Making way...

Howdy,
I will preface this by saying I am putting the cart way before the horse as I haven't even tried a sit on top kayak yet  but I am curious what an average speed with the Hobie pedal drive might be in a reasonably flat ocean without too much wind.
Does paddling at the same time work/help?
Are Government Point N. of Depoe or the Lighthouse out of Newport within a reasonable range of someone in good shape? Having a trailing wind on the way back would be nice!
BTW...I see a Pro Fisherman or an Outback in my very near future...

Pedal or Paddle but I have not had any luck combining the two.  It turns into more trouble than its worth plus you can't opporate the rudder when you have a paddle in your hand.  I can sprint my adventure to just past 8mph and can Cruise all day at 3.5-4.5mph, in average seas, (revos tad slower (but honestly not much), outbacks a bit slower still  and profishermen much slower)
I wouldn't personally go with a pro-fishermen as I feel you lose the handling characteristics kayaks have that are so beneficial off shore. Outbacks are pushing it IMO and I have two. Nobody is "slicing" through wind chop/ swells in an outback/profishermen, not to say they are not great platforms just that they may not be as sea kindly as a Revolution or Adventure IMO.
Government point is about a 15-25 minute run from the hole in a Hobie and the lighthouse at Newport is a LONG run if you exit via the jetties but not that bad via a surf launch however easy surf access can be a tough nut without some scouting.

In the Outback, I had to push it to keep up with Pelagic's cruising pace.  But, I can cruise all day long at about 3.5 mph on the Outback.  I have had it close to six while racing DTS in his Revo, but you really start pushing a big bow wave at about 5.5. 

Outbacks are pushing it IMO and I have two. Nobody is "slicing" through wind chop/ swells in an outback/profishermen, not to say they are not great platforms just that they may not be as sea kindly as a Revolution or Adventure IMO.

Dude, not slicing through, but flying up and over is what makes the Outback fun.  Plus, if the fishing is slow and it is choppy (re: B-10 area) bouncing up and down is fun and keeps your mind off the lack of bites.  Ndogg had half is Revo out of the water when he got a good run at a big wave in Tillamook Bay.   

I too have tried paddling and peddling my Revo at the same time - difficult.  Good paddling technique requires using the legs to brace against as you rotate your torso.  I suppose you could get it all timed perfectly, operating the pedals in time with your paddling, but if you could do it, I doubt you would best your just peddling speed. 

I've always been of the opinion that you buy equipment the next level up from your current skill level. 

I too have tried paddling and peddling my Revo at the same time - difficult.  Good paddling technique requires using the legs to brace against as you rotate your torso.  I suppose you could get it all timed perfectly, operating the pedals in time with your paddling, but if you could do it, I doubt you would best your just peddling speed. 

I've always been of the opinion that you buy equipment the next level up from your current skill level.

Cogent point Nick. I hadn't considered the "push pedal" factor. There would be no way to really get into the paddling groove efficiently. Without you torso there would be no way to add much if anything...
I am impressed by the way you all describe the power of Mirage Drive. When I first saw it I thought "that's a cute little gimmic but there is no way it could be faster than me paddling". Sounds like I was assuming--and we all know what happens when we do that! I can't WAIT to experience the power first hand!

Check the videos on the Hobie site of the Mirage Drive inventor vs Olympic kayakers. Amazing! And the Turbo Fins are even better.


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