Hey Ya'll
I know Roadie , Havoc , Matt and many others gotta have plenty more experience than I do in riding waves with a Hobie kayak, (see Matts excellent kayak surf video on the hobie site). So thanks for posting all the great information. My question is then, why do these "longer than the wave shape" surf skis seem to work so well in most surf as compared to our Hobie Kayaks ?
Our Hobies look similar to me, in size and shape, to these surf ski things.
Is it their narrower longer hull shape ? (note surfboard nose section in mid right hand of picture)
Is it the lighter weight?
The wide nose, rocker, foil or edge shape or all the above?
These type of Kayak Surf Skis get used in ocean surf paddle races and by lifeguards world wide so they must have some design features that makes them work so well in surf conditions not to mention the skill's of the paddler. (note surfer in background sitting on surfboard waiting for set waves making this most likely a regular surfboard spot.)
I always thought that using the mirage drive to add power along the face of the wave would keep our boats out ahead of the curl while angling on the open face similar to wearing swim fins while using a bodyboard to increase forward drive for instance but apparently that is not the case..! (It seems to work when riding boat wakes)
Just curious at any rate if our Hobie sit on tops can be modified a bit to work better in the surf zone too.
Anyone have any more ideas.. bigger rudder.. use sidekicks... use the sail... strap a boogie board to the back end....etc
Kepnutz