Silly but serious DIY question
 

I am assuming this is near impossible to do, but I wanted to ask it anyway, because my 10 year old daughter posed it to me.

I have a future beach kayak, of the run of the mill paddle variety. I was telling her that I really wanted a Hobie because of the mirage drive. Well, she knows I'm an engineer and have done numerous DIY projects, and asked me why I can't just cut a hole in my current yak and install the drive?

I'm sure people have considered this, but does anyone know if it has been done? I haven't really looked at the geometry in a Hobie with Mirage drive kayak and am assuming the mold gets really narrow and thick in the area where you mount it.

Given our ability to plastic weld and cut holes, how feasible would this be in a regular kayak?

Not only the kayak you have is not design for the stress of the drive, but the $500 price of a drive alone means it is not worth the time to even try, as compared to buying even a older used Hobie.

I didn't know the drive was $500. I thought it was $300 at which point ROI is still worth it. I paid $300 for the yak and was assuming another $300 would bring me to $600, plus labor. to me that was still worth avoiding buying a used hobie at $1500 which I was thinking is cheap for a used one with mirage drive.

thanks guys!

You could do this....

Anything is possible!

http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-conte...per-bike-6.jpg

DIY Mirage Drive Mount
 

Take a look at this guy. Its alot of work but he made it work.

Article has been mention several times probably.

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/r/projects/mirage/

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/...l01_mod_sm.jpg

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/.../Dell03_sm.jpg

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/.../Dell04_sm.jpg

Talk to DEFJACK he has one he did with the hobie drive that works just fine.

You beat me to it. I was gonna say that there is at least one guy around with a wooden yak that has done it. Have seen it in the bay at least a few times.

Unless you already have a rudder installed, don't forget about running all the rigging and installing steering.

Mine is wood I would not do this with a plastic kayak.

Definitely its an engineering challenge but if your doing this to show case your engineering skills then its a great learning curve. If your doing this mirage drive retro fit into some other plastic kayak, it'll end up costing more than a used Hobie. Lets look at the price break down.

Used Hobie mirage $300 to $400
Hobie Click and Go Assembly (L/R) $ 100
Screws and Hardware to hold Quick Release $5
Marine Goop to seal $5
That already between $400 to $500. If someone donated a mirage drive to your project it'll be more worth while.

Any plan is feasible, but how big of an investment into R&D do you wanna spend. "Don't reinvent the wheel, improve it....!"

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I believe you are all correct in stating that this may not be worth it from a money standpoint. Now if any of you know of anyone who can DONATE a mirage drive, let me know haha. I'm up for any challenge so long as the cost won't outweigh the hassle. I KNOW I can make the retrofit no problem, but like you guys have stated, it'll cost the same if not more than a used setup.