Hobie launch question. - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

fisheds · 07-31-2012, 04:11 PM

Mirage Drive question: Paddle out through the surf, then drop in the mirage drive? Or drop in the mirage drive before launch, and peddle out?

I have fished LJ about 10-15 times and have always put the mirage drive in before launch. I usually wade out to about few feet deep, jump in, drop the rudder and peddle power through the waves. Not always the smoothest of launches, but hasn't failed me until last outing. Did the usual, but after I jumped in and began to peddle, the fin snagged the bottom, got turned a bit sideways and was cooled off before I ever heated up

. Everything was strapped down, but did lose a pair of prescription Oakleys, the water inlet tube for my bait tank and a bit of pride. Do those with mirage drives paddle out through the surf then drop their drive in, or peddle out?

Hellboy1500 · 07-31-2012, 05:18 PM

Myself and my wife have done both, I have a PA 14 and she has an outback. I have found it a lot easier and safer for myself to put the peddles in and wade out far enough to try and not have that happen. I definately worry about it each time i do it though. I already have my rudder down so i don't have to worry about it and i dont even worry about sliding my feet into the strirrups. This last time i got pumled by two waves crashing right down on the front and just kept peddling and i was fine. My wife cheated and had me push her out and then she peddle and she was fine. Its another story for her coming in as you can see on the post she had to change her name to scaredycat. all in all i found it easier to have the peddles in. Risky yes but worth the risk

blitzburgh · 07-31-2012, 07:23 PM

Peddle.....always. Especially in the PA.

mtnbykr2 · 07-31-2012, 07:37 PM

On a PA I agree I think, though I have never surf launched a PA yet, but on the Outback, I have always paddled out and in, then dropped the gear,
but I would like to try it with no equipment and check it out, I threatened in the winter to go surfing in the summer, but here it is August and if I am in the yak, I ain't playin in the surf...lol

Mongo Johnson · 08-01-2012, 06:37 AM

"Sometimes you're the windshield. Sometimes you are the bug. Sometimes you're the Louisville Slugger, sometimes you are the ball . . ."

How many yakkers take the time to time to chill and study the wave set cycle and pick a long lull to get out?

How many watch for bit, think "What the heck" and just go in the next lull they see?

Kahouna · 08-01-2012, 09:40 AM

For me, I put the peddles in when it's deep enough. I leave the rudder up and paddle/peddle until I am in the clear. When I get far enough out, I drop the rudder and start putting things in order as I start the peddle out. Having the rudder up and paddling, I get to keep things straight plus I get the keck outta dodge a little faster.

I try to time the sets, but things can run together and/or I just say screw it and go like hell.

hemimike · 08-01-2012, 08:41 PM

I have a revo and a outback and I always put my peddles in and rudder down after clearing the surf zone.

jorluivil · 08-01-2012, 10:59 PM

I usually launch with my rudder out, as soon as the water is deep enough I pop the drive in and use that and my paddle to get past the waves. Most Hobies are HORRIBLE at tracking and will turn on a dime if the sets are coming in sideways and at short intervals.

dwntwnall4u · 08-02-2012, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorluivil

Most Hobies are HORRIBLE at tracking and will turn on a dime if the sets are coming in sideways and at short intervals.

I can agree with that. Especially in my Revo 11, It's terrible paddling. I've been trying to paddle thru the surf then drop in the mirage drive and rudder down.

jorluivil · 08-02-2012, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorluivil

I usually launch with my rudder out, as soon as the water is deep enough I pop the drive in and use that and my paddle to get past the waves. Most Hobies are HORRIBLE at tracking and will turn on a dime if the sets are coming in sideways and at short intervals.

meant to say....."usually launch with my drive out"

roadx · 08-02-2012, 05:59 AM

outback and now pa12 peddle out peddle in.

Mongo Johnson · 08-02-2012, 06:32 AM

Is anyone an advocate of having the drive IN, but clipped up, with flippers racked against the hull? Seems it might be more secure and more easy to get into action. As an alternative to being fully out?

I've launched with mine OUT with rudder up and on coming in, I've clipped the flippers up, and lift the rudder for sure.

