Found the answer in the forum

I had asked in my first posting "Mirage Pedal Drive Fit" if anyone had a problem with the mirage drive rocking front to back when locked down into the drive well. Dating back to 2007 there have been a few postings with the same problem. One of the fixes was to put pieces of hose or tubing over the mirage drive knobs to take up the void. A great fix if I bought my Hobie at some weekend swap meet but I paid top $$ for what I thought was a top of the line product. I expect it to be perfect. I understand that a kayak here & there could get past the quality control.
When I get my problem resolved, I look forward to telling the forum. ---Bill

Rocking fore and aft is expected. Most drives do this. This is not a "problem" it is from a designed-in tolerance to allow the drive to properly lock in the well. It has to lock in under the knobs or click-n-go levers before seating fore and aft. Since the drive rests forward when pedaled... it is a non-issue. This is typically only "seen" when "rocking" the drive while not pedaling. You would have to pull the return pedal aft harder than you are pushing the pedal that is moving forward to make it rock while pedaling. In that case... you can add padding if desired to reduce the rock.

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

Matt, Thanks for your reply. In my line of work I deal with tolerances every day & in my 32yrs. of machining I have never come across specs. that allowed me a tolerance of +- 1/4-3/8". When deciding on a sleek new kayak my hrs. of research took me to the Hobie Oasis. In early Aug. we rented a demo Oasis for the day. Now I could see all the working parts up close & I was impressed--the mirage drive, the rudder system & how it was able to swing onto the back. When I locked in the mirage drive, I was sold. The rock solid fit, everything precision in my opinion. I felt very good with the decision to buy our own; so quiet, smooth & built so well. The next day we made the deal. I could have purchased the rental for $800 less than new. My wife was leaning that way but I was willing to spent the extra $ to get that rock solid machine fit without the scratches & dings. Three hrs. later on the lake & I was back to the dealer, disappointed. If my new oasis would have been the demo, I would have decided against the purchase because of the excessive tolerance inside the front drive well. This is why we're having this conversation. I love almost everything about my Hobie Oasis, just not this hull that I'm now stuck with. The inconsistency between the front & rear drive should be an indication that this is a problem that needs to be looked into. One, a machine fit, the other a loose & sloppy fit. I am a perfectionist in my job & it is only natural that I expect the same from the purchases I make. ---Bill

For a guy who claims to be a perfectionist in his job, your non-precise allegations here are rather puzzling. First of all, you surely realize that there is no such thing as a minus drivewell gap. Evidently you didn't actually measure anything or you would not have sloppily reported +/- 1/4 to 3/8".

Secondly, the Oasis is not a machined product, nor does it purport to be, nor would anybody possibly mistake it for one.

Thirdly, in your other post you made some additional non-precise and unsupported claims...

You've been informed by the manufacturer that this gap is not a problem, but a design characteristic and normal feature. Since you already researched this "problem", you know how to stop the Drive from rocking if it truly irritates you, but instead offer a bunch of wouldas, shouldas and couldas.

So what's the real problem? Are there leaks, cracks. malfunctions? Is there something that prevents you from taking this kayak out on the water for some enjoyment for which its designed?


If this is what your actual problem is, it has nothing to do with any gap. You likely have the pedals adjusted incorrectly and are smacking the fins against the hull. Try adjusting the pedals forward a notch or two until that they no longer knock. Perhaps then you can get past this non-issue and enjoy your boat.

Gee, Roadrunner, I would almost think that someone stole your ID here and posting in your place. You are usually helpful, though somewhat of a Hobie geek.

I see a man who rents a kayak, finds it to is liking, and then buys one only to discover it is not like the one he rented. I don't find it odd at all that he is disappointed.

As for his 1/4 to 3/8's example, I believe he was just quoting his Hobie dealer who gave him that measurement. Perhaps the clicking he says is the drive rocking back and forth, and not the fins hitting the hull or pedals scrapping the sides of the kayak. Mine don't rock. Certainly not evident from his statement. Maybe it is, and he shortens the pedal length and then fails to get that full stretch you have so recommended in prior posts.

You working for Hobie now? .......................ck

_________________
Never argue with an idiot, they will just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

Roadrunner,
Thanks for the lecture & advice. I think I can now get on with my life.---Bill

Bill, sorry for the negativity. Clay is right -- your issue with Hobie is none of my business. Good luck and best wishes for a successful outcome.