New Mirage Drive! Now with Glide Technology! - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

ful-rac · 02-16-2015, 03:42 PM

So I recently got a chance to test out Roby's new Mirage drive to see what it was all about. To tell you the truth I wasn't sold on the idea until I tried it. I traded my Turbo fins for his regular ST fins for about a mile. Almost instantly I was sold on it. I couldn't believe how much smoother, and easier it was to pedal compared to my old drive. So my mind was made up on the new mirage drive. I visited OEX Sunset beach to see Andy, and opted for a brand new drive instead of the upgrade, now I have a spare drive for those extended trips.

I got the new drive with the blue turbo fins, and what a difference. After using them this weekend, you seem to forget how smooth the drive is working. You switch back to the regular drive....and it's like there are weights connected to the fins it's weird. I speed tested this thing...and I was able to top out the beast of the PA at over 6 knots! I definitely was not able to do that before. Like others that have said it's worth it...I would have to agree. Will the new drive hold up to sand??? Not sure... but in the mean time it is an amazing improvement.

steveooo · 02-16-2015, 04:01 PM

And now back to our regularly scheduled program

I'm sold. Few trips under my belt with my new GT drive, and its clear that its not just marketing hype. OEX SSB demo day coming soon. Paging Dr. Allen...

Iceman · 02-16-2015, 04:17 PM

Tony, glad the GT turbo fins did not disappoint you.

Yes, we have a couple demo days coming up March 1st Sunday before Fred Hall Long Beach and then March 14th Saturday after Fred Hall long Beach

jorluivil · 02-16-2015, 04:19 PM

I tried it
I liked it
I'm going to buy it

when I have the money of course

solyluna · 02-16-2015, 04:26 PM

Andy rebuild my drive on Saturday
Tested it for the first time today and there is a big difference so smooth pushed my pa all day long at the jewel great upgrade

Saba Slayer · 02-16-2015, 04:48 PM

Blue Fins aren't just for Sashimi anymore!
Smooooth...!
Like new drag washers!

rossman · 02-16-2015, 05:15 PM

I've got a hundred bucks for the first ticket for exceeding the speed limit inside the DP harbor on your peddle boats

Lipripper92592 · 02-16-2015, 06:43 PM

I'm sold as well. I did the upgrade, and you definitely notice less effort involved with each kick. Those 14 hour days are going to feel more like 12 now!

Baja_Traveler · 02-16-2015, 06:58 PM

So inquiring minds need to know - what the upgrade cost compared to buying a complete replacement?
We are talking Hobie after all - where nothing comes cheap, but I may want to give my PA14 an easier pedal none-the-less...

YakDout · 02-16-2015, 07:03 PM

That would be a price difference of easily 400 bones

ful-rac · 02-16-2015, 07:07 PM

New Mirage drive is about $600 bucks.

roby · 02-16-2015, 08:41 PM

Go try it at OEX in Sunset Beach and bring your old drive. Compare them side by side and you'll see the difference. If possible, bring a gps unit. You're not going to believe how little effort it takes to maintain cruising speed.

I'm sticking with the ST fins for now. The only drawback I see will be in the surf launches and landing. I typically pedal in and out and try to beat the waves.

I can cruise at 2 mph and not feel any fatigue with the new drive and ST fins; however, it does take a noticeable effort to accelerate quickly (for example, in surf launches). In general, the ST fins have a "harder" time at getting up to 4.5 mph. It's like you have to take a ridiculous amount of strokes to get there (pun not intended).

I'll use the ST fins this year and see if I need turbo fins at all.

makobob · 02-17-2015, 07:54 AM

Tony, the new drive means you can make the trip to San Luis Island at Gonzaga is just about an hour!!! Nice upgrade.

blitzburgh · 02-17-2015, 08:07 AM

Thanks for the info Tony

YakDout · 04-09-2015, 06:00 PM

Definitely get the turbo fins. When I upgraded my 2013 revo from stock to turbo, I was kicking myself for not doing it sooner. It's going to cause a little more resistance with each stroke, but that thing was a rocket after the turbo fins. I almost tried racing the new seaforth once.

