Hobie E-Volve ??? Looking to Buy

[dsafety]

We seem to have two conversations going on here. I will comment on the age and fitness angle. I would bet that the tingling you have has something to do with the way you are sitting in the yak. If the legs still work and from the way you describe yourself, they must, I would try to find sitting position that does not put pressure on the nerve or blood vessel that is causing the problem. Try a different seat. Raise the seat a bit so your legs are at a different angle. You might even try some exotic treatments such as acupuncture.

As one the the more senior guys out there, (I will be 60 in a couple weeks), I can say that a full day on the water wears me out. The knees ache and the muscles burn. On the other hand, it is activities such as this that keep me from feeling my age most of the time.

I don't know anyone that has the E-volve but there are a couple of guys on this forum, Morgan, (Roosta) and Chris (Hypoxic), who have the stern mounted version. From what I have heard, they love them, especially for the long trips to and from the grounds. Personally, I would rather have the exercise and ward off the pain with a nice bottle of wine later on.

Bob

[Riskey Water]

Hey DSafety ,thanks but I should have been more specific on the tingle in my leg ,its right on the the area of bone fracture , a spiral fracture of the lower tibia that didnt heal exactly straight ,3" above the ankle

[dsafety]

Originally Posted by Riskey Water

Hey DSafety ,thanks but I should have been more specific on the tingle in my leg ,its right on the the area of bone fracture , a spiral fracture of the lower tibia that didnt heal exactly straight ,3" above the ankle

I don't have a fix for that... except for maybe the wine.

Bob

[bubblehide]

Risky, I got injured pretty bad a few short years ago. I took a short break off of yaking (amongst other things), and slowly started getting back into it; I discovered that it was a bit early for me to be out there yaking. I went through times when both my legs would go numb and upon landing, I couldn't use my legs for a minute or two; luckly for me, I wasn't alone, and I always let the person(s) I was with know that I would be needing some assistance upon landing. I got that weird tingling feeling as I began to gain use of my legs again, it would subside after a while. After several months of that, I took another break from most everything for a few months; it seems to have done the trick, and I back at most everything (with some limitations). But I do have to constantly adjust my position on the yak, bend my knees, straighten my knees, through my feet over the side... Just keep at it at a pace that's good for you.

As for the E-volve, the only thing I know is that it looks cool; but that doesn't mean it's practical. But if you do get one, please let us know what you think of it.

[maui jim]

All aches and pains go away after you have a good HOOKUP!!! thats what I noticed...
This thread is starting to sound like a Leasure World topic.\
Dont forget your AARP card

[Fiskadoro]

Originally Posted by maui jim

This thread is starting to sound like a Leasure World topic. Dont forget your AARP card

Ouch!!!

....and I though I was being harsh

[JoeBeck]

Seems to me when you start looking for a motor for a kayak, it is time to just get a boat. For the price of these things you can get a nice skiff with an outboard, fish all day and not worry about the batteries running out or flipping in the surf with a motor on the back of your yak. Just my 2 cents. Plus you can take family and friends out on a boat.

Jim I like the way you think.

[SteveK]

PAL, {“Range isn't a Big deal"} Range or runtime is everything. I'd like to have the option of 20 miles opposed to 2miles. The evolve with its 30 min full speed run time on our test kayak just doesn’t make it, and on top of that the noise is ridiculous, it sounds like a Roots style blower on a hot rod. All of the kits we installed had major problems, one guy was stranded because the Orange plastic steering connection snapped in halve, another problem is inside the throttle control unit, there is a plate which is supposed to be spot welded but it snaps off inside. You must have received a good wiring harness, one of the ones I received just had the metal pins just pressed into the rubber grommet with NO sealant on the other end, and water could touch the pins directly. I was wondering if the wiring is Marine grade.fficeffice" />>>
The throttle control unit should be backlit for night fishing.>>
The rudder rising out of the water is dangerous and could land you up on the rocks before you know it. Once you learn the motorized kayak, you’ll use reverse just as much as forward, you want it to work properly>>
I heard that Torqeedo is increasing the size of the battery for more run time>>
You’re promoting something that you have very little experience with, and possibly don’t realize its faults.>>
The stealth serpent takes up too much room in the cockpit, it’s in the way, and you’ll have wires in your lap. If you strike something underwater how does the shaft deflect the force??>>
These are the things you should consider before purchasing any EK >>


Tight lines
Steve

[TCS]

I've spoken to a few people that had the hobie evolve rudder mount and they loved it. One guy out there had his rudder handle come off after the installation of an evolve and had a long paddle back with no rudder. Not fun. Should be avoidable. Another dude with electric power downed a whole 12 pack on the water and I don't think he could have made it back to the beach without power! (no need to name names)

The version that goes into the mirage drive well might be better if you want to switch from peddling to electric and back because the motor on the rudder mount would create drag when peddling.

I think the issues with the mirage drive version is where to put your pedals when your not using them. I have an Adventure and the front hatch is hard to get to and not very large. I haven't tried getting my peddles in there, but I think it would be tight. Also, if you are just looking for a little help on a long uphill peddle home, the mirage well version would not allow you to do peddle and electric at the same time.

