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| Hobie's MirageDrive for other Brands? http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=36535 |
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| Author: | slow2run [ Sun Jul 03, 2011 7:48 am ] |
| Post subject: | Hobie's MirageDrive for other Brands? |
Why don't other Kayak and canoe brands, offer Mirage drive mounts as a options? With the current price of drives around $490 to customers,It looks to me as good business opportunity, for all involved. |
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| Author: | Tom Kirkman [ Sun Jul 03, 2011 6:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hobie's MirageDrive for other Brands? |
I'm not absolutely certain, but I think that to effectively use the Mirage Drive system requires a certain hull and rudder design. If you just stuck a Mirage Drive in any kayak I'm not sure it would push the boat straight ahead. I may be completely wrong, but I have a strong suspicion that the Mirage Drive design goes a lot deeper than just the drive unit. |
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| Author: | Roadrunner [ Sun Jul 03, 2011 8:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hobie's MirageDrive for other Brands? |
The Drivewell takes a huge strain and Hobie uses some proprietary technology in achieving the proper strength in that area. It could become quite expensive for another manufacturer to warranty their hulls against cracking, etc. Native Watercraft learned this lesson when testing their "Propel" Drive -- the boats didn't hold up well against the stresses of a pedal drive. There have been some custom boats that have used the Mirage Drive successfully, but nothing commercially that I know of. 
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| Author: | tilroh [ Wed Jul 06, 2011 4:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hobie's MirageDrive for other Brands? |
Mounting the drive(s) is the hard part. Most boats aren't designed to have a hole or two cut in the bottom. |
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