FlyFishinYakr · 04-09-2015, 06:24 PM

Thanks for the info Brandon.
I've had the Turbos on my 2013 from the beginning and don't know/remember what it's like to not have them (then again I haven't been out on my Outback since I last went out to "The Lagoon" @ Castaic to dial in the FF back in July of 2013.)
I thought that I might not need them with the improvement to the Drive.
Maybe I'll only upgrade one of the drives (and regret it later, I know!) and borrow from the 2013 unless I decide to sell it. I was just trying to save a little $ (penny save, pound foolish I know).
Appreciate the insight though Brandon.

FFY

ful-rac · 04-09-2015, 09:58 PM

Roby has the new outback + the new drive with the standard st fins...and he likes it, a little bit slower but almost no resistance when pedaling compared to the st turbo fins. Me personally I like to have some resistance there...I tried his turbo fins and I tell ya....it felt like pedaling masts with no fins! They will get you moving though, you just have to have a faster cadence.

farmer · 04-10-2015, 08:09 AM

Thanks for your report Tony very good and detailed. Missed it the first time it was posted. Will be giving Andy a call Thanks again.

YakDout · 04-10-2015, 04:37 PM

Hey Sven, lip ripper posted a pretty good tutorial for replacing the parts. One thing I can say when installing is Very careful to not let every needle in the bearings to fall out when pushing it. But if they do, and they might, add a bunch of marine grease to keep them stuck on the outside of the hole.

svendawg · 04-10-2015, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YakDout

Hey Sven, lip ripper posted a pretty good tutorial for replacing the parts. One thing I can say when installing is Very careful to not let every needle in the bearings to fall out when pushing it. But if they do, and they might, add a bunch of marine grease to keep them stuck on the outside of the hole.

I printed out lip rippers instructions. I will be referring to it during the upgrade

02-16-2015, 03:42 PM	#1
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	New Mirage Drive! Now with Glide Technology! So I recently got a chance to test out Roby's new Mirage drive to see what it was all about. To tell you the truth I wasn't sold on the idea until I tried it. I traded my Turbo fins for his regular ST fins for about a mile. Almost instantly I was sold on it. I couldn't believe how much smoother, and easier it was to pedal compared to my old drive. So my mind was made up on the new mirage drive. I visited OEX Sunset beach to see Andy, and opted for a brand new drive instead of the upgrade, now I have a spare drive for those extended trips. I got the new drive with the blue turbo fins, and what a difference. After using them this weekend, you seem to forget how smooth the drive is working. You switch back to the regular drive....and it's like there are weights connected to the fins it's weird. I speed tested this thing...and I was able to top out the beast of the PA at over 6 knots! I definitely was not able to do that before. Like others that have said it's worth it...I would have to agree. Will the new drive hold up to sand??? Not sure... but in the mean time it is an amazing improvement. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

02-16-2015, 04:17 PM	#3
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	Tony, glad the GT turbo fins did not disappoint you. Yes, we have a couple demo days coming up March 1st Sunday before Fred Hall Long Beach and then March 14th Saturday after Fred Hall long Beach __________________

02-16-2015, 04:19 PM	#4
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	I tried it I liked it I'm going to buy it when I have the money of course __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

02-16-2015, 04:48 PM	#6
Saba Slayer Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palos Verdes Posts: 1,857	Blue Fins Blue Fins aren't just for Sashimi anymore! Smooooth...! Like new drag washers! __________________ Jim / Saba Slayer

02-16-2015, 05:15 PM	#7
rossman Marginally Irrelevant Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bahia Asuncion Posts: 936	I've got a hundred bucks for the first ticket for exceeding the speed limit inside the DP harbor on your peddle boats __________________ "When beholding the tranquil beauty and brilliancy of the ocean’s skin, one forgets the tiger heart that pants beneath it; and would not willingly remember that this velvet paw but conceals a remorseless fang. " — Herman Melville Y'all come see me now, hear!

02-16-2015, 04:01 PM	#2
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	And now back to our regularly scheduled program I'm sold. Few trips under my belt with my new GT drive, and its clear that its not just marketing hype. OEX SSB demo day coming soon. Paging Dr. Allen...

