1st Ride + Misc ?'s: seat spec, bag, S/N, leash, trailering

Hello!

So excited that I got to go pick up my PA last Friday giving me the long weekend to play with it and get the trailer completed. First ride was on Saturday and I *can't* believe how comfortable and stable it is! I'm not sure if this is new but the seat has a sticker along the back where it clips in saying the capacity is 350lbs. I know it's come up before but I don't remember there being any confirmation so I thought I'd mention it. I sat in the chair using it like a camp chair in my driveway on Friday and wiggled around and nothing moved except the sway of the material - the frame is *solid*. And SO comfortable. I think if you were wondering between getting the new PA with the Vantage seat and prefering the old one would come down to how comfortable you find lumbar support. There are some people who think lumbar support just pokes them - they may like the old seat? My legs rest against the arms but they are so low, they didn't bother me for the time I was out.

Notes from 1st ride: WOW! I forgot my sunscreen (DUH!) and figured it wouldn't matter, I wasn't planning on being out long or going far but this puppy was so easy to get around it I stayed at it. I'm figuring I was 6-8km's in a 2-3 hour period - just messing around, not pushing it but still can't believe how far I got so easily. Definitely not forgetting the sunscreen again

I was out long enough to experience a few big boats go by. Not too close but the waves were easily manageable heading into them. In the summer if I get closer and/or the boats get larger, this might change but I definitely felt very comfortable and put my mind at rest as that was one of my worries. I'm on a lake where 30-50' cabin cruisers go by full tilt...

I have the steering handles and knobs on both sides for steering and found my arms are a wee bit too short to comfortably use the knobs for extended periods. I can use them but mostly I just relaxed and steered turning the base. I'm 5'6 with a long body/short extremities so there's that. I could probably bring the chair up to a more vertical position too but I liked the angle of recline. (Note to self, need to figure out headrest!)

There was a brief moment of panic when... a bug landed on me. I made him walk the plank... but he maybe flew off

Some lady at the park waited my ENTIRE trip to ask me what it was I was out on as she saw me leave - sounded like somewhere there may have been an exasperated hubby She had a bad sholder and was curious about it and how it was on the knees (so far OK). I told her all about it and where in our area she can go. Someone snuck up behind me while I was talking with her and snapped a photo - that won't be a flattering shot, thanks strange dude!

Here are some questions if anyone could comment on them?

1) does the mirage storage bad hold the Mirage Drive with the Turbo fins? I tried and it looks really tight so I abandoned it since I didn't think cramming it in would be a good idea. I could see the regular fins fitting in A-OK since it was so close...

2) uh... is everyone's serial number hand scratched into their boat? That seemed kind of odd to me so I thought why not ask. I think it's the serial number - its right at the back above the right hand side.

3) anyone have a rod leash and a mirage drive leash from Hobie - are they the same thing? I don't know where it happened but I got the rod leash instead of the mirage leash and it looks the same as the mirage drive leash in the book except maybe it doesn't come with the bolt clip thing (per accessory catelogue pic). I'll feel better if someone said the rod will be enough to hold the drive should something happen. I think a fishing rod is much lighter but why make 2 parts when they can do the same thing... There is only one digit difference in their part #'s.

4) lastly is there a boat launch etiquette? Is there a site I could be directed to that explains it or does anyone know? Just one trip but I was left scratching my head over how it should have played out. If there is someplace that outlines the launch rules that would be great but I'll say what happened. I brought my PA in and instead of parking it on the in/out side, I parked it on the far side in case someone else could use the ramp while I go get the vehicle. I come back and someone was fiddling around getting ready to launch their boat. I started aiming (they were out of their vehicle fiddling with ropes and bumpers) and he said he was ready to go so I mentioned I was just getting mine out, asked how long he'd be since I was new at this and could take a bit. He said he had lined up for this side already (NOTE: there are two launch sides, the other not being used at the time) and was "ready to go" so I let him. Well it apparently takes longer to drop a boat in if you have to drive *ALL* over trying to find a parking spot and your wife is not able to drive the boat away. I'm thinking he should maybe have pulled up and over the 20 feet and use the side no one was at at the time which would let me get my PA out since I was technically there first, boat-wise. BUT maybe I should have left my PA on the ramp side to indicate that there was a boat there ready to come out - maybe looking at the PA you wouldn't put it together that it was there to be trailered + I was not on the ramp side. It was just weird... Maybe it is what it is and there really isn't any specific way it could have gone but if there is any "rules" I'd appreciate it just to help make the launching smooth. I need a lot more practice backing up and there is very heavy pedestrian traffic right at the boat launch so I find it a bit harrowing to begin with. Knowledge is power and I'll ask here since I'm thinking maybe boaters wouldn't really recognise that the big kayak thing is getting trailered so you'd know.

Oooh - lastly. If you get the sail kit and you drag it out just to look at it, there's a good possibility that it is full of static and even a little bit of dirt will cling away to it and not dust off easily. Just thought I would mention it so you would be forwarned and could do it somewhere very clean or just leave it in the bag or be prepared to wash it down if that sort of thing bugs you. I *may* have left it in the bag if I had thought about it.

Sorry the post is so long! If you have any input on the items mentioned above please let me know - I'd appreciate it. Thanks everyone who talked about your trailer mods and posted pics and answered questions! Truely invaluable! Only topic I would take back/not see is the "dropping the kids off at the pool". I put that one off forever thinking "I don't care about your kids!!!" Good for a laugh

Yakiddy yak,

Congrats on the new PA.... You'll be a pro at it in no time.

