The relaxing sport of kayak fishing...

I wonder if either of their last names was "Bates"......;)
I hesitate to go into the ocean much anymore. Once when i was at Pine Island Fla., I had just come out of the water and about 100 yds away a huge shark came up on the beach of this little island to snatch a large bird.
He had to have swum up the boat channel underneath all of us swimmers to get there.
I went and told security, as there was no lifeguard present.
We went home just as they were making everyone get out of the water.
 
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Red Flower and I use Hobie Sports. A bit smaller than the Outback. I'll have to show her this.
 
I've been catching the little sharks and eating them. I hope I didn't make the mama's mad.

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Red Flower is often out there with me.

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We don't have many Great Whites in our area, although they have entered our waters on occasion. We do have Orcas.

Many Hobies including ours and the one in the video use a Mirage Drive for propulsion. This drive is modeled after penguin flippers. I've often wondered what a Mirage drive looks like to an underwater predator that feeds on marine mammals.

You can see underwater video of a Mirage drive at http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaks/features/miragedrive/ .
 
Howard:

After checking out that video I am very interested in the "mirage drive." How long have you had them in service? In the video it appears this drive is faster than a paddle, and I am wondering if more distance can be covered in a day with one. Also, how well does that drive hold up - is it a strong mechanism?
 
We've had our Hobies for just over 3 years. The mirage drive is faster than the paddles for our kayaks, but less maneuverable because you don't have the option of paddling on one side, paddling backwards, etc. The drives have never needed any service. We maintain them by hosing off the saltwater after use, and occasional squirts of WD-40.

Our kayaks are lightweight, maneuverable, and good for fishing. However, we get left in the metaphorical dust by ocean kayaks designed to cover distance. This is probably mostly due to hull design. Hobie makes some longer and thinner models with mirage drives. Those would be better for long distance than ours. I don't have enough experience with traditional designs to compare and contrast.
 
Thank you Howard for your analysis of the pros & cons of the Mirage drives on the Hobie SOTs. I have a lot of experience in all kinds of different yaks, & I think you pretty much nailed it. Fast is a relative term in kayaking, "Quick" might be a more accurate measure of percieved differences in speeds . However, a longer thinner boat, with as little drag on the hull as possible is always going to be faster in the hands of someone of equal skill. With the Mirage system, you are also dealing with a bit more weight factor because of the drive, as opposed to your typical touring sea kayak. Its always trade offs, whatever your paddling. I found it interesting that we share some of the same concerns regarding the flippers potential for prey mimickry. Ultimately, I think that are far far more likely dangers when playing in Mama Ocean than being killed by a big fish, such as Drowning, or Hypothermia.
Man, that was one powerful bite! The hulls on those poly boats are crazy Tough.
Kayaking is such a Great Sport. I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying success with your fishing. Ever attract the attention of any sea lions? ;):cool:
 
Abaniko said:
...Ever attract the attention of any sea lions? ;):cool:
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Seals aplenty.

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Lots of porpoise too. Occassional sea lion or Orca. Largest was a Grey whale up very close and personal. They used to be called devilfish after what they could do to a whaler.
 
Howard:

Thanks for that assessment. I was wondering if the Mirage would beat paddles and it sounds like it does. The Hobies that appeal to me are those two-seaters, because it looks like the front seat could be removed to make room for alot of gear stowage. In my potential paddling grounds waves are more an issue than ease of portaging and if these things are self-bailing and unsinkable there could be quite a bit of benefit to them.

Unfortunately, the Mirage Drive may be a "mechanical device" according to the USFS and therefore illegal in the BWCA. Sailboats are illegal in there because of the hinge mechanisms on the masts, etc. It is OK to put up a sail, just not one one on a "mechanized" mast and my suspicion is the rangers would see those pedals and have a fit. So, I may have to continue to go in there with a 25 hp outboard which is "legal" with a motorized permit. You can't get a permit for a sailboat for some reason.
 
cliff355 said:
Howard:

Thanks for that assessment. I was wondering if the Mirage would beat paddles and it sounds like it does. The Hobies that appeal to me are those two-seaters, because it looks like the front seat could be removed to make room for alot of gear stowage. In my potential paddling grounds waves are more an issue than ease of portaging and if these things are self-bailing and unsinkable there could be quite a bit of benefit to them.

Unfortunately, the Mirage Drive may be a "mechanical device" according to the USFS and therefore illegal in the BWCA. Sailboats are illegal in there because of the hinge mechanisms on the masts, etc. It is OK to put up a sail, just not one one on a "mechanized" mast and my suspicion is the rangers would see those pedals and have a fit. So, I may have to continue to go in there with a 25 hp outboard which is "legal" with a motorized permit. You can't get a permit for a sailboat for some reason.
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Let us know what the Feds say if you talk to them about this. I won't venture to guess as to whether they're allowable or not. I am not good at understanding bureaucratic logic.

The mirage drive is quieter than paddles, which dip into and out of the water if used in the normal manner.

The sail and a favorable wind can save a lot of energy. Of course, you can get blown down too. It happened to me one cold spring day in the Puget Sound, the same day I was pacing the Grey whale. I had some interesting thoughts treading water looking at the mast and sail pointing down towards the bottom of the sea, and wondering if I could right the thing. Fortunately, it turns out I could. The whale didn’t eat me. And I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
 
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