Prototype Compass for Mirage Drive Steering Handle Knob

Hello Everyone!
My name is Chris. I'm new to the forum. I just joined and dont even have my Hobie Kayaks yet. I have two Mirage Sports being delivered tomorrow(Fourth of July). I have been doing some reading and came accross the Hobie acessory knob for the Steering Handle part Number 88991355. I was thinking that I would like to come with my own idea for the knob. For example, Teak wood, an old school Hurst shift knob, etc. This is one of the ideas I built today.A liquid filled compass and the green font and arrows glow in the dark. I am going to give a thorough trials testing before I would even think of selling one to order. This post is to see if there is any interest out there and I will keep everyone updated as to the feel and functionality of the piece. It will screw on to the handle in the same manner as the factory Hobie part. Please give me your input and any other ideas you might have.

Thanks, Chris

Chris, welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new Sports!

Your compass idea sounds promising and would be a nice addition for anybody who occasionally experiences fog, especially those who don't carry GPSs.

Thanks Roadrunner!

I appreciate the input. I can't wait until the kayaks arrive sometime this afternoon. I will posts pics of the compass installed also.

Chris

We just got back from the maiden voyage. Wow!!!! Lots of fun, easy to load, super easy to control and great speed. My wife and I got them to go birding here in Wilmington.

Is the compass more for use or just a look sort of thing? I bought a compass for something else and find it really useful for on the water as well, Suunto M9, it is wrist style but since it has velcro you can easily just velcro it to your paddle. Works pretty darn well. Though I would get a handheld GPS if you travel further out, mine is mainly used to figure out which is the exact way the wind is blowing from the kayak app.

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-i11s Newport Beach, CA area.

When it gets foggy and you loose all sight of landmarks and distance vision then a compass is vital as it is very hard to keep a kayak in a straight line, even with GPS which leads you to zig zagging and over correcting as its not sensitive enough.

Yeah I get it, good to have a compass in addition to GPS, we are practicing with both, my friends and I are attempting a 30 mile trip to Catalina Island. Weather has been great recently, we have done 20 miles along the coast but we haven't done 30 miles into it yet. We do have a support boat that can haul all 6 kayak/OR/SUPs that will be attempting this, only problem, we don't have anyone to work the support boat, waiting on the two ladies who won't be paddling to get their boater card and a bit of training navigating before attempting. Got a few kids tagged along too, so making sure we have a good plan before we set out for it.

Having a support boat is truly a blessing. On our first 20 miles trip, one of the ladies had to climb up the boat to use the restroom, we also didn't have to really worry about navigating since all we did was follow the boat with the Garmin... I do have to say the one benefit of a SUP or the i11s is the ability as a guy to take a leak off of it without making a mess.

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-i11s Newport Beach, CA area.

For me the compass is mainly visual. I wanted to add the steering knob to my kayaks and wanted to think of another idea that would functional as well as useful for some people.

Thanks,
Chris

I think the compass knob is a great idea. I would buy one in a heartbeat! I currently carry a hand held compass on the kayak, but a small attached compass would be a great piece of gear.

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2012 i12s
2017 Revolution 11

X2 I would purchase one of these in a heartbeat