My ramp process would be as follows:

In a pull out or parking lot I prepare and load all the appropriate gear so it is ready to launch. All the tie downs are removed except the front one. I have a line tied to the front of the boat to control it once it is launched. This is to keep the boat attached when pulling the trailer down to the ramp.

I quickly untie the boat and launch in to the water.

I will either pull it to a spot I will enter the boat. Either a dock or shore line. It is important to make sure you are clear of passage for other boats.

When returning to the ramp I again tie the boat up someplace out of the way and wait my turn to back down the ramp.

With a rope pull the boat unto the trailer ... You will probably need to lift the boat up onto your trailer.

Tie down the front of the boat for trailering to a parking spot to finish your tie down procedure and gear storage.

A few things to keep in mind.... If it is dark and more boats are loading don't run your headlights it is hard for others to see. The whole idea is quick (and easy for you) in and out to keep from tying up the ramp.

Also try backing the trailer in an vacant parking lot in between cones or something visible. One key is once backing keep your hands at the bottom of the steering wheel. While watching your side mirrors move your hands towards the direction the trailer is heading out of your line. Small movement is best . If your trailer is real finicky you might have the tongue extended. Well I hope this helps. You might have noticed I referenced boats more than kayaks. That was my main experience. I have two new pa's myself in the trailer set up stage. I will still use this type of a system...

Tight lines

Rob

Oops, one thing I forgot and it still applies to our pa's. I have a question I have always asked my wife and kids as we are approaching the ramp. "Should we run with or without the plug today". I only forgot the plug once.... And yes I forgot to ask the question that day.....

Welcome and hope you get lots of use out of your PA.

1. Not sure, I store my mirage drive vertically with the pedals resting on 2 boards.
2. Yes, serial number is hand scratched.
3. I made a leash for my mirage drive from a body board leash. Costs about $12 to make.
4. I park my truck and load the kayak and walk it to the water. I stay far away from the dock and don't seem to disturb anyone. When me and someone else is going in at the same time, I tell them what I'm doing beforehand and give them the right away. I try to launch where I don't need to cross anyone's path to get where I'm going.

Something I don't hear people talk about much but keep a toilet wax ring on the kayak. In case it ever leaks, the wax can be forced into the crack until you get back. Shove pool noodles in the kayak as well. If you buy a kayak cart, don't get a ctug...they suck for a PA. Best of luck.

_________________
2012 PA 14'

Junkie,

Thought you were going a different direction with the wax toilet ring there for a minute...

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March 2010 Hobie Pro Angler

CBull

Congrats on the new ride. Do a google search for "Boat Ramp Etiquette", lots of good advice. One of the best things you can do is learn how to back your trailer up. As posted above go to a large parking lot at night when there are no cars and practice backing up. Once you get good it will help speed up your time at the ramp.
After launching and loading a few times you will figure out what works the best for you and then become faster doing it.

Good luck and have fun.

Stan

Congrats on the new PA and welcome to the family! You're going to love it!

_________________
Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

I have checked out Googling "boat ramp ettiquete" and there were definitely a lot of examples but I thought they were a bit lacking - they read more like a step-by-step how to manual which is OK but none addressed the way you line up, who can go first, coming/going, etc, which is where I think the etiquette comes in although a lot of the ramp stories did lean towards people fiddling with the steps mentioned while being in the wrong area and holding up the ramp so there's that. Personally if I saw someone not familiar with backing up, I wouldn't get too excited about it if they took a couple attempts lining. The fiddling with things in the wrong spot seems more willful/rude.

My specific issue was whether I should have gone first getting my boat out of the water (faster than putting in and parking) while I was in my vehicle ready to back up and get it vs the guy who was out of his vehicle messing with his ropes and bumpers but was physically there first...

I did find some forums/Yahoo Ask type of thing where it seemed that regarding "who's first" it's by vehicle, not boat and said it's a given that it's trickier when there's only one person rather than being able to leave someone on board so I'll go by that. If anyone knows differently, please post. I found even government pamphlets on ramp etiquette but the who's first stuff was just personal posts, can't always count on the internet being correct .

Now to get some practice in without help! I went out one night after work this week on a quiet day which was great for practice and I got it out well but coming back there was someone very helpful to where it felt like it'd be rude to say "excuse me, I'm trying to learn here" - I'd have to have taken the rope out of his hand - after managing to get it away from his son who had many questions on the PA I did pick up where to stop the vehicle when reversing, that I don't have to go back so far. If I hadn't reversed a bit too far, I think I'd have been a bit more smoother.

Best thing ever that happened way, way back when I had a runabout was a fellow helped me back up once when I was new to it back then. He stood outside of my vehicle and steered it backwards and I *still* haven't figured out if standing outside looking back working the wheel would be easier somehow or if he was just gifted... I did take away from that that it's better to "nudge" than "steer" backwards but back then I had a 2 door short Blazer and I can definitely tell now that the Suburban is a different beast. I try nudging now and less happens... Learning curve, I'll get it - part of the fun

Now for the weather to improve!!!

PS, Thanks for all the reply's! I think I'm going to take the mirage bag back, not as helpful as I thought... Gear Junkie's idea sounds good 'cause the drive doesn't rest on it's side so well, I feel like it's too floppy when it's resting. Anyone use some kind of gizmo to keep the fins from flopping in transit? I can picture some kind of snap on clip that would go on the arms under the pedals... Something square and firm, not flexible like a bungie which could work but would still have too much give...?

Now I go through hardware stores trying to think how to repurpose items... Definitely a new hobby!