02-16-2015, 04:26 PM	#5
solyluna Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 73	Andy rebuild my drive on Saturday Tested it for the first time today and there is a big difference so smooth pushed my pa all day long at the jewel great upgrade

02-16-2015, 06:43 PM	#8
Lipripper92592 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 516	I'm sold as well. I did the upgrade, and you definitely notice less effort involved with each kick. Those 14 hour days are going to feel more like 12 now!

02-16-2015, 06:58 PM	#9
Baja_Traveler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Table 17, Bay Park Fish Co. Posts: 943	So inquiring minds need to know - what the upgrade cost compared to buying a complete replacement? We are talking Hobie after all - where nothing comes cheap, but I may want to give my PA14 an easier pedal none-the-less...

02-16-2015, 07:03 PM	#10
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	That would be a price difference of easily 400 bones

02-16-2015, 07:07 PM	#11
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	New Mirage drive is about $600 bucks. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

02-16-2015, 08:41 PM	#12
roby CEO of Team Roby Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 905	Go try it at OEX in Sunset Beach and bring your old drive. Compare them side by side and you'll see the difference. If possible, bring a gps unit. You're not going to believe how little effort it takes to maintain cruising speed. I'm sticking with the ST fins for now. The only drawback I see will be in the surf launches and landing. I typically pedal in and out and try to beat the waves. I can cruise at 2 mph and not feel any fatigue with the new drive and ST fins; however, it does take a noticeable effort to accelerate quickly (for example, in surf launches). In general, the ST fins have a "harder" time at getting up to 4.5 mph. It's like you have to take a ridiculous amount of strokes to get there (pun not intended). I'll use the ST fins this year and see if I need turbo fins at all.

02-17-2015, 07:54 AM	#13
makobob Baitless on Baja Join Date: May 2013 Location: Vista California, Gonzaga, San Quintin, Asuncion, Mag Bay Posts: 4,250	Tony, the new drive means you can make the trip to San Luis Island at Gonzaga is just about an hour!!! Nice upgrade. __________________ http://www.mako-ville.com Home 760-630-4470 Cell 760-520-2514 YES YOU CAN

02-17-2015, 08:07 AM	#14
blitzburgh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Menifee Posts: 2,509	Thanks for the info Tony __________________ ”The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.” ~Thomas Jefferson.........maybe

04-09-2015, 06:00 PM	#15
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	Definitely get the turbo fins. When I upgraded my 2013 revo from stock to turbo, I was kicking myself for not doing it sooner. It's going to cause a little more resistance with each stroke, but that thing was a rocket after the turbo fins. I almost tried racing the new seaforth once.

04-09-2015, 06:24 PM	#16
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	Thanks for the info Brandon. I've had the Turbos on my 2013 from the beginning and don't know/remember what it's like to not have them (then again I haven't been out on my Outback since I last went out to "The Lagoon" @ Castaic to dial in the FF back in July of 2013.) I thought that I might not need them with the improvement to the Drive. Maybe I'll only upgrade one of the drives (and regret it later, I know!) and borrow from the 2013 unless I decide to sell it. I was just trying to save a little $ (penny save, pound foolish I know). Appreciate the insight though Brandon. FFY

04-09-2015, 09:58 PM	#17
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Roby has the new outback + the new drive with the standard st fins...and he likes it, a little bit slower but almost no resistance when pedaling compared to the st turbo fins. Me personally I like to have some resistance there...I tried his turbo fins and I tell ya....it felt like pedaling masts with no fins! They will get you moving though, you just have to have a faster cadence. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

04-10-2015, 08:09 AM	#18
farmer Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Torrance Posts: 63	New Drive Thanks for your report Tony very good and detailed. Missed it the first time it was posted. Will be giving Andy a call Thanks again.

04-10-2015, 04:37 PM	#19
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	Hey Sven, lip ripper posted a pretty good tutorial for replacing the parts. One thing I can say when installing is Very careful to not let every needle in the bearings to fall out when pushing it. But if they do, and they might, add a bunch of marine grease to keep them stuck on the outside of the hole.