under the hatch. I like the idea of having the same size flotation bags in the bow and stern, so the boat will be more likely to stay level in the water if it swamps.

I posted a month or so back some pics of various kayak shaped inflatable devices that I stand by as a means of displacing water in an already swamped kayak.

Swellrider,

How do the float bags work for the stern of a SOT? I can see stuffing them in the bow hatch and maybe in the hatch in front of the seat but what about the stern? Are you just stuffing small ones in the middle and pushing them to the back?

I posted a month or so back some pics of various kayak shaped inflatable devices that I stand by as a means of displacing water in an already swamped kayak.

Swellrider,

How do the float bags work for the stern of a SOT? I can see stuffing them in the bow hatch and maybe in the hatch in front of the seat but what about the stern? Are you just stuffing small ones in the middle and pushing them to the back?

I can't speak for swellrider, but in my case I was able to fit a partially inflated bag through the scupper posts under the tankwell. Once the bag gets past the scupper holes, you can inflate it all the way. The bag I used was identical to the one I put in the bow. It almost exactly matched the shape of the Tarpon 160 bow, from the tip back to the beginning of the hatch opening.

Littoral--I don't know if you've resolved the stern floatation issue. What  I do for my stern is put in bow floatation from my whitewater kayak. It's small but has a long air tube. I just slide two of them down

there. One on the left one on the right, give it a few puffs and instant bulk head. If I'm crabbing or want more storage space I can leave them deflated but stowed. Ready in case of emergency. I've tested it

with my kayak swamping in 50 degree water and I had enough time to inflate both float bags and stabilize the stern. Wildwasser is a german company that produces good float bags. You can usually find them

at specialty kayak shops that carry prijon sea-kayaks. Otherwise REI or such should have regular Whitewater floatbags. If you have A big hatch consider float bags by 'Harmony' for recreation kayaks or even

 canoe float bags for really big hatches like the Malibu line.

Anything new on the cause, fix, or Hobie response to the kayak hull crack apparently involved in the Bean Hollow incident?

Thanks.

Wow ...Frankfish had told me that there was a little flak that had happened on this post,  but I had no idea....I guess I'm late to the party and being a friend of Franks and the owner of 3 hobie's with mirage drives; ....

I like to comend NCKA for responding to the inflammatory post with calm camaraderie. It would have been very easy to get into a " War of Words " on that one.

I also feel that Hobbie has put a good foot forward in addressing the problems noted, not so sure about how Frank was treated.

Found a little problem with one of my new sports...Guess I'll get to see how Hobie customer service works for myself.............

Way to stay Kool NCKA ......Danglin

Anything new on the cause, fix, or Hobie response to the kayak hull crack apparently involved in the Bean Hollow incident?

The boat was replaced long ago.

The cause of the leak was never fully determined and the dealer disposed of the kayak as far as we know. We had received second or third hand reports of the inspection. It was reported that the forward drive area had a crack. I had guessed that the smaller leak (reported by the owner) could have opened up with agressive pedaling while trying to get out through the surf.

No similar reports of problems with Outfitters have been received.

The peddles were not used  and left behind in the vehicle as previously mentioned. So that wasn't the reason.Trying other Kayaks for ocean launches of the type we do in NCKA waters.The Hobie is for fair whether Kayaking on lakes,rivers,bays and the like. Not places like Bean Hallow.

I had not heard that the pedal system was left behind. That would likely exclude a drive well issue from being the cause...

As far as the suitability of a Hobie Mirage Kayak for Ocean launches and fishing... Hobie Mirage kayaks are used the World-over in all kinds of conditions. There is no reason that they are not suitable for ocean use, but there are better choices than the Outfitter for rough conditions and paddling. Certainly the Outfitter is not the best hull for paddling due to the width and higher sides. As far as construction and materials... there is little difference between a Hobie Mirage and other rotomolded hulls.

In the roughest and rocky surf launches, likely the best Hobie Mirage models for paddling or pedaling  would be the Hobie Mirage Oasis Tandem, Hobie Mirage Revolution and the Hobie Mirage Adventure. All of these are narrower and great paddling hulls. Many users will leave the drive fins in the up position or strap the drive down for surf launch and landing. They use the paddle to get through the surf and then pedal.

The advantages of the pedal system for fishing is well known and there is nothing better in rough, current and windy conditions than a Hobie Mirage kayak.

Matt, Again thanks for your input and it is good to have a rep. on our post to ask questions of as we use our Kayaks. I have the Revolution now and have done what you suggested about strapping the Mirage peddles in place while paddling in current (Dumbarton Bridge) where things are quick and ripping at a very fast rate. Maybe you can suggest something else because I have found that with the peddles locked in the upright position that the Revolution does not track true. I have to compensate my paddling for a right drift that is consistant with this Kayak even in lakes with no current or rudder, which when down (rudder) makes it almost impossible to paddle.Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated! As you know when paddling through our surf if your not positioned straight into the surf the out come would be a roll over in even 2' to 3' surf much less then what NCKA Kayakers have to deal with on the norm.
Again thanks in advance,
Frankfishing

Best paddling performance will be achived with the pedal system out of the well and the (provided) cassette well plug installed.  The extra drag of the fins in the water up forward can cause the hull to turn to the side while paddling (tracking issue).

Good stuff Matt will try what is suggested and get back to you. You keep posting with us and the Anchovy rating will change shortly. Bravo Matt Bravo...

I'll put any of my malibus up against Your Hobies in rough water anyday. Bring it on! The sports called paddling not peddling!

Pedaling...

I thought the "Sport" is called "Kayaking". If it is confusing or a point of contention... I am happy to consider Hobie Mirage Kayaking as a sport of its own. No problem.