Thumping pedals

So, I took my new PA out today. I put the pedals in the next to last hole for the longest setting, but then the pedals would hit the inside of the hull at full extention which would make a thump sound. Every time I push a pedal...thump, push the other pedal...thump, over and over. I tried another setting, same result. Am I doing something wrong, did I somehow screw up installing the fins/pedals into the kayak?

Thanks for any insight.

I think some thumping is normal and I get it some on my Ti. Make sure you have the pedals seated right. The fins angle front to back. My wife has installed hers backwards before. The higher the number on the pedals will give you more leg room. The smaller the number, they come closer.
The pedals should lock when you push them in. I think the levels are pointed forwards in the locked position. This is the basic stuff. I am 6' 1" 235 and I find that I need to pedal with less power. You may need to try the same. At some point there has to be some wasted energy and you could get the same results pedaling slower and with less power. I will let others chime in for their thoughts.

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island

I pedaled my PA14 for the first time last weekend. I experimented with pedal position for max comfort. I heard the thump too, but it was not a factor of where I put the pedals. Instead it was simply pushing the pedal(s) to the end of their stroke. The thump, IMO*, is the fin slapping the bottom of the hull and probably not anything to worry about other than spooking the fish or confusing a submarine's sonar man . Shorter strokes will prevent this. So will moving the pedals far enough away that you cannot push them to the end of stroke.

*I have only pedaled one boat and I have only pedaled it one weekend as of this posting.

The thumping is not good for the drive system as per another post in one of these Hobie forums.
It is the fins hitting the hull and the fins were meant to move water not hit the hull.
Just shorten the stroke....an occasional slap won't hurt anything

Best Answer!

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

You might want to check for slop in the mirage well. My MD from day one, when inserted into the mirage well had slop and would rock slightly in the bow /stern direction when peddling making a thumping noise . I fixed this by simply putting a small piece of self adhesive neoprene foam inside the mirage well cradles where the bow and stern tips of the mirage drive rest and that fixed the problem.

Yak9107...+1 to your reply as the slight "rocking of the Mirage drive" is not uncommon and can produce a knocking sound too....my PA-14 did the same thing and I solved it similar to Yak9107's suggestion.....You can check for this simply by trying to "rock the drive", once installed and locked in the well.

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

Typically only if you pull back on the pedals. Otherwise the drive sits forward while pedaling as each stroke is a forward thrust with your legs. The time this is usually noted is when demonstrating a drive on the beach. Pushing and pulling the pedals by hand.

That said... adding a pad can stop all fore and aft rocking.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Matt...it's true about the Mirage Drive rocking in the well and happened to me while not using the factory pedal straps.....My PA-14 is now two years old.....to date, I have covered more than 800 miles fishing AND I use heel straps from day one....I can report as time has progressed, I believe the hull slightly changes dimensions...could be while stored on my trailer with PVC pipes???
In any case, when new, there was hardly any clearance that would allow the Mirage Drive to rock in the well......this year it became noticeable and solved it by adding a 0.2" thick piece of vinyl to either ends of the plastic stops....now quiet as a church mouse!

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

Mine did it when i used it the first time. Easy fix so no big deal. Remember you also have opposite thrust from the fins. While you are pushing the pedals forward the fins are also trying to thrust themselves forward causing a rocking effect

Ditto here on the pad material. It's an easy fix and makes it a lot quieter.

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Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

So, I found my problem. Apparently it's operater error. Being part Cherokee, I tend to walk - and pedal - using my toes and the balls of my feet, instead heel-toe when walking, or having my feet further in the stirrup when pedaling. So I'm overextending when I pedal. By actually using the product like it is designed, the problem mostly went away. I do get a thump now and then when I'm really cruising. I can't go nearly as fast by adapting my pedal style, though, probably because I'm using different muscles. Will it hurt anything for the pedals to be thumping if I'm not concerned about scaring every fish within a hundred miles away?

Thanks.