Maybe just personal preference. Either way, I leash the drive.

Pocoloco · 08-02-2012, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadx

outback and now pa12 peddle out peddle in.

X2

07-31-2012, 04:11 PM	#1
fisheds Junior Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3	Hobie launch question. Mirage Drive question: Paddle out through the surf, then drop in the mirage drive? Or drop in the mirage drive before launch, and peddle out? I have fished LJ about 10-15 times and have always put the mirage drive in before launch. I usually wade out to about few feet deep, jump in, drop the rudder and peddle power through the waves. Not always the smoothest of launches, but hasn't failed me until last outing. Did the usual, but after I jumped in and began to peddle, the fin snagged the bottom, got turned a bit sideways and was cooled off before I ever heated up. Everything was strapped down, but did lose a pair of prescription Oakleys, the water inlet tube for my bait tank and a bit of pride. Do those with mirage drives paddle out through the surf then drop their drive in, or peddle out?

07-31-2012, 07:23 PM	#3
blitzburgh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Menifee Posts: 2,509	Peddle.....always. Especially in the PA. __________________ ”The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” ~Thomas Jefferson.........maybe

07-31-2012, 07:37 PM	#4
mtnbykr2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: newbury park ca Posts: 2,323	On a PA I agree I think, though I have never surf launched a PA yet, but on the Outback, I have always paddled out and in, then dropped the gear, but I would like to try it with no equipment and check it out, I threatened in the winter to go surfing in the summer, but here it is August and if I am in the yak, I ain't playin in the surf...lol __________________

08-01-2012, 06:37 AM	#5
Mongo Johnson Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Long Beach Posts: 192	"Sometimes you're the windshield. Sometimes you are the bug. Sometimes you're the Louisville Slugger, sometimes you are the ball . . ." How many yakkers take the time to time to chill and study the wave set cycle and pick a long lull to get out? How many watch for bit, think "What the heck" and just go in the next lull they see? __________________ A day on the water . . . priceless.

08-01-2012, 10:59 PM	#8
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	I usually launch with my rudder out, as soon as the water is deep enough I pop the drive in and use that and my paddle to get past the waves. Most Hobies are HORRIBLE at tracking and will turn on a dime if the sets are coming in sideways and at short intervals. __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

07-31-2012, 05:18 PM	#2
Hellboy1500 Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: El Cajon, CA Posts: 41	Myself and my wife have done both, I have a PA 14 and she has an outback. I have found it a lot easier and safer for myself to put the peddles in and wade out far enough to try and not have that happen. I definately worry about it each time i do it though. I already have my rudder down so i don't have to worry about it and i dont even worry about sliding my feet into the strirrups. This last time i got pumled by two waves crashing right down on the front and just kept peddling and i was fine. My wife cheated and had me push her out and then she peddle and she was fine. Its another story for her coming in as you can see on the post she had to change her name to scaredycat. all in all i found it easier to have the peddles in. Risky yes but worth the risk

08-01-2012, 09:40 AM	#6
Kahouna Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 108	For me, I put the peddles in when it's deep enough. I leave the rudder up and paddle/peddle until I am in the clear. When I get far enough out, I drop the rudder and start putting things in order as I start the peddle out. Having the rudder up and paddling, I get to keep things straight plus I get the keck outta dodge a little faster. I try to time the sets, but things can run together and/or I just say screw it and go like hell.

08-01-2012, 08:41 PM	#7
hemimike Junior Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: SLO Ca. Posts: 18	I have a revo and a outback and I always put my peddles in and rudder down after clearing the surf zone.

08-02-2012, 05:59 AM	#11
roadx . Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,155	outback and now pa12 peddle out peddle in. __________________

08-02-2012, 06:32 AM	#12
Mongo Johnson Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Long Beach Posts: 192	Is anyone an advocate of having the drive IN, but clipped up, with flippers racked against the hull? Seems it might be more secure and more easy to get into action. As an alternative to being fully out? I've launched with mine OUT with rudder up and on coming in, I've clipped the flippers up, and lift the rudder for sure. Maybe just personal preference. Either way, I leash the drive. __________________ A day on the water . . . priceless.