Hobie Mirage Drive Glide Technology - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Rambo · 08-07-2014, 10:24 PM

What's your 2cent on this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWZKEbaR68w

5 bearings added
This will improve momentum and take the tension off the knees from what I see.

Redesign Fins? or Just color added?
I did some photo shop image overlay and it does appear to have a slight increase in the angle to the fins.

flemdogg · 08-08-2014, 06:40 AM

From what I understand those are ST fins, which will be standard on all 2015 hobie mirage kayaks. The turbo fins are even larger than ST fins. More propulsion with slightly more effort.

ful-rac · 08-08-2014, 06:46 AM

bearings + sand = FAIL

wiredantz · 08-08-2014, 07:18 AM

no doubt that many of you guys will put it through the test of time to see if this new upgraded* drives prove more efficient.

oneyedeer · 08-08-2014, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

bearings + sand = FAIL

Probably have to replace them at least once a season
Think I will open up my mirage drive tuning business!

crazywakeboarder · 08-08-2014, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

bearings + sand = FAIL

They should be sealed bearings

blitzburgh · 08-08-2014, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazywakeboarder

They should be sealed bearings

Agreed. Hobie has a pretty solid track record of R&D so my guess is they beat these things up good before production.

FlyFishinYakr · 08-08-2014, 01:31 PM

I plan on keeping on hand a bulk pack of WD-40

from Costco for cleaning after a thorough washdown then a good shot of Corrosion-X to complete the daily service.

Maybe a little overkill, however that's how I learned to service anything with ball bearings (from all my reels to especially all the rollers on my bait/trolling rods!) that's why I've never had a

seize/failure or had to replace any of them!

FFY

crazywakeboarder · 08-08-2014, 12:28 PM

I wonder if theyre actually better or if its a marketing move. I feel all the resistance is in the stroke (action of pushing the water and creating forward motion) and not in the drive itself. If you take a drive and move it back and forth in the air, theyre very smooth so I dont see how bearings are going to cut down on resistance

I hope a dealer will have the new and old drive rigged in the stand side by side to showcase the difference if any

Bert Vega · 08-08-2014, 12:48 PM

I just hope they make them a little stronger. The part I last broke seemed to be very poor casting.

straightrod · 08-08-2014, 12:49 PM

^ Those are my thought also. Can't see just yet, how the resistance of the water will be changed.

Iceman · 08-08-2014, 01:19 PM

Quote:

so I dont see how bearings are going to cut down on resistance

Currently a greased "bushing" VS a rolling ball surface + less resistance and less wear.

Not sealed bearings, they are nylon similar to furling for sails

momo fish · 08-09-2014, 11:47 AM

Not metal ball bearings but some space grade plastic bearings that won't rust. That solves that issue. Every gray part has this new plastic bearings which result in 10% improvement.

Thinking about it more with a new drive and new seat the price increase is not so bad. Plus new improved paddle!

08-08-2014, 06:40 AM	#2
flemdogg Island Blood Join Date: May 2013 Location: Murrieta Posts: 237	From what I understand those are ST fins, which will be standard on all 2015 hobie mirage kayaks. The turbo fins are even larger than ST fins. More propulsion with slightly more effort. __________________ These are my express opinions derived from my experiences - I know less than most and half as much as some!

08-08-2014, 06:46 AM	#3
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	bearings + sand = FAIL __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

08-08-2014, 07:18 AM	#4
wiredantz Currently @ MLO Territory Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Under the Shadow Posts: 2,290	no doubt that many of you guys will put it through the test of time to see if this new upgraded* drives prove more efficient. __________________ Team: Disbanded You only have one chance in this life...make the right decision(s)...so you don't regret it

08-08-2014, 01:31 PM	#8
FlyFishinYakr Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Nor Cal...30 min from Bodega/Tomales Bay, 1hr from Clear Lake, 2+ hr to Berryessa & the Delta Posts: 729	I plan on keeping on hand a bulk pack of WD-40 from Costco for cleaning after a thorough washdown then a good shot of Corrosion-X to complete the daily service. Maybe a little overkill, however that's how I learned to service anything with ball bearings (from all my reels to especially all the rollers on my bait/trolling rods!) that's why I've never had a seize/failure or had to replace any of them! FFY

08-08-2014, 12:28 PM	#9
crazywakeboarder Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: yorba linda Posts: 120	I wonder if theyre actually better or if its a marketing move. I feel all the resistance is in the stroke (action of pushing the water and creating forward motion) and not in the drive itself. If you take a drive and move it back and forth in the air, theyre very smooth so I dont see how bearings are going to cut down on resistance I hope a dealer will have the new and old drive rigged in the stand side by side to showcase the difference if any

08-08-2014, 12:48 PM	#10
Bert Vega Tail Chaser! Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Murrieta Posts: 627	I just hope they make them a little stronger. The part I last broke seemed to be very poor casting.

08-08-2014, 12:49 PM	#11
straightrod Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 48	^ Those are my thought also. Can't see just yet, how the resistance of the water will be changed.

08-09-2014, 11:47 AM	#13
momo fish Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Camarillo Posts: 1,491	Not metal ball bearings but some space grade plastic bearings that won't rust. That solves that issue. Every gray part has this new plastic bearings which result in 10% improvement. Thinking about it more with a new drive and new seat the price increase is not so bad. Plus new improved paddle!