Mirage Drive Tension - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

NICKWORN · 07-26-2018, 03:09 PM

So i have played around with the different tension levels on the drive and think I'm preferring them snug to the top. It seems to have less drag and a lot easier on my legs for long trips. Short strokes work great at this setting.

However with the tension bolt almost completely down I got a ton more speed ( not really worried about that) but seems to tire my legs out a lot quicker. And smaller strokes weren't as effective as long strokes-no homo

Whats everyone's thoughts?

Is getting so close I can smell the butter melting

WestFork · 07-26-2018, 03:30 PM

Interesting! Not to beat on the obvious, but if you're going faster you must be putting in more effort. So, your legs should feel tired quicker. Don't have the drive available right now and haven't tried changing tension. It does make me wonder whether you have changed the length of the swing arc of the fins.

FISH11 · 07-26-2018, 08:17 PM

I also have over the last 2 years tried tightening the adjustmet so the turbo fins are tighter and have less flex. That position give my Revo more top speed, but short or long strokes don't matter, it's the extra effort on the legs. You don't feel it at first but after some time, sometimes it's 3 or more hours later, I start to feel a quad or calf muscle. I have had it happen to were I now find a happy medium that won't give me any muscle pain or cramp. That would be the last thing I would want, if there are 3 or more miles to get back to the launch at LJ.

YakDout · 07-26-2018, 08:47 PM

I run mine in the middle. Just a tad on the tight side.

Iceman · 07-27-2018, 04:48 PM

As of early last year this feature is not a factor any more as there is no fin tension adjustment except on the very first run of the MD180.

https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtop...ing+turbo+fins

07-26-2018, 03:09 PM	#1
NICKWORN Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: SANTUCKET Posts: 629	Mirage Drive Tension So i have played around with the different tension levels on the drive and think I'm preferring them snug to the top. It seems to have less drag and a lot easier on my legs for long trips. Short strokes work great at this setting. However with the tension bolt almost completely down I got a ton more speed ( not really worried about that) but seems to tire my legs out a lot quicker. And smaller strokes weren't as effective as long strokes-no homo Whats everyone's thoughts? Is getting so close I can smell the butter melting

07-26-2018, 08:17 PM	#3
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	I also have over the last 2 years tried tightening the adjustmet so the turbo fins are tighter and have less flex. That position give my Revo more top speed, but short or long strokes don't matter, it's the extra effort on the legs. You don't feel it at first but after some time, sometimes it's 3 or more hours later, I start to feel a quad or calf muscle. I have had it happen to were I now find a happy medium that won't give me any muscle pain or cramp. That would be the last thing I would want, if there are 3 or more miles to get back to the launch at LJ. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

07-27-2018, 04:48 PM	#5
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	As of early last year this feature is not a factor any more as there is no fin tension adjustment except on the very first run of the MD180. https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtop...ing+turbo+fins __________________

07-26-2018, 03:30 PM	#2
WestFork Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Utah Posts: 46	Interesting! Not to beat on the obvious, but if you're going faster you must be putting in more effort. So, your legs should feel tired quicker. Don't have the drive available right now and haven't tried changing tension. It does make me wonder whether you have changed the length of the swing arc of the fins.

07-26-2018, 08:47 PM	#4
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	I run mine in the middle. Just a tad on the tight side.