Hobie has outstanding support for any product defects related to hulls or mirage drives, so you would probably get better support from them than you would ordering from a catalog from another company.

Two other observations:
One:the evolve drivers do seem to have a silly grin that they can't quite suppress, so its probably fun.

Two:If you are getting into a boat budget and have the complexity of a boat in terms of maintenance and prep time, why not just buy a boat? Standing up to pee and having a dry butt sound pretty good sometimes.

My two cents

[DanaPT]

Here is my set-up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDGTuRUTbGQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXkw471NKgs

I don't have the patience for this type of stuff and was able to buy this ready with trolling motor and all. I'm not into my kayak for the exercise, I get that with other activities.

Top likes about the minn-kota trolling motor:
1) hands free fishing: control with feet.
2) Has I think 5-6 speeds forward, and 3 speeds reverse.
3) makes those skunk days a lot easier to take. At least I didn't have to paddle
4) I've yet to run the battery dead. I think the most I've run it down was to a 45% remaining charge. I think I covered about 10 miles in about 4 hrs.

Draw backs:
1) Sea grass and kelp can get you all mucked up, but so far not a big deal. I'm able to pull the cord on the left and pull the motor up and paddle over thick kelp or float in the shallow water.
2) More stuff to have to tow along. The battery, trolling motor, and full bait tank make for added weight. Good thing I'm a skinny guy and not bringing back 40# fish (maybe one day)

that's my 2 cents.

[Hypoxic1]

Ok, I know all of the purists will hate me but I really didnt expect to get invited to dinner anyway.
I have an E volve and love it. I have operated it at all speeds and with the exception of top spped and a following swell it operates very nicely. Igot mine after a few torturous long days when My ass was whopped from cruising with Darkhorse and I didnt want to work to get back in.
A few drawbacks....
Battery life......running at high speed will kill your juice pretty fast this is solved for me by having an extra battery but these batterys cost I think 5 or 6 hundred each

People look at you funny as you blaze by them

Getting kelp caught in the prop .........can make night fishing entertaining, best to pedal at night and just have the e volve as a backup

Getting your line caught in the prop..... happened to me, it can happen to you.

Cost.... I got mine shortly after the big december 2 YT morning when there were like 5 hobie guys blazing in and looking very comfortable in their boats, and just HAD TO HAVE ONE Fine its like buying another boat. I happened to have a ton of cash my wife was unaware of or this never would have happened 1800 motors are hard to explain to wives who notice everything. If I die and she sells for what I told her it costs, well, you know the end of that story.

Had one corroded cable connector and Hobie had me fixed in 2 days, so the maintenance issues seem small after 8 months but the jury is still out for a few years on new products

In short its a good unit, best for taking a tired boater back in if he just doesent feel like paddling or pedaling. I have towed several friends back in while we talked and drank a few beers, it was convenient.I have also used my evove to race out to a kayaker with a broken rudder and no paddle ,,,,,,,,hmm to bring him aid, took me like 3 minutes
You have to take very good of the cables and protect all of the connections with caps and dielectric silicone to ensure corrosion doesent become an issue.

I fish to relax, I just began exercising at a gym so both bases are covered. If you want any more specific information concerning the evove dropp me a note

Lets hope the fishing improves soon, getting tired of the gym

Chris

[j mo]

It’s amazing how threads get jacked, next thing you know you’re looking at someone else’s fish and reading a story about them....


Try Fastlane in SD for a test ride w the eVolve or OEX in Oside. My buddy has one and they are sick and nearly seamlessly integrate into the Hobie. In places like LJ where it takes time to get to the grounds/ and make bait you can cover a ton of ground fast and get way outside in no time if you see birds etc.

Don’t worry about the purists, anything that helps you stay on the water and enjoy your time out is worth the $

oh yeah and that Buddy who has the eVolve is one fishy mofo even w the evolve and I ve seen it open it up full throttle w a full live well and a 40lb fish on deck, he didnt look to be sinking

[lterrero]

Originally Posted by dsafety

We seem to have two conversations going on here. I will comment on the age and fitness angle. I would bet that the tingling you have has something to do with the way you are sitting in the yak. If the legs still work and from the way you describe yourself, they must, I would try to find sitting position that does not put pressure on the nerve or blood vessel that is causing the problem. Try a different seat. Raise the seat a bit so your legs are at a different angle. You might even try some exotic treatments such as acupuncture.

As one the the more senior guys out there, (I will be 60 in a couple weeks), I can say that a full day on the water wears me out. The knees ache and the muscles burn. On the other hand, it is activities such as this that keep me from feeling my age most of the time.

I don't know anyone that has the E-volve but there are a couple of guys on this forum, Morgan, (Roosta) and Chris (Hypoxic), who have the stern mounted version. From what I have heard, they love them, especially for the long trips to and from the grounds. Personally, I would rather have the exercise and ward off the pain with a nice bottle of wine later on.

Bob

yeah, what's wrong in getting a boat

[805gregg]

Originally Posted by lterrero

yeah, what's wrong in getting a boat

A kayak is a boat.