Landing a Hobie Pedal Kayak - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Murray · 03-27-2016, 04:36 AM

OK hobie mirage drive anglers who have perfected the art of landing your yak. What technique do you prefer when landing. Landings always seem the most difficult and exciting part of the trip depending on the final result. Bummer to lose gear when things do not go so well so let's hear your thoughts on landing techniques. Want to keep this discussion for pedal drive fishing yaks only since their design does not lend itself to "surfing" the landing and the fact that they offer 2 different methods of propulsion during landings. Hopefully, this discussion will help build confidence and save some $ in lost gear.

1. Surf it in under mirage drive power.
2. Surf it in under paddle power(drive and rudder up) .
3. Surf it in using both pedal and paddle.
4. Back it it with rudder and drive up using paddle only.
5. ???????????

* Timing sets and securing gear is a given. Mirage drive yaks getting sideways to the white water/wave also seems to be the norm.

sparky · 03-27-2016, 05:44 AM

Thank you for starting this thread, this also is the only part I hate about every trip(only been out twice just got a brand new 14' PA). My biggest concern is the chair, rails, and bait tank when landing, I don't see it ending up good rolling in the surf. I got luck my first time out and came in to 1' waves that was fun, but the second time I ended up jumping of the yak in 8' of water and surfed in holding on to the back not fun and embracing.

bolocop · 03-27-2016, 07:06 AM

Like Mickey told Rocky, Speed, more Speed!

I'm an advocate of leaving the drive in and pedaling as fast as you can through the kill zone. When you get to waist high water, jump out, lock drive in place(or take it out), and pull up the rudder. I do the opposite when launching.

I just can't see making it through the kill zone while paddling a Hobie with anything wider than a Revo when the waves are 3-5, especially a Pro Angler. Takes a lot of effort to get to speed.

tunaseeker · 03-27-2016, 07:21 AM

Agree with that! Speed and jump out. You cant paddle a Hobie Outback or PA very well. Use the peddles! Time the sets. Haul a$$. Jump. I've rolled my share but that is when I tried to coast in. One footers will flip you. Since I have started jumping out at about 3-4" no problem.....

Good luck!

FARRIER · 03-27-2016, 07:49 AM

I lock my drive and rudder up, then paddle in. Your rudder will not stand up to a wave pushing you. The advantage of having your paddle out is huge. Being able to lean into the white wash should you end up sideways is important.

cesar74 · 03-27-2016, 09:41 AM

I like using peddle power myself. I keep my rudder up & use my paddle for power & to guide my kayak. After jumping off I remove my drive. I do the same thing for both launching & landing (peddle power).

YakDout · 03-27-2016, 01:34 PM

I use my drive and rudder for launch and land. Worked for me so far, have yet to roll in a surf zone. For launch, get out to about 2.5-3 feet of water, drop the drive and rudder, hop on and cruise right through the waves, no issues. EXCEPT sometimes recently I noticed that my oversized rudder would hang up on the bungee cleat. Almost caused me to roll a couple times because I couldnt steer. Fixed that with my dremel the other day.

For landing, I dont take the paddle out either. Time the sets, and charge it right behind the last wave in a set if there are any. Bail in about 2.5-3feet of water to pull my drive out and rudder up. Done deal!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

03-27-2016, 04:36 AM	#1
Murray Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Vista Posts: 326	Landing a Hobie Pedal Kayak OK hobie mirage drive anglers who have perfected the art of landing your yak. What technique do you prefer when landing. Landings always seem the most difficult and exciting part of the trip depending on the final result. Bummer to lose gear when things do not go so well so let's hear your thoughts on landing techniques. Want to keep this discussion for pedal drive fishing yaks only since their design does not lend itself to "surfing" the landing and the fact that they offer 2 different methods of propulsion during landings. Hopefully, this discussion will help build confidence and save some $ in lost gear. 1. Surf it in under mirage drive power. 2. Surf it in under paddle power(drive and rudder up) . 3. Surf it in using both pedal and paddle. 4. Back it it with rudder and drive up using paddle only. 5. ??????????? * Timing sets and securing gear is a given. Mirage drive yaks getting sideways to the white water/wave also seems to be the norm.

03-27-2016, 05:44 AM	#2
sparky Junior Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 10	Surf landing Thank you for starting this thread, this also is the only part I hate about every trip(only been out twice just got a brand new 14' PA). My biggest concern is the chair, rails, and bait tank when landing, I don't see it ending up good rolling in the surf. I got luck my first time out and came in to 1' waves that was fun, but the second time I ended up jumping of the yak in 8' of water and surfed in holding on to the back not fun and embracing.

03-27-2016, 07:49 AM	#5
FARRIER Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cmont [] Posts: 314	I lock my drive and rudder up, then paddle in. Your rudder will not stand up to a wave pushing you. The advantage of having your paddle out is huge. Being able to lean into the white wash should you end up sideways is important. __________________ "It depends on what the meaning of the words 'is' is." –Bill Clinton

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03-27-2016, 07:06 AM	#3
bolocop Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 332	Like Mickey told Rocky, Speed, more Speed! I'm an advocate of leaving the drive in and pedaling as fast as you can through the kill zone. When you get to waist high water, jump out, lock drive in place(or take it out), and pull up the rudder. I do the opposite when launching. I just can't see making it through the kill zone while paddling a Hobie with anything wider than a Revo when the waves are 3-5, especially a Pro Angler. Takes a lot of effort to get to speed.

03-27-2016, 07:21 AM	#4
tunaseeker TB Metal Art Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 653	Agree with that! Speed and jump out. You cant paddle a Hobie Outback or PA very well. Use the peddles! Time the sets. Haul a$$. Jump. I've rolled my share but that is when I tried to coast in. One footers will flip you. Since I have started jumping out at about 3-4" no problem..... Good luck!

03-27-2016, 09:41 AM	#6
cesar74 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ventura,CA Posts: 81	I like using peddle power myself. I keep my rudder up & use my paddle for power & to guide my kayak. After jumping off I remove my drive. I do the same thing for both launching & landing (peddle power).

03-27-2016, 01:34 PM	#7
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	I use my drive and rudder for launch and land. Worked for me so far, have yet to roll in a surf zone. For launch, get out to about 2.5-3 feet of water, drop the drive and rudder, hop on and cruise right through the waves, no issues. EXCEPT sometimes recently I noticed that my oversized rudder would hang up on the bungee cleat. Almost caused me to roll a couple times because I couldnt steer. Fixed that with my dremel the other day. For landing, I dont take the paddle out either. Time the sets, and charge it right behind the last wave in a set if there are any. Bail in about 2.5-3feet of water to pull my drive out and rudder up. Done deal! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk