Hobie E-Volve ??? Looking to Buy - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

TCS · 11-17-2010, 04:21 PM

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

dsafety · 11-17-2010, 04:40 PM

This is probably a question for another thread but let me post it here. Some have commented about the noise that these motors make. One of the advantages that kayaks bring to the fishing game is a certain degree of stealth.

I would be interested in any thoughts on the possible ramifications of the additional noise that these units create? Does the extended range and speed outweigh any issues that the increased noise may bring?

Bob

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11-17-2010, 04:21 PM	#1
TCS Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 478	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

11-17-2010, 04:40 PM	#2
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,124	This is probably a question for another thread but let me post it here. Some have commented about the noise that these motors make. One of the advantages that kayaks bring to the fishing game is a certain degree of stealth. I would be interested in any thoughts on the possible ramifications of the additional noise that these units create? Does the extended range and speed outweigh any issues that the increased noise may bring? Bob