Pelican 130 with Mirage drive? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

calwaterbear · 03-06-2019, 12:27 PM

I did a search, can't seem to find anything on it, but i'm sure it was discussed into oblivion in previous days.

I just became aware of the pelican 130 with their version of the Mirage drive - i guess the patent expired on Hobie. Anyway, it seems like a heck of a deal for 1500 bucks. I am seeing some concern over no reverse, but i see others saying reverse just ended up being a maintenance issue for them?

any feedback there,

and please, one more time for us neophyte ignoramuses, can you tell me how prop vrs "flapper" drives compare, speed, durability, etc? (I am seeing prop drives for 1300 bucks) .

Dingokevin · 03-06-2019, 03:03 PM

https://www.pelicansport.com/us_en/t...ch-130-hydryve

Sent from my LG-H932 using Tapatalk

Iceman · 03-06-2019, 04:55 PM

First off let me say that I sell Hobie Kayaks. The biggest seller of these looks to be Dicks Sporting goods. There is a reason that Hobie will not sell their kayaks in the big box stores and that is customer service, at the time of sale and after.

calwaterbear · 03-06-2019, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman

First off let me say that I sell Hobie Kayaks. The biggest seller of these looks to be Dicks Sporting goods. There is a reason that Hobie will not sell their kayaks in the big box stores and that is customer service, at the time of sale and after.

I understand that, just from my point of view, how much customer support is worth the 1500 dollar difference - it better be a whole lot.

I have no experience with Hobie customer support, I'm sure its great. so when someone breaks their drive 3 years into it - is it repaired or replaced for free? or will it cost me?

- I can buy 2 complete boats for the price of 1 Hobie. seems like a great way for a beginner to get into a peddle Kayak for reasonable money. But I'm sure they wont hold their value like the Hobies do!

goldenglory18 · 03-07-2019, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calwaterbear

I understand that, just from my point of view, how much customer support is worth the 1500 dollar difference - it better be a whole lot.

Andy and the other guys at OEX are the absolute best. Both myself and many others on this forum can speak personally to his level of service.

"You get what you pay for" isn't a saying just mad up out of thin air, and it goes doubly for kayaks...

Iceman · 03-07-2019, 10:08 AM

Quote:

I understand that, just from my point of view, how much customer support is worth the 1500 dollar difference - it better be a whole lot.

I have no experience with Hobie customer support, I'm sure its great. so when someone breaks their drive 3 years into it - is it repaired or replaced for free? or will it cost me?

- I can buy 2 complete boats for the price of 1 Hobie. seems like a great way for a beginner to get into a peddle Kayak for reasonable money. But I'm sure they wont hold their value like the Hobies do!

Well, I don't think you can compare this kayaks features to the Outback for your $1500 difference. like comparing a base model to a special edition.

Before you buy one, find out where the heck you buy replacement parts............break a chain or pulley.....or just have a little squeak you cant figure out. Anyone brings me one of these and I will happily work on them, but it will be charging a convenience fee.

deptrai · 03-09-2019, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calwaterbear

so when someone breaks their drive 3 years into it - is it repaired or replaced for free? or will it cost me?

3 years = yes. 3 years +1 day = no.

https://www.hobie.com/warranty/

jorluivil · 03-09-2019, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calwaterbear

I understand that, just from my point of view, how much customer support is worth the 1500 dollar difference - it better be a whole lot.

I went from a very used OK Prowler Big Game to an Outback to a PA14, both Hobie kayaks were purchased from Andy/OEX. I can assure you that the extra money you pay will not seem like a lot the first time you have an issue.

When your shit breaks you can either deal with a 22-year old college student that doesn't know shit about kayaks and probably won't be working there two months from now or you can deal with a someone who not only owns a very well respected kayak shop but is an avid kayak fisherman and is local.

This is America so the choice is yours, we're just here to share our experiences

jbl_91762 · 03-09-2019, 01:36 PM

What if the OP dont have the $$$ for OEX??? Like someone mentioned, Get a used Hobie Outback for around the same price. Now as far as peddle drive system, last I test drove them they were not smooth as you would think your peddling a bicycle. There is a weird lag on each stroke, but maybe they fixed it. The Mirage drive is butter smooth, also keep in mind if your fishing the harbors, a tight steering yak is awesome and that can be had with changing the rudder on the outback. That Pelican probably steers ok, but I also note there are no sealed dry hatch compartments which I feel is necessary. Good luck and buy what you can afford and go fishing!

03-06-2019, 12:27 PM	#1
calwaterbear Junior Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 11	Pelican 130 with Mirage drive? I did a search, can't seem to find anything on it, but i'm sure it was discussed into oblivion in previous days. I just became aware of the pelican 130 with their version of the Mirage drive - i guess the patent expired on Hobie. Anyway, it seems like a heck of a deal for 1500 bucks. I am seeing some concern over no reverse, but i see others saying reverse just ended up being a maintenance issue for them? any feedback there, and please, one more time for us neophyte ignoramuses, can you tell me how prop vrs "flapper" drives compare, speed, durability, etc? (I am seeing prop drives for 1300 bucks) .

03-06-2019, 04:55 PM	#3
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	First off let me say that I sell Hobie Kayaks. The biggest seller of these looks to be Dicks Sporting goods. There is a reason that Hobie will not sell their kayaks in the big box stores and that is customer service, at the time of sale and after. __________________

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03-06-2019, 03:03 PM	#2
Dingokevin Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: San Diego Posts: 267	https://www.pelicansport.com/us_en/t...ch-130-hydryve Sent from my LG-H932 using Tapatalk

03-09-2019, 01:36 PM	#9
jbl_91762 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 347	What if the OP dont have the $$$ for OEX??? Like someone mentioned, Get a used Hobie Outback for around the same price. Now as far as peddle drive system, last I test drove them they were not smooth as you would think your peddling a bicycle. There is a weird lag on each stroke, but maybe they fixed it. The Mirage drive is butter smooth, also keep in mind if your fishing the harbors, a tight steering yak is awesome and that can be had with changing the rudder on the outback. That Pelican probably steers ok, but I also note there are no sealed dry hatch compartments which I feel is necessary. Good luck and buy what you can afford and go fishing!