It's taught me to thoroughly dissect a spot, much in the vain of Bill Murphy.  It's not as difficult, or time consuming as you'd think.  And, I'm often surprised by how many fish are in a spot.  I've been experimenting with reversing the Mirage drive, as well.  Basically, paddling in, giving them a flick when needed.  It's not 100% easy, and you do need one hand free to do it, but it takes seconds. The 180 system is easier (I've used it), but Hobie kept the price target at $2000, and 180 would have meant making a sacrifice somewhere else (probably the seat, which is great).

12 hours ago, J Francho said:

It's taught me to thoroughly dissect a spot, much in the vain of Bill Murphy.  It's not as difficult, or time consuming as you'd think.  And, I'm often surprised by how many fish are in a spot.  I've been experimenting with reversing the Mirage drive, as well.  Basically, paddling in, giving them a flick when needed.  It's not 100% easy, and you do need one hand free to do it, but it takes seconds. The 180 system is easier (I've used it), but Hobie kept the price target at $2000, and 180 would have meant making a sacrifice somewhere else (probably the seat, which is great).

It's good to know the "testing" you're doing. In terms of using anchors,

I've done that so much, and much prefer using my TM and anchor stick.

Obviously, we make do with what we have. I'm know I'd make due if I had

the Compass or Pelican with only FW drive. When spoiled with a TM, it is

a little hard to consider going "backwards", so-to-speak  .

 

When I'm again in the market for a new yak, the Compass and Pelican

will likely be on my radar. Until then, I've gotta make due with what I've

got or my wife will give me a permanent bed in the dog crate in the 

utility room!! LOL.

Riot Kayaks @ ICAST - pedal kayak at $999

 

AND!! Will fit Hobie drives?!

 

 

I changed the Topic title to reflect thread better since adding more pedal-driven yaks.

 

FeelFree Dorado.

 

 

Old Town Topwater Series PDL Kayak | ICAST 2018 $1999

4 yr warranty on the drive, lifetime on the hull. Looks really nice.

 

 

NuCanoe Flint

 

 

 

Jackson Kayak Big Rig FDHD

 

 

On 7/5/2018 at 7:30 PM, Darren. said:

Mirage Drive patent expired, I guess.

Actually, the old, original design patent expired because Hobie has greatly improved the design to the point it's obsolete. In fact, they had to get a new patent on the better version because it changed so much.

 

 

The Riot Mako price point looks good. Been trying to get my brother out on the water with me. Maybe it'll entice him.

 

The new St Croix Mojo Yak series rods kind of caught my eye as I already have a Yak. 

 

 

I have been watching the icast vids on these new pedal drive yaks. I think I would buy the pelican catch 130 hd since its using the orginal hobie drive. you can definetely do up grade drive which is 100% compatible. Next would be the mako which "so they say" that their drive well can fit any pedal drive, also since it is $999, thats a pretty good deal. 

 

BTW...I love my compass ?

 

Dude, rectangle hatch?

I was actually disappointed at the Pelican's pricing of their pedal drive. $1499 seems a bit much as the paddle version of the catch 120 is around $750, half the price. The pedal drive costs as much as the kayak?

30 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

I was actually disappointed at the Pelican's pricing of their pedal drive. $1499 seems a bit much as the paddle version of the catch 120 is around $750, half the price. The pedal drive costs as much as the kayak?

Yes

 

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

Dude, rectangle hatch?

yes....is that good or bad?

Just that mine is round.  I really dig the bigger hatch you have, though.  Maybe they made a change while in production:

 

 

 

actually no, I bought PA hatch kit when i bought my compass. I moved the circle hatch to the front where there is a mold you can cut out.

 

https://youtu.be/4Ti-Jpy734I

20 minutes ago, sc1978 said:

actually no, I bought PA hatch kit when i bought my compass. I moved the circle hatch to the front where there is a mold you can cut out.

 

https://youtu.be/4Ti-Jpy734I

Perfect mod!

2 hours ago, NYWayfarer said:

I was actually disappointed at the Pelican's pricing of their pedal drive. $1499 seems a bit much as the paddle version of the catch 120 is around $750, half the price. The pedal drive costs as much as the kayak?

If you buy the Mirage separately, I think it's around $850.  I don't have the pricing in front of me, but it's in that neighborhood.

11 minutes ago, J Francho said:

If you buy the Mirage separately, I think it's around $850.  I don't have the pricing in front of me, but it's in that neighborhood.

Mirage sans reverse starts around ~$620 on up to ~$840 for the 180,

at least that's what Austin Kayak lists...

Are there any Riot Kayak dealers in the states? It seems like they are all in Canada or Europe. Have they said when this $999 will be available for sale?

That still says Montreal is the closest. 

9 hours ago, archman said:

That still says Montreal is the closest. 

Closest to what? GetOutdoors down in NC is closest to me, and 

they are listed as a Riot dealer though their (GO's) website doesn't

yet indicate it. Likely means they are a dealer on paper until they

buy stock.

 

You can buy them on Amazon, but that doesn't help with getting

a feel for the yak first. Plus the 10' is just over $1k there, likely

due to Amazon's Prime "free" shipping  costing $150. Edit: or

it could be in Canadian dollars?

 

Montreal is also home of Riot, where they're made. You'll get better

info on their Facebook page, they'll even answer your queries.

 

https://www.facebook.com/riotkayak/

 

 

Edited July 22, 20187 yr by Darren.