Convinced! I'm bringing an anchor.
Mirage Drive Users
(40 posts) (20 voices)-
Posted 7 years ago #
-
Some important issues here.
1) There is a fundamental tradeoff between complexity/sophistication and robustness/reliability. The Mirage Drive is seductive in its breakthrough design and performance but does NOT conform to the KISS mantra. So you need insurance/redundancy. Maybe the paddle is enough -- if you're willing to use it for upto 299 miles to KL or drop out, whichever comes first.
2) Anchors are cheap -- and SIMPLE -- life insurance (and boat insurance). It's one thing if you're staying close enough that you can swim to shore even in the worst scenario (including injury?) -- and is that even possible Ft. deS > KL??). Otherwise, the anchor could be the only thing separating you and/or your boat from an impromptu major deviation from your float plan -- bring your passport and some extra water (also heavy)! Or at least from a USCG "incident"
-- and no Triber wants the hassle, publicity, carbon footprint, and taxpayer expenses associated with that, if they can possibly avoid it by simply bringing an anchor.
Or rationalize it this way: 1) it weighs less than that second (or third) crewmember (though it does make good moveable ballast), and 2) without it, you'll lose optionality, and generally have only 2 choices: sleep ashore with all manner of varmint -- winged, wingless, 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, 100-legged -- and even legless
-- or sleep once you get to KL.
RS,
DKHT
Posted 7 years ago # -
Here's some oars on a multihull: http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9842
I'd like to try that but not on this trip. That wouldn't be much help with coming about like the mirage drive is either.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Wow - try to buy an spare mirage drive right about now! I ordered one from the big Texas dealer a month ago. They put it on "two-week" back-order. Today they announced it will be arriving in May. As if !
Posted 7 years ago # -
One would expect the dealers to be dumping their "old" model mirage drives for the new and improved model (10% better! ; ) )
Guess not .
We have two in the TI and would take a whole complete drive if we had it. Instead we'll take the spare parts kit and be very careful with the drives close to shore . We learned our lesson.
DockWater (Curtis)Posted 7 years ago # -
There's a couple on Ebay, version 2, turbo and one regular. Here's the turbos http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hobie-Cat-Kayak-Turbo-Mirage-Drive-v2-Complete-New-/331414681934?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d29dab94e
I bought a V2 from that Texas dealer a couple of months ago. They advertised it as a factory refurb and were only shipping the newer version for new drives, but I don't know if they had any in stock at the time. I wanted a V2 to share parts with my other drive.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Thanks. I think I've located one at a different dealership. Don't know why I didn't look on Ebay - I'm always on there looking through the boats for sale, and for toner cartridges for this big laser printer cranking away behind me.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Is there a reason that noone is considering the new drives as an option? I was seriously considering buying one and keeping the old drive as a replacement.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I had a new one ordered, but it got relegated to back-order hell. Maybe they are generally available in Florida. It will be interesting to get a look at them on the new boats on the beach.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Just wondering, has anyone used the new one and what is the difference? Lighter, smoother, stronger etc.....
Seems if some of us are using the old drives we should get like a 6 hours head start over the new drives....ha!
Posted 7 years ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.