@BoozTalkin said:
I occasionally paddle with Watertriber, Doobird. He’s a kayaker, but built his own craft, dubbed the Patuxent Queen, for the 2016 Florida Challenge. The PQ is lots bigger than any kayak we paddle. How’d he power that 1200 miles in 25 days? Yep, with a Mirage pedal drive. He was worried about the drive malfunctioning in shallows and weeds, but only suffered a single breakdown. You can read about his trip and see some photos of the PQ: http://watertribe.com/Magazine/Y2016/M05/UltimateFloridaChallenge2016.aspx
The point is, whether we consider it kayaking or not, the pedal drive system is a serious alternative for moving a boat through ocean, rivers and bays. Not to mention, you can fish while doing it.
It’s good to know that the fins can be broken somewhat easily. Around here on my favorite river all the rain and “moderate” flooding have been constantly rearranging the underwater obstacles. Just yesterday I had my paddle grabbed by a sunken tree in a new spot. That’s always good for a quick shot of adrenaline. The river also decided to spit out this tree by one of our put-ins (hmm…this wasn’t here 2 days ago).
Still, I’m getting more intrigued by the pedal option and the propeller design also sounds interesting. I don’t go on Lake Michigan with my canoes but a pedal kayak sounds good for cruising along the coast.
The Hobie fins will fold up against the hull if you push the pedals to the limit. Good for beaching but you have to do it in advance. Also the the whole pedal system can be pulled out of the hull while on the water.
@grayhawk said:
The Hobie fins will fold up against the hull if you push the pedals to the limit. Good for beaching but you have to do it in advance. Also the the whole pedal system can be pulled out of the hull while on the water.
Thanks again for the education. I think I’m having a “right brain vs left brain” debate. I got disinterested because I thought I’d have to spend a fortune to upgrade my rack system. Then I found everything I could possibly need on Craigslist for bargain prices. Then I realized the 4-Runner would never fit in the garage with all that kayak stuff on the rack and if I tried to use the CRV my wife would reclaim the 4-Runner. Then I remembered that the rear window goes down on the 4-Runner and the kayak would probably slip right in and also help avoid the sky high lift. So the right brain is ahead at this point.
I’m tall and have only tried one. My knees were on my nose. My inseam is 34" which is not uncommon but I thought the pedals needed to be a foot further out.
