hacking up my yak

[bubblehide]

Originally Posted by dsafety

Your comments about the Hobie hull designs are pretty accurate. Even the Revo probably could use some refinements. I would love to not have to have my hand on the rudder control all the time while peddling around and being able to easily land in tough surf conditions without fear of holding a yard sale is something everyone would appreciate.

As with most things, accommodations have to be made by the manufacturers so that products will appeal to the widest range of potential customers. Experiments such as yours may open a few eyes as to what can be done. I look forward to seeing the results.

Here is something to think about. Your comment about Hobies not tracking well is true when under peddle power. My Revo, when in paddle mode tracks much better, even without using the rudder. I wonder if the turbulence or some other factor that is introduced by the Mirage Drive has anything to do with this.

Your experiment will probably shed some light on this. If the modified yak retains its excellent handling characteristics after the Mirage Drive is installed, you will have probably proved that the Hobie hulls need some work. If, on the other hand, the peddle system induces tracking problems similar to what we Hobie users experience, that would be another lesson learned.

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Bob

Bob, you've made some very insightful statements here, much more eloquent then I. Your 100% right on with a manufacturer appealing to a wide range of potential customers; you just don't stay in business if you don't do this to some degree; and in doing so, everyone gets a little bit of what they want. Obviously Hobie has a product that appeals to many people; their roto-molding is excellent, the pedal drive system is simply ingenious. But there will still be a few picky bastards like myself, that want a little bit more; and from a $$$$$/profit perspective, it may not make any sense to give us picky bastards what we want.

In consideration of tracking, if we compare the difference in tracking of the Revo vs the Outback, we find a huge difference, in both paddle and pedal mode, So I would conclude that hull design would make a difference; but that is nothing new considering the two hull types; and is very predictable. But I do think your on to something with the turbulence factor of the drive, and considering the low slope design of the Altura's hull, I don't think I will end up with the best tracking (once done) from the Altura, without some minor modifications to the bottom of the hull. Basically, I guess what I am saying, is that to end up with a pedal drive yak that tracks well, you need to start with a hull that tracks very well. I also think that that turbulence effect you speak of, may be amplified in the surf zone as you have water going in the same direction as the yak, and against the intended water direction as it travels past the drive unit (not to mentions side currents and what not in the surf zone). I simply don't know if a better tracking hull design will make a difference in the surf zone; and considering the slight slope hull design of the Altura, I have my doubt's that it will preform any better than your Revo, unless I try some minor hull modifications, and then I still wouldn't bet one way or the other (in the surf zone).

Someone had mentioned that I may have the fastest yak out there once done; I'm honestly not sure about this. I would say I would end up with a more efficient kayak. I guess what I'm saying is that it should be faster off the line, i.e., more efficient. But when it comes to top speed, I think it's a combination of hull design and the pedal drive units abilities; and I feel that the design of the drive unit has it upper speed output limits. So I don't expect to gain any significant speed over another pedal drive yak, given consideration for hull design/speed ability. But I do expect the yak to do what ever speed with more efficiency It's that efficiency that makes the Hobie's so damn appealing and well worth the extra dough.