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 Post subject: Race Nov. 3
PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 8:56 pm 
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Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2005 10:46 pm
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Location: Escondido
Another Dam Race Nov. 3. Eleven miles down the Colorado River near Parker AZ and one of the few opportunities for Hobie Mirage Drives to participate in a racing event. http://www.anotherdamrace.us/

This is a pedaling race, not sailing, but as most of you know, the TI and AI hulls are Hobie's fastest. We went to this last year and had a great time! There are Hobie pedal categories for singles and tandems. There is no white water or obstacles -- just a lazy river. Entry fee includes lunch afterwards, raffle drawings and awards in lots of categories.

Since very few Hobies entered last year, whoever came won something. This is a pretty big race with entrants from several western states, and also includes OC 1, 2, 6, surfski, kayak, different categories of SUPs, men, women, mixed and age categories -- something for everyone and a exciting assemblage of watercraft! The weather is usually pretty good there around that time. There are both camping and motel accommodations available.

In any case, if you ever wanted to experience a (non-sailing) racing event, this is a great opportunity! Hope to see you there!! 8)


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 Post subject: Re: Race Nov. 3
PostPosted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 10:26 pm 
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By golly, there is another Hobie tandem (and a single) in the race! That's practically a fleet! Just a reminder that it's not too late to join the fun! 8)


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 Post subject: Re: Race Nov. 3
PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 11:41 am 
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Joined: Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:16 pm
Posts: 605
Location: Colorado
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjrVEA1glmo

I googled that race and this video turned up. It looks like in the comments that the boat is a Tanden Island???

For a while, it looks like you can see the shadow of the boat being paddled rather than the mirrage drives used (plus at least one mirrage drive strapped to the hull).

But the interesting thing is that who ever that was in the Hobie passed a lot of surf skis with outriggers. I thought the surf ski were faster just under human power but I guess not.

We may do that route this winter but probably not during the race and with the full TI setup. Possibly pedal sail down, then motor back.


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 Post subject: Re: Race Nov. 3
PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 12:26 pm 
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Joined: Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:25 pm
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Location: Central Coast NSW Australia
That video is Roadrunners from last years race. It was an impressive result that would have shocked a lot of the other competitors! 8)
https://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/view ... 4&p=296962


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 Post subject: Re: Race Nov. 3
PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 1:48 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:16 pm
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Location: Colorado
Interesting about the weight distribution in that other thread.. must also be related to what you (Stringy) found with motoring front to back seat.

Roadrunner, Im curious about the mirage drive you can see strapped to the front of the boat. Around 45 seconds, it sort of looks like the shadow of a paddle but Im not sure. Were you both using the mirage drives and that was a spare or paddle in the front, mirage drive in the rear or???

In about a week I will be spending the winter about 30 miles from there.. Dang.. I think I may have asked earlier but can you trailer launch and retrieve at both the start and finish?

If you are coming from California and staying at the end (Az side), it would be easy to trailer across the river via the bridge near the end point and drive to the start on the California side. But coming from the east, you cant take a trailer across Parker Dam so would have to drive all the way to the bridge near the end then drive back up to the start.. Not a huge deal but some hassle. Way less hassle however than trying to car top so that we could drive over Parker dam.

If we do this later in the winter, we would just launch at River Island state park - maybe 1/2 mile down river from the start.


