Shakedown Cruise

I have lived on Candlewood lake in CT for over 20 years and have a 21' Bayliner with a wakeboard tower (my son's idea) and an old Sears canoe which I use every good weather morning doing 2-3 miles. Last week I was battling home against the wind (Paddling a canoe upwind is like shooting an arrow feathers first!) when this guy in a little yellow kayak effortlessly blows by me and he wasn't even paddling! I had to find out about this!

He was in a Hobie Sport. I did my research and since the Sport was a little small for me, and I might do a little fishing, last Friday I drove down to The Boat Locker in Westport and picked up a Hobie Outback. Naturally that brought on the longest stretch of cold rainy weather we have had all summer! I had to be patient!

This morning my patience ran out. It wasn't raining but we still have a NE wind over 10mph. "Oh what the heck - trial by fire - this thing is supposed to be stable and good in the wind - let's go!" I did, and I loved it!

I cruised around for about an hour - cross wind, down wind, and upwind - stable as a rock. Getting in and out at my dock was no problem. As a good omen as I neared the undeveloped (all federal land) west shore of Danbury bay a bald eagle took off and flew right over me! I know this is no big deal in Alaska, but it is a pretty cool sighting on Candlewood lake in CT.. I look forward to many more hours on the lake in my Outback. Anyone want to buy an old canoe?

I love old canoes, but not as much as my Hobie. I think I'll stick with what I have. Roger

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Roger
2010 Oasis
Lucie Belle

That's a great story! Welcome to the club!

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Thanks. The wind came down this afternoon and I went out again. Still fun and looking forward to a sunny day tomorrow.

My only wish is that at 6'1" I could use a "position 8" on the peddles. BTW at position 7 the peddles do "bottom out" on the front of the drive well. I am careful not to let them hit hard, but is that normal?

I'll finish with a "newbe" tip. If you are loading you unloading from an old wooden dock like mine you can use the swim ladder (if there is one) as an aid. Just hook the bungie cord usually used to keep the peddles locked with the fins up, to a rung of the swim ladder. Now the Hobie is locked in place and you can use the swim ladder rails to help you get in and out!

That seems very odd to me. I'm 5'11" with long legs, and I believe I'm on 4 or 5 (it's different for the Revolution and the Adventure) but at 6'1" you shouldn't be bottoming out. Are you slouching more then necessary? Is your seat in the furthest position back?

It does seem odd that you are out of room on position 7. Can you get someone to post a picture of you pedalling? That might help others identify what is off, if anything.

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I understood that your legs should be only slightly bent at the end of a stroke. I need position 7 and the seat in the furthest back position to make that happen. But regardless of where I sit the question is, are the peddles supposed to hit the front of the drive well when in position 7 ?

Nope... something sounds out of whack. Actually a few things do. It's odd that you need position 7 if you're only 6'1" and the pedals shouldn't hit the front of the drive well. The fins can hit the bottom of the boat, but not the pedal shaft hitting the front of the drive well.

Something seems off there.

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This morning I had a cruise around Danbury bay and got into a nice rhythm where I was not contacting the front of the drive well, but if I extend all the way the peddles do contact the well. Tomorrow I will be taking some kids out to kneeboard on our Bayliner, but the next time I put the Outback in the water I'll take some measurements and photos.

It alllmost sounds like the drive is tipped forward in the well.

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=12836

Keith

Shoes can also play a factor. Thick soles reduce the amout your legs can extend.
I switched from thick soled sandles to Vibram five-fingers shoes that have a thin sole with no padding to get the full extention on setting 7.
But I'm 6'5".

OK you got me thinking and I went down to the dock to investigate. It turns out that the peddles are not hitting the front of the drive well. There is plenty of room there. Whats happening is that the plastic peg that holds on the rubber foot strap hits the last "foot well rib". The drive well is not too short, but too narrow for position 7! My peddle shafts are straight, parallel, and vertical. The clearance is just too close. I'll bet if I sand off 2mm or so off the peg it would clear. Very interesting. Maybe something for the Hobie engineers to look into.

As far as my sitting position is concerned I'll try barefoot instead of my water shoes and maybe position 6. I'll find a combination that works best for me. Its just too much fun not to!

If I have done this correctly you should see a picture of the peddle interference below:


IMG_0038 by pgerhardt62, on Flickr

I know what you're talking about. Yes it's too bad Hobie can't find a little more cockpit width there. It happens in some boats, primarily Outbacks and Revolutions with the #7 pedal position.

As you mentioned, you can file off the strap tab or switch to the #6 position. In addition to losing your shoes, you can position your feet a little higher on the pedals or bend your ankles more. The older style seat (2006 model still available) has a thinner back and will set you back another 1/2" (right, below).


For general information, the Adventure/Adventure Island, Tandem Island and 2011 Oasis have slightly longer cockpits (and roomier). For very tall folks, the Pro Angler and inflatables have lots of leg space available.

Great shakedown story. It just keeps on getting better to. I've been in some "gnarly" water at times and just hunkered down lower and kept on keeping on. If you have occasion to help one of those high windage canoes get back home some time, keep them up close and beside you. Or at least on your stern quarter. Only because it allows them to see how effortless it is to get them back to the dock....

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Yakkingaway
Portsmouth, VA

I'll have to keep those roomier models in mind for my next Hobie!
Thanks

Great story. Would be fun to get some pics of the eagle.

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.