WAVERIDER, great points!
WAVERIDER wrote:
...further to the rear the greater the authority a skeg has (ie better tracking per size) that said a kayak pivots around the nose not its center, so a more forward placed daggerboard/skeg will help tracking. Difference is it has to be larger, bringing with it resultant drag. Downside of a rear mounted skeg is it limits manouverability, making it harder to "slide' the back around.
Similarly, the rudder limits turns while paddling, but most of the Hobies (except the Adventure / Revo 16) can be "edged" to make small directional corrections with the rudder down.
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...next resort is drop the rudder and either let it drift free so it dampens, but doesn't stop turning. Final resort wedge a cloth under steering lever. This will generally hold you in a straight line, but completely eliminate any manoeuvrability.
Most of the Hobie kayaks,including the Oasis, use the Twist N Stow rudder. If attempting to trail it, it turns the boat. So it must be either down and locked or up out of the water.
Although it's not good to over-tension the rudder lines (they shouldn't have a "twang"), I like enough tension to keep the rudder control from moving on its own. When it is set, it stays in place. If I'm putting something under it to hold it (like a seat strap), I consider that to be too loose.
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If you intend doing a bit of paddling set up some thigh straps, even if just using cam straps and padeyes. It gets around the lack of decent feet rests and bracing in mirage hobies, enabling much better feel and control
Another option is to use your Mirage Drive in place of straps. Pushing with the opposite foot reinforces the stroke. It also has the additional benefit of enhancing your speed. It is quite a workout though! Here's a pic showing the technique with the Adventure:
Here's another shot of a front seat solo in the Oasis, but not showing the leg position. His wake shows he's getting a nice bit of speed with a pedal /paddle combo.
The rudder is by no means ideal. In addition to limiting turns, it is sometimes difficult to set correctly and the tiniest correction may be more than you want. On the other hand, it's already bought and paid for. With proper set-up and a little practice, it makes for fair paddling tracking on all the Hobie boats that I've paddled with.