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 Post subject: Which fin to buy and use
PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:50 pm 
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Joined: Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:39 am
Posts: 858
Location: Bairnsdale, Victoria Australia
Mickey and I are hankering to go even faster in our Adventure Islands whilst under peddle power so have decided to upgrade our Mirage Drives.
Q. For speed, durability,convenience of use and versatility, do we purchase the ST fins or the Turbo ones?
Would appreciate the advice of the experienced members here...Pirate


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 2:39 pm 
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Joined: Thu May 25, 2006 5:17 pm
Posts: 203
Location: Ettalong Beach, Central Coast, Australia
I guess it depends on your muscle tone, and usage. There is a tad more effort on the turbos, and most folks seem to be happy with that, for the additional efficiency. I hardly even fit the mirage drive, these days. Its faster to sail with it out, and I gybe turn anyway.

Geoff.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 3:00 pm 
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Joined: Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:25 pm
Posts: 2863
Location: Central Coast NSW Australia
Pirate,
Hobie don't make a fin that fits all your criteria! :wink:
I have found that the ST's allow me to cruise about 1.5km/h faster than the standard fins and the Turbo's about another 1.5km/h faster. This speed increase requires more pedaling effort but at a lesser cadence.
I prefer the Turbo's as I like the slower cadence and they offer better lateral resistance when in the centreboard (down) position. However being 50mm longer they are more prone to hitting things, need deeper water to fit/remove, are less durable and put more strain on the drive/hull. Having an 09 model though, the last point may not be an issue.
The ST's are a great compromise and have none of the negatives of the Turbo's apart from durability.
IMO though the positives of the Turbo's outweigh the negatives! 8)
This question is often asked and a search of the forums will give you more info. Here's a start:
http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=10718
http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=10133
http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=10567


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 3:09 pm 
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Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2007 9:21 pm
Posts: 2498
Location: Central Florida
When you're ready to buy, try the turbo fins, you'll never go back.

Kayaking Bob


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 4:16 pm 
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Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:07 am
Posts: 619
Location: Punta Gorda, FL
We used the standard fins for several months before upgrading to Turbo fins, and both of us really like the Turbos. Haven't tried the ST's.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:19 pm 
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Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2003 7:35 pm
Posts: 1369
Location: 315 N. Hwy 79 Panama City Beach, FL 32413 850-235-2281
i've been using the turbo's on all my boats for a while. I do switch out once in a while with a another demo drive, just to convince myself turbos still rock!

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 9:30 pm 
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Joined: Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:39 am
Posts: 858
Location: Bairnsdale, Victoria Australia
Thanks heaps guys. You have already convinced Mickey who has already sent me an email telling me that after reading your posts and through him today, we have already ordered the turbo fins. Now you see who really wields the power between the two of us, but I suppose after all he was an officer and reminds me that even though retired now he continus to hold the rank. Between you and me, being in that league too he seems to have plenty of money to spend even if half of it he spent this time is mine....Pirate :wink:

And oh..Stringy...I did get the cryptic mesage :wink:


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 11:09 pm 
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Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:36 am
Posts: 837
Location: Gippsland Lakes Victoria Australia
Pirate wrote:
Thanks heaps guys. You have already convinced Mickey who has already sent me an email telling me that after reading your posts and through him today, we have already ordered the turbo fins. Now you see who really wields the power between the two of us, but I suppose after all he was an officer and reminds me that even though retired now he continus to hold the rank. Between you and me, being in that league too he seems to have plenty of money to spend even if half of it he spent this time is mine....Pirate :wink:

And oh..Stringy...I did get the cryptic mesage :wink:


I appreciate the feedback too guys. It really is difficult to know what's best without actually trying them all. :roll: Even then it will depend on how and where you use the AI, as well as personal fitness.
Pirate loves to tell everyone that in a previous life, I was an commissioned officer. However, we all know that you cannot live in the past and I for one have no intention of doing so. In my present life on the forums, I am a humbe Captain, whilst pirate has attained the superior rank of Admiral - not to mention that he is a Lord of the realm :P :roll: :wink: Being in that league, he rightly has an image to maintain and so his AI is transported on top of a Mercedes Benz. :shock:
As for having plenty of money - pirate has very recently acquired a very nice Olympus 1030SW camera to capture images of our adventures in paradise. I don't think he's stuck for a quid himself :lol: :P

Mickey


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:23 am 
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Joined: Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:39 am
Posts: 858
Location: Bairnsdale, Victoria Australia
LOL....Pirate :D :D :D


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 1:00 am 
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Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:32 am
Posts: 1807
Location: Terrigal NSW, Australia
Hey Pirate,

A quick bit of consumer feedback. I just took delivery of a new Turbo fin kit, which my dealer had to order from Hobie. When I went to install it, it turns out it is for the old model drives, not the V2 sprocket. While poking around the forum to find out what was wrong, I find that it is an absolute mongrel to get the new threaded masts out of the sprockets. I certainly couldn't budge mine (dont have a set of vice grips).
http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewt ... highlight=
Methinks when I return the fins in the morning, I might just ask for a set of ST fins, which use the existing standard masts.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 3:42 am 
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Joined: Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:39 am
Posts: 858
Location: Bairnsdale, Victoria Australia
I wonder if your masts took a bit of a pounding when you had the Mirage Drive problems a few weeks back Chris. Hobie may put the mast in with locktite but should unscrew with a little persuasion I am hoping...Pirate


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 4:23 am 
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Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2003 7:35 pm
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Location: 315 N. Hwy 79 Panama City Beach, FL 32413 850-235-2281
Pirate wrote:
Hobie may put the mast in with locktite but should unscrew with a little persuasion I am hoping...Pirate


If its and early boat it will take a lot of persuasion, and I mean a lot! The problem has been fixed at Hobie and they use much less locktite in production.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:04 am 
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Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2005 10:46 pm
Posts: 3017
Location: Escondido
Double padded Vicegrips along with your screwdriver and a little elbow grease should do it. Don't forget the Loctite on the new set -- better too much than too little!8)


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 Post subject: To paraphrase "Jaws"
PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:25 am 
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Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:00 pm
Posts: 68
"You're gonna' need a bigger fin" ...........Turbos


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:30 pm 
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Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:32 am
Posts: 1807
Location: Terrigal NSW, Australia
I wrote:

Quote:
I just took delivery of a new Turbo fin kit, which my dealer had to order from Hobie. When I went to install it, it turns out it is for the old model drives, not the V2 sprocket.


Just to exonerate my Hobie dealer from any blame, I went into the shop when the boss was out, saw the Turbo kit hanging on the wall and grabbed it. The young fella minding the shop took my word for it that it must be mine. It turns out the V2 Turbo kit is now on backorder. I settled for a set of ST fins and no hassles.

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