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

Our only conselation was watching Paul get sprayed in the mug through his pedal drive blow-hole which was later named after a few too many Tecates as the "yak-gina".  

As the owner of a 2006 Hobie Outback I'd just like to say that you just made me snort coffee through my nose... 

Oh, and welcome to the forum, Matt!

Know what you mean scwafsh. I did paddle the Quest and liked it a lot. Took it through the surf and got the regular Hobie "wet deck" though. I think the thing is that these yaks are designed in SC so a little spray here and there isn't such a big deal. Since we yak in butt cold waters it's a big deal. IMO the Revolution is a huge step in the right direction. If the Revo could have more rocker and handle a little better as a paddler I would be Hobie FO' LIIIFE!! Right now I kinda crave a real paddlng machine. I'm like totally jacking this thread aren't I..  sorry!

BTW thanks for makng me spit my cereal on my keyboard Sean..  ... Yakgina....
And welcome  Matt!!

Z

To funny Sean. I too have used this area for live bait on occassion and the jumbo's minnows don't slip through the mirage drive when they have slipped out of my hands.
Z when's your final farewell happening?

However when I watched the PALs Adventure in baja on a crap day and it did not fair all that well.  It would spear oncoming swells and wind waves and when we changed directions the stern was swallowed in following seas.  Just not enough rocker.  The result...lots for water in the hull through hatches that simply spent too much time underwater.  Paul had to pump out his boat several times during the day.

 

On the upside I watched PAL make remarkable headway into a ferocious headwind that had me and Chef just trying to hold onto our paddles.  In a gnarly head wind, the Mirage drive will beat anything with a paddle.  Our only conselation was watching Paul get sprayed in the mug through his pedal drive blow-hole which was later named after a few too many Tecates as the "yak-gina". 

How the boat fared is subjective. It was definitely wet, and did in fact take on water. I was actually surprised and delighted by how well the Adventure handled in the rough conditions. On such a day, any kayak will take water over the deck.

Here's another upside to consider. Although the swell was rolling and the water choppy, the Adventure was rock-solid steady with its low to the water stance. In other words, I didn't miss the stability provided by the paddle. Perhaps Matt Miller will comment on whether this is an intentional aspect of the design. And yes, the Adventure handles superbly in the wind.

I weigh 200 lbs and carry a lot of gear. The stern deck of the Adventure doesn't have much freeboard. Drop a full bait tank in there and it will take a lot of water over the top. However, the hull I had on that Baja trip was eventually replaced because it took on an ususual quantity of water.

Re: getting sprayed. The launch was strewn with large head-sized cobbles, so I launched with the Mirage drive out of the slot (you can bet it was leashed!). Of course I didn't bring the insert. As I passed more or less through a cresting wave, a stream of water gushed me right in the face. It was like getting sprayed with a hose. Kinda adds another dimension to the term 'water sport.'

Haha...PAL this is a family site!  Anyhoo I agree, your boat was never in trouble, but at the same time if it had just a hint or rocker, the hatches would have been getting such a douche each direction.  I'm sure they do have to sit lower than "normal" for a SOT as your legs in the air would otherwise have an ill effect on the COG. 

I think the thing is that these yaks are designed in SC so a little spray here and there isn't such a big deal. Since we yak in butt cold waters it's a big deal.

I agree completely.  Water in baja is no biggie, but on a day like yesterday its just plain painful.   
 

To funny Sean. I too have used this area for live bait on occassion and the jumbo's minnows don't slip through the mirage drive when they have slipped out of my hands.
Z when's your final farewell happening?

The move date is the 28th of March. Totally looking forward to Seattle but really bummin' about leaving after I met so many cool people @ NCKA..  I will be back plenty for work and family and will still be a regular on the board jonesin' for Striper, Dino, and Leopard shark pics and stories. BTW, once agan, my NCKA bruddas are always welcome @ the homestead up North.  Mi casa es su casa! 

Z

Z- I go to Seattle occasionally to visit the in-laws.

I'll be sure to connect for fishing when I am up there next.

go out and get it wired, bro.

Allen

Z,

As with SCAllen, my inlaws are in the great north wet (no typo), Yakima.  I will definately think of stopping in to visit/fish next time I am up that way.  Until then, there should still be some good fishing around here.

Certainly stability is a major focus of the Adventures bottom. We are very concerned about initial and secondary stability when designing. The "balance" (Pun intended) between a lower and more stable seat position and being wet is a tough one.

As far are complex molds... yes, very complex. We keep inventing new ways to get features in. Not an easy task. There are so many release pins and negative drafts in some of the molds it is scary!

We have recently completed a small part for limiting the surge up through the yakg... uh...  Drive well. This can be attached to the aft of a drive and (when the drive is in place) keeps water surge into the cockpit to a minimum. Should be available in the next catalog (April'ish). Not much can be done about a wide open well going out through surf though. Better use the provided well plug there. I surfed a Mirage Sport and tried it without the Drive... yep... fire hose!

Hatches. The Hobie twist and seal hatches are as near watertite as possible. Only likely leak is going to be around a poorly sealed flange. Some earlier models may have a small warp in the deck that may require a bit of additional sealant.

Other Leaks. We are continuing to chase after possible water entry points. One of the last is the rudder control line exit points. We are working on seals for those. For now, a small squirt of silicone into the end of the tube has helped some users. If the transom is submerged over and over again... likely water is coming in each time.

Reference, suggested leak test procedure:  http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=1949

The Hobie twist and seal hatches are as near watertite as possible.

I disagree, but I feel the same about similar hatches from Cobra and MK.  On all of these hatches the seal contact area is way too small and in a depression...not a smart design...a feable seal sitting in the bottom of a pool of water.  If the seal was raised above the frame (so gravity was its friend), and over lapped by the lid, and had a wider contact they would all be WAY drier and the lids and hatch would also be more rigid as well.

My revolution hatches leave alot to be desired. I have recently gone to pushing them into place to seat them after having them locked into position. What to do Matt? Any suggestions? Now you have been on this form for as long as I have had this Kayak and I can already see another occassion for swamping with this new and improved hatch system.

You may want to see if the Kunz "Frog Butt" upgrade will work for your Hobie hatches, it worked wonders for his Cobra hatches.

I have recently gone to pushing them into place to seat them after having them locked into position. What to do Matt? Any suggestions?

I am not sure if "scwafish" is familiar with the new Hobie Twist n Seal hatches. These have only been on Hobie product for awhile.



The seal seats into a cylinder. The seal is good regardless if the hatch lid is flat to the flange. The flange has this deep cylinder molded as part of it and makes the flange very stiff. Yes a small amount of water can rest on the seal, but it doesn't get through. That small amount can drip into the hull when opened though. To get the hatches "flush" in the deck, it is difficult to get the seal point higher.

If the lid is not pulled down flat by the screw, the lid will still seal, but this is an indication that the gasket is dry. We use silicone lubricant only on these. Oil based lubricants will damage the "O" Ring seal. If the lid is not flush, a small amount of palm pressure will seat it. It is a cosmetic issue... not a sealing problem.

Next innovation on the new Hobie hatch is the Gear Bucket. This is part of the reason for the deep cylinder on the flange.

I've had no problems with the hatches on my Outback. I few drops here and there is it. Yeah sometimes they stick up a little but it's become part of the routine to give it a push after twisting the handle it shut. BTW the front "toilet seat" hatch is the best on the market IMO.

PS. Da gear bucket looks sah-wheet!

Z