Nice write-up and critters Tony!

This was vs a REVO 13....... not the 16.

So Hobie has been selling "turbo" fin upgrades for years. But these odd looking strait fins are just as fast. And the Hobie kayaks were fine w/o reverse until several competitors came out with reversal peddle drives.
Mike

You obviously don't fish because if you did then you would see many reasons to use reverse like if the wind is pushing you towards weeds or a rock or dock. Before you would have to get the paddle out- now you just flip it in reverse. There's so many incidences where reverse is very helpful. If you have the wind at your back and you want to do a slow drift or stay in one spot- REVERSE
I use it all the time, I like it

I get his point though.

It is almost like Apple. They are leaders in their market and are obviously aware of all advancements. But they need to keep changes small so every year they have something to entice buyers to upgrade. Everyone has been asking for reverse and a skeg for years. Why did they add them in separate years?

I am happy to have got into it with reverse and vantage seat. More than likely though I will be pissed next year for the 2018 model to have something that they could've added for 2017....

You don't invent something and throw it on the market the next day. It takes years and years of R&D and then you have to test it over and over before releasing a new product. For instance when you se a new model car- that was 10+ years prior of R&D and testing before it's released. Reverse drive is no different. Takes a lot of time. A bike pedal with a chain or belt drive to a propeller is not rocket science. Mirage drive is a lot more complex and unique.

Mikes too nice of a guy to comment back. He's been yak finishing LJ for almost 20 years. The roof on his car is almost completely rusted threw because of the amounts of days he puts int. I been in the riper currents and wind with him. Mikes one of the best guys out there.

Right. How much extra speed did the new OB have over the previous year model Revo?

I didn't notice any extra speed on the PA, as compared to the GT drive. Both are pretty smooth...I'll pay more attention on the next trip.

Hey you Hobie guys can do J turns now. Cause donuts are sooo 2015. :p

Thanks Bob-
I get it now...having the option to go in reverse makes sense.
I can see the benefits. :cool:

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
 

O.K. GUYS HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE:paddleersmilie:FOR THE NEW DRIVE

RETAIL should be about $750.00 YOU did change that name to PEDDLE MAN right?????

[QUOTE=makobob;270756]RETAIL should be about $750.00 YOU did change that name to PEDDLE MAN right?????[/QUOT


NOT YET BUT WILL THANKS BOB FOR PRICEING:)

I'm an industrial designer and he is correct. Companies are not holding back on things to screw the customer, it's a matter of development time and resource implementation. For example building an injection molding tool of moderate complexity takes about 6-10 weeks, followed by sampling usually 2 weeks to dial the tool in, followed by any needed redesign a week usually, then tooling rework 2-4 weeks then at least 6 months of field, UV, cycle and materials testing each of which can yield another design change and start the whole cycle over again. Then you have to schedule production and assemble. Now imagine this for every single new component of any product and things can still fail in unusual usage or with poor maintenance. Then the current and old products have to be serviced and maintained by the engineering team so they don't have as much time to develop new product.
Just a quick glimpse into how it works and that doesn't even include the concept, design, prototype and approval phases which can be significantly longer than the build phase.

does not justify the price .
 

if you ain't catching. :biggrinjester: . don't worry Stan, we gonna turn these Sewer boys inside out this weekend. :wsb:.:sifone:.

good share Tony.
 

:cheers1:

DREAM BIG, then go out and make it happen.

Amen
 

:luxhello:. one day i will catch a 65 lb tanker, but since it has been awhile since the sweet white flesh has rolled off my tongue, a barely legal will be sufficient. this weekend i am gonna make it happen.

So 20 years of kayak fishing and he has never needed to back up? lol I've only been kayak fishing for 2 weeks and I already saw the need right away. It just seemed an arrogant response from him..... at least that's how I read it.