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Tips for a Newbie to a Hobie Kayak
http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=47649		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  rohm [ Sat May 18, 2013 6:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Tips for a Newbie to a Hobie Kayak
I recently picked up a 2006 Hobie Revo 13 kayak as my first attempt with a MirageDrive kayak. I’ve used a paddle for years and I’ve always been jealous of the guys flying past me on a Hobie. Being new to the sport, I thought I’d ask for a little advice from the experts here.

I took it out for a test drive a few days ago and I loved it. Since it’s an older and used kayak, I noticed a few things that needed some work. For starters the MirageDrive was a little beat up. The repairs I plan to make to the drive are:
1. Replace the idler pulley and cable
2. Replace the standard fins with ST fins

I was wondering if there are any good guides online for replacing the idler pulley and cable or are the instructions included with the parts good enough.

The original seat that came with it is also in need of replacement. Given the age of the kayak, I’m not sure which current seat will work with it. I’d also like to add an iComfort pad to the new setup, so any recommendations for the appropriate products are appreciated.

The rudder is my last concern with the kayak. It’s working fine once it’s in the water, however, retracting it seems to be a little rough. Any tips on fixing this issue would be great. Since working with one of these is new to me, any general tips and tricks for maintaining it are also appreciated. Thanks!
Author:  RevoThims [ Mon May 20, 2013 10:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tips for a Newbie to a Hobie Kayak
Don't mean to hijack the thread, but really just including myself in the same category as Rohm. Also just picked up a Revo 13 that was a Dealer (closing his doors) Demo here in Salt Lake. While its in great shape overall, I do have a cracked drum on the rudder. I have scoured the forums, the Web, Hobie resources, etc. and while hoping to just replace the specific parts, it looks like the rudder is only available as an assembly. Can any of you Hobie veterans confirm this?

Other than that, I have the usual dried out bungee cords, net gear pockets and so forth. While my first and only other kayak really has nothing to adjust (Ocean Kayak T-11), I'm looking forward to fixing up the Revo prior to her maiden voyage, as I am a retired (US Army 15R) helicopter mechanic/technician and believe I will enjoy the rudder rigging adjustments and other intricate workings of the Hobie. Like Rohm above, I too have longed for a Hobie and am glad the opportunity has finally came along to join the ranks.

Looking forward to meeting many of you in the forum, as well as eventually in person, while angling from the new (new to me) platform. Any tips and help are always welcome and for reference, my user name on NWKA.com is CastIronTrout. Thanks in advance...Dave :wink:
Author:  stobbo [ Mon May 20, 2013 7:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tips for a Newbie to a Hobie Kayak
Generally speaking rudders and Mirage drives alike benefit from a cold fresh water wash and the occasional squirt of WD40 and for most people that's more or less the extent of the regular servicing.

On the main kayaking forum list you will find a separate static forum called Mirage Drive FAQs - in here you should be able to find the collected wisdom of all on the subject of how to set up, maintain and generally mollycoddle your Mirage Drive.

I am not the expert on the Drives (that honour falls to RoadRunner) but I think I am reasonably confident that:

There are approximately 3 versions of the Mirage Drive in common circulation and when it comes to following the advice and/or buying replacement parts it will be useful to know which version you have: Stainless Steel with Cotter Pin Masts/Plastic with Set Screw Masts/Plastic with Screw-In Masts.

On these there are at least two different types of cable - the original ones had full threads on the adjustment screw-ends; the later versions have flats on the adjustment screw-ends and there are different versions of idler cable, possibly 3 but I am not sure - screws at both ends/screw at one end with possibly different lengths of both. The later ones are much easier to adjust. And there are also different lengths of cable depending upon which drive version you have - this applies in particular to the idler cable. Until you are familiar with what you have it would pay to check & recheck what you intend to replace with what, preferably with a well-informed local dealer (where you can take in an old part for a direct comparison with its intended replacement) - otherwise you might get it wrong and find yourself having to return one bit for the correct bit which, if you don't have that friendly neighbourhood dealer available and onside, will cause delay and frustration.

The Hobie Parts catalogue (available for download) lists all the drive parts individually but it does take a bit of getting your head around.

Final note: when you replace the cables, replace the nyloc nuts at the same time - this will help prevent the drive from falling out of adjustment due to old tired nuts slipping (like my tired old nuts always seem to do!).
Author:  Yakass [ Tue May 21, 2013 11:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tips for a Newbie to a Hobie Kayak
This Miragedrive service guide I cobbled together a few years back will make cable replacement fairly simple. You'll also get a heads up on a bunch of other things you should probably become familiar with: http://modernkayakfishing.com/articles/71-hobie-miragedrive-service-and-maintenance
Author:  rohm [ Sun May 26, 2013 3:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tips for a Newbie to a Hobie Kayak
Thanks for the advice and for the links, that's been very helpful. I was able to get the idler cable and pulley replaced without too much yelling at it. Swapping out the fins was even a breeze.

I got it out on the water today for the first time since the fixes were made and everything was smooth sailing. Next I'll attempt to tackle the rudder and seat replacement...

Many Thanks!
Author:  RevoThims [ Thu May 30, 2013 4:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tips for a Newbie to a Hobie Kayak
Stobbo and Yakass, you've both provided a wealth of information. :) Cheers!
Author:  stobbo [ Thu May 30, 2013 9:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tips for a Newbie to a Hobie Kayak
my pleasure: what goes around comes around... 8)
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