Turbo Fins for Revolution - Questions

I just have a quick question about Turbo fins for the Revolution, but I'm sure anyone who has gone from standard fins to turbo fins can answer my question.

We have a standard kayak, and a Revolution, and when we go out together, my wife uses the Revolution. If we upgrade to Turbo fins, how noticeable is the increased effort?

What I mean is, if the fins have more surface area, I assume that the effort to move them through the water would also increase. Would this fatigue the rider more? Obviously with that increased effort comes increased speed, but I'm just wondering if anyone has regretted moving to turbo fins because of increased effort.

Thanks!

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I think you'll find that you might have the opportunity to wear yourself out if you wanted to. I think you'll also find that you do a little slower cadence for the same output in normal kicking around. The "departure" is a little quicker, the cadence reduced. I think it all balances out unless you just try to beat yourself up. I take the turbo's from the PA and use it on the Outback and it makes a different trip for the Outback. Fact is, I'll change out for Turbo's for the Outback after the wife tries it out. I won't do it without her blessing as that's the one she uses. She's quite satisfied with the ST fins right now. The turbo's really perk up the Outback. Being around Hobies for a while, I'll say to use the turbo's with the thought that the pressure is there to possibly cause issues if abused. The hull can go through some stress with 'hammering' with turbo's. That's my take. I personally think of the tops of the pedals as a huge torque wrench. Think of the pressure your legs can put on the "hull area" or pedal connection methods, with both feet pushing against the pedals at the same time. "off my soapbox now"

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Yakkingaway
Portsmouth, VA

I just made that exact change, and agree with yakkingaway. Departure is definitely quicker, but lazy cruising is very nice and enjoyable at reduced stroke rate. I'll be curious to see what my wife thinks too, I bet she won't hardly notice as she's not in the boat as much as I.

I tapped a submerged stump or such on last trip, and the bottom of the rod pierced thru the fin, I read here that happens lots. Pushed it back inside, no big deal. In my area lots of shallows/obstructions,etc so will have to take extra care with longer turbos. But its bound to happen, and means at least I'm "out there"

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2010 Hobie Revolution 13 *sold
2010 Hobie Outback *sold
2015 Hobie Revolution 13 FOR SALE**********
One Ocean Storm cedar stripbuilt
2009 Native Ultimate 12

I also use crazy glue on the hole to mend it back together. Won't help a re-pucnture, but at least the closed hole is a bit smoother.

My only regret is that I did not change fins earlier.

I think there is a noticeable difference between the standard and the turbo fins in regards to resistance BUT it is not a huge difference. I definitely prefer the turbos by a long shot.No science backing this up but after pedaling both sets of fins I think the turbos provide a more efficient energy input.

Thanks for all of your input. I'm going to chat with the dealer. I think they have demo days coming up soon, and I'd love to click the turbo's in place to try them out. If my wife likes them we'll get them for sure. A little extra resistance isn't going to bother me at all, so it comes down to what she thinks is best.

I appreciate all of your input!

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Just do it. You won't regret it. There isn't anything negative in doing the change that would make you want to change back.

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Yakkingaway
Portsmouth, VA

Whereas most folks favor the Turbofins, there are many who prefer the ST fins. They have the efficiency of the Turbos, almost the ease of the standard fins and are easier to install while being less expensive. My wife thinks they are just perfect for her.

I once met someone who bought Turbos and didn't like them, and was willing to trade his virtually new set for my old standard fins. Each of the fins has its virtues.

I ended up getting the turbo fins for our Revolution. The interesting thing is that we bought the Revolution not because we saw the kayaks at the boat show (which is the first place we saw them) but because we saw a video of the kayaks at the boat show and were impressed with their speed. My wife has problems with her wrists so she couldn't paddle for long distances, once we saw the speed of the Revolution, we knew it was the right boat for her.

Having put the Turbo fins on the other day, I couldn't believe the speed. I went out and gave the new fins a workout and came back VERY impressed. I took a couple short videos, we'll see if any of them are decent. I'm not sure that they show the speed, but I was extremely impressed. If you're looking for the fastest boats on the water without a motor, the Turbo Fins are the way to go!
I'll post the video tomorrow. Maybe it'll help sell a few more mirage drive boats!

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Here's a video. I tried to show in front, and behind, but I guess I'm not that great at shooting video when I'm not using the view finder.

I think it shows the speed though. Thanks for all of the advice to go ahead and get the Turbo Fins, they're great!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Coc6aS2AKpA[/youtube]

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Yeah they do go huh? Especially when pedaling against a slight chop, feels like so much faster LOL. Great fun.

Pedaling these boats barefooted in warm sunny weather is so therapeutic! Feels great !

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2010 Hobie Revolution 13 *sold
2010 Hobie Outback *sold
2015 Hobie Revolution 13 FOR SALE**********
One Ocean Storm cedar stripbuilt
2009 Native Ultimate 12

Good point about pedalling in bare feet. We have an '09 Revolution, and it didn't have the pedal pads. We always had to wear our shoes while pedalling because the pedals weren't very comfortable. My wife made the point that she didn't like the "tan lines" that the shoes caused. So we bought the pads that come standard on the 2010 boats, and it was requested that I also remove the straps... so we'll be tan line free this summer!
Man I'm a good husband. My only fear now is that when we go out together, (her on the Revolution, and me on my traditional kayak) that I'll be able to keep up to her!

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She'll play that game well. Unless of course you've done something to warrant a butt-whipping and then, she'll give it to you on the water.... Let me see........ I predict about half the season and you'll be in yours.......

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Yakkingaway
Portsmouth, VA

Funny thing, I went from my Turbos to the ST Fins and was happy with the decreased effort and the speed was good until I was out on a 14 mile excursion in the 10,000 Islands off the West Coast of Florida. I met a friend and another guy to do the annual Paddle-In with EvergladesKayakFishing.com. My friend had a paddle SOT Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro 15' and the other guy had a Revolution fishing version just like mine with Turbo Fins. Granted I had a bit more weight in my revo a cooler with water and gatorade for the day and snacks. Equipment included 4 fishing rods a Crate Mate with tackle boxes. Two Ram rocket launcher rod holders an 8' Stick-It anchor pin, Depth Finder and assorted accessories ie: gripper, needle nose, net, fish ruler. etc.
I had some difficulty catching up to either of them if I paused for photos or land a fish. I also noticed the difference in speed is noticable between Turbo & ST fins in a side by side comparison. Had I not had so much gear perhaps it would have been less noticable. But the effort is still noticeable.
We had to sprint for a while to get to the lunch location in time and the other revo was feeling the effort and was wearing out quicker than I with the ST fin. We sprinted for 1.5 miles. The scupper pro?? well he had had no problems keeping up and passing us up with either fin! That SOT is definitely the fastest paddle SOT kayak and he had substantial gear also. Now in open water against the wind a totally different story. The revo cuts through like butter and with very little effort.
I was on a nearby Lake recently and ran into a 15-20 MPH headwind returning to the launch. My two companions in paddle kayaks were struggling and I was barely even pedaling. They called me names and said something just isn't right about this. I then showed if I really pedaled I passed them up easily. That was cruel since we still had a half mile to go. The ST fins are great but since I do carry alot of gear fishing I am going back to the Turbos until I again feel the effort not worth it.

Revo

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I would rather be kayaking and think about work than to be at work thinking about kayaking.
A Thrill Ride is being dragged around in your kayak for 40 minutes by an extremely large fish.