Hobie Cat Forums

Looking for opinions...

I have a 2008 AI with the standard fins. I am not unhappy with the fins but have been considering moving up to the turbos. Is it worth it? Is the grass really greener on the other side? Is it worth the $100ish? Why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways....but I digress.

I am sure the next question from the forum will be "how much pedaling do you do?". I typically sail but I have starting doing a lot of trolling for fish and at times I find it more advantageous to pedal. Of course when the wind dies I pedal too.

Thanks in advance for your input.

ScottR

As long as the extra length isn't going to cause you too many problems (shallows) it's a no-brainer... YES GO TURBO!

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http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

(amazing what you kind find on the InterWebz ...)

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Alan W.
'07 Hobie Adventure Island #1
'07 Hobie Adventure Island #2 Golden Papaya AI LadyJane
... both in Golden Papaya
'06? Hobie Outback SUV

My dealer lent me a set to turbos to demo. They were awsome, no brainer.
I changed the V1 sprockets to V2 while I was at it.

HI GO TURBO GO TURB0 GO TURBO did you get that ???? GO TURBO

I have an Outback fitted with ST fins ,that I have been using for 4 months . Ive also been wondering about TURBO fins as they arent much longer than the ST fins .
Well last week I gave up and bought turbo fins .
THEY ARE FANTASTIC my pedaling cadence is more relaxed , yet my speed is faster . This week end we fished off shore , and I could quite "easily" catch and pass younger paddlers who were 400 yard ahead . (Im 67 ) Once back on shore a youngster that I was fishing with ,mentioned how impressed he was with the Outbacks speed ???? We all know that the Outback isnt renowned for speed after all it is a fishing platform . At no time was I pushing hard , just a relaxed cadence . This modification is WAY better than ST fins ,compared to std fins the improvement will be OUT OF THIS WORLD .
So incase you are still wondering ? GO TURBO GO TURBO GO TURBO
you will be very happy how much easier it is to peddle

Whats the V1 and V2, I think I am missing something.

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Don
Las Vegas NV
2012 Yellow TI

I went turbo!!! I will but them on this week and try it out.

V1 mast are held in place with a hex bolt and the V2 masts are screwed in. Change to the V2 mast occurred in mid-2008. I have the V1s.

Thanks for the advice.

ScottR

Yep - should have done it a long time ago.

Quick question - How tight do you keep the out-hauls on the trailing end of the fins? I have them adjusted pretty tight and while the speed was great and the work out induced a nice "burn" in my legs, I am wondering if I shouldn't loosen them a bit. I will experiment.

Thanks

Scott

Scott, I'm sure Roadrunner will jump in if he sees your post. Meanwhile, here's his definitive post on the subject. Bottom line, looser is better.
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=10176

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I raced 16 miles aginst two AIs that used an extra chain link to make there turbo fins very loose. They were really fast.

Hi I have set my wings very loose ?
This week end we had adverse kayaking weather but still went fishing off shore . I managed to easily power with the younger leaders ,even against the current and rough chop. A big tuna and current washed me way down the coast , resulting in a
long peddle back to the launch site . The current and wind were against me but I persevered , on the way back I stopped peddling and used my paddles UGHHUUUUR how prehistoric !!!!! After 20 yards of failing about like a drunken soldier . I carried on peddling and put the paddle away . How antiquated paddling is !
I managed to catch up to two of our group ,who had abandoned paddling back to the put in ,because the conditions were rough and they were exhausted . They were heading straight towards the beach . Just before the put in I caught and passed two others of our team . I have to admit that I was a little stiff . But I am at least 40 years older than the other guys and had peddled a least 5 miles further than the others .
I must say that the more I use the mirage drive ,the more confidence I have in it

Watch out! This is also a warning. If something is happening to your Mirage Drive, you have a different boat. You can also see it like the distance to land and safety is prolonged in the very same moment your Mirage Drive fails.

br
thomas

Thanks Kal-P-Dal It is amazing how easy and confident you get with the Mirage drive
Even though I have Turbo fins I dont PUSH the limits of the drive . Mind you just peddling easily cadence ,you still travel fast .
Thanks for your concern
Paddling SUCKS