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 Post subject: Re: Race Nov. 3
PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 5:03 pm 
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Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2005 10:46 pm
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Location: Escondido
walt wrote:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjrVEA1glmo
I googled that race and this video turned up. It looks like in the comments that the boat is a Tanden Island???
Yes -- just the main hull. It is sometimes referred to as a TA (Tandem Adventure) in that configuration.
Quote:
For a while, it looks like you can see the shadow of the boat being paddled rather than the mirrage drives used (plus at least one mirrage drive strapped to the hull).
Good eye! We pedaled all the way, but we also took turns paddling. Since everyone else in the race was paddling, it seemed like the thing to do -- helped us blend with the crowd! When in Rome....
Quote:
But the interesting thing is that who ever that was in the Hobie passed a lot of surf skis with outriggers. I thought the surf ski were faster just under human power but I guess not.
Most of the outriggers you saw were OC 1s and 2s. They're generally not quite as fast as the surf skis. We did pass 3 surf skis, but there were at least 7 that beat us! -- They're the fastest (not including the OC 6s).
Quote:
Roadrunner, Im curious about the mirage drive you can see strapped to the front of the boat.
We carried a spare Mirage Drive (just in case), but didn't need it. We needed ballast in the bow anyway, so we stored it on the foredeck.
Quote:
In about a week I will be spending the winter about 30 miles from there.. Dang.. I think I may have asked earlier but can you trailer launch and retrieve at both the start and finish?
The launch point is the River Lodge Resort. Most of the larger boats are trailered. There is a launch ramp there, but it might be easier to offload the boat by hand. There will be plenty of help available if you come for the race. We plan to roll the boats in, bring the wheels and roll them out at the finish, then load them in the parking lot. The finish is at a beach at the Blue Water Casino, but I think they do have a launch ramp also around the corner -- you can Google it.
Quote:
If you are coming from California and staying at the end (Az side), it would be easy to trailer across the river via the bridge near the end point and drive to the start on the California side. But coming from the east, you cant take a trailer across Parker Dam so would have to drive all the way to the bridge near the end then drive back up to the start.. Not a huge deal but some hassle. Way less hassle however than trying to car top so that we could drive over Parker dam.
I'll be coming from CA and staying in Parker, will drop the boat off at the River Lodge on the way Friday. My partner and other Hobie tandem are both staying there and will watch the boat. If you want to do that as well, it will be no problem. If you're coming across hwy 62 you would turn North at Parker Dam Road on the CA side. If you're coming South from Havasu, the Parker bridge is no problem for trailers. It would be exciting to have you join the race, especially since you 'll be in the area -- it's quite an event! And you don't have to paddle if you don't want to. 8)


stringy wrote:
That video is Roadrunners from last years race. It was an impressive result that would have shocked a lot of the other competitors! 8)
https://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/view ... 4&p=296962
Thanks stringy! It's a good thing we videoed the race -- no one would have believed Hobies could compete with those guys. Of course, there were a number of boats that finished in from of us as well. :lol:


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 Post subject: Re: Race Nov. 3
PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 5:36 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:16 pm
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Location: Colorado
Hmm.. some of our Havasu friends did that last year. One on a SUP and another on a OC 2.

FYI, these are athletic women we hike with ranging from 60 to mid 60's and very likely to leave my wife and I way in their wake.

It does look like a lot of fun and that is a scenic area (not to mention the food and party after).


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 Post subject: Re: Race Nov. 3
PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 6:40 pm 
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Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2005 10:46 pm
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Location: Escondido
walt wrote:
Hmm.. some of our Havasu friends did that last year. One on a SUP and another on a OC 2.

FYI, these are athletic women we hike with ranging from 60 to mid 60's and very likely to leave my wife and I way in their wake.

It does look like a lot of fun and that is a scenic area (not to mention the food and party after).
There are not many opportunities to link up with the paddle community, so it's mostly about the experience. They're a fun group! Racing down the Colorado River is pretty cool, especially without a lot of motorboat traffic.

The paddlers love to compete, but they also like to have a good time. There is a bar along the route with a wharf. One of the women's OC-6 teams, shortly after passing us, pulled their 45 foot boat up to the bar and ordered beers without ever leaving the boat. Appropriately refreshed, they passed us again within about 10 minutes. They might not have won, but I'm sure they will treasure the journey!

There are also "kayak" and "recreational" divisions in the race. IMO, anyone who participates takes away a great experience regardless of where they place. I'm sure your Havasu friends would agree! 8)


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