Santa Cruz Kayak G2 preview

Jim Martin keeps innovating on his original SOT Raptor, now with a Hobie Mirage drive. It looks like it has good speed and the huge stern cargo area is screaming Halibut!

I have been following that on other forums.  I am down to a G2 or the Eddyline C-135. 

I wish a Hobie would track that straight without the rudder down.  Now if only you could put that drive in the Ocean Kayak. That would be the ultimate combo. If I were a manufacturer of lower end models, I would have made a cartridge like that an option. I have been working out how to put one in my wooden SOT, but I think he just made my job easier. I will just buy his cartridge thingy.

15 feet and 28 inches wide and 70 lbs. It would scoot with a mirage drive and it tracks straight as an arrow.

According to their FB page they state the paddle version is $1540.  Pedal drive components sold separately for a claimed $240.  Considering a Mirage drive is $610 I would assume the "drive components" are just the adapters.  Add that all up and it's $2390 (plus some shipping) to get a pedal drive G2. 

Wonder how it will stack up on specs and performance against the Hobie's.  If it's got the speed of a Revo 16 (claim is it's "fast") and the stability of a PA (original was supposed to be standable) that would be a slam dunk winner.

I have been following the thread on the NCKA forums. It's awesome and a total innovation what he's done in a relatively short amount of time. From the sounds of it they want to make adapters for various different drive systems as well.

I'm pretty sure the G2 will be my first Kayak.  I'll be interested to see more reviews on it.

I have been following the thread on the NCKA forums. It's awesome and a total innovation what he's done in a relatively short amount of time. From the sounds of it they want to make adapters for various different drive systems as well.

I don't know how innovative it is. He has basically copied the many, many other people have modded paddle craft for the Mirage drive. People have been doing it since the V1 drive. I have even seen one put in a kevlar canoe. For fiberglass, wood, and kevlar craft, you just need a well that is higher than the water line made with some epoxy resin, fiberglass, marine ply, sander dust, and a jigsaw. It is a smart idea on his part to use the idea for a commercially sold plastic craft. I hope he does well with it. Hobies are getting far too expensive for what they are. It would be good to see some more competition amongst the pedal drive folks.

Hobies are getting far too expensive for what they are. It would be good to see some more competition amongst the pedal drive folks.

QFT.

The stability of twin tail and the huge well make it perfect for loading up big Hali

The stability of twin tail and the huge well make it perfect for loading up big Hali

   Thanks for the heads up Lilriverman.    I get so caught up on NCKA, Facebook I barely have time to visit up north here.     Mono-hull, there's no "twin tail" in this model.
   I'm hoping to make it to the ORC this year.  Last time was the 2012 trip, which except for the thick fog rolling in was awesome.  This time I'll have the Lowrance Elite 5 with the handy see thru fog chart plotter... and a better understanding of the area's currents.   

    The G2 is freaking fantastic!   That video was only the second time in the water for me with it. The first time ever using the mirage drive.  I'm a long time paddler.. guess it's going to take me a while to get used to pedals.   
   Took it out this last Saturday fishing.  I'm using one of the first molded kayaks ,that was a blem. ( saving the good ones for customers )   turned out there was a leak in one of the scuppers... LOL    had to head back to shore just as the bite got hot.      One thing I discovered that day cutting through the heavy kelp beds is the fins lay flat against the hull, which allows the kayak to glide over the kelp without having to pull the drive unit.   
    Going to measure the speed with a GPS later today.  Also hoping to get some better video footage.
 
     That's the MSRP for a paddle version.  The adapter, rudder and controls etc add 250.   If you understood the costs of all this,  you wouldn't think Hobie's are all that "overpriced".    Sure,,, we could  make them cheaper ( China ) , if you don't mind stuff breaking all the time.    I'm a long time boater.  When you're on the water, the last thing you want to deal with is product failure, especially when conditions turn ugly.. 
  I can ship them direct, and will gladly offer a package price to NWKA members.
  Would love to get some  people up there representing . Contact me directly through the website, or phone 831 661 0947 
Thanks
Jim

Thanks for posting up, Jim. I'd be really interested to see how the speed compares to a Revo.

Looks pretty cool. Any surf landing would be an adventure with the square stern.

   This, much better video than the one I made.

Cool. Any idea of the cruising speed? Also, I could see that rudder being on the small side for heavy swells or tight turns. Any thoughts on having a larger optional rudder?

  I've got to find a nice calm spot to get a good speed avg reading.   Always seems to be strong current and wind each time.   We raced a guy in a Viking at a Dallas demo event  Paddling.   He beat us by only one boat length over a 200 yd sprint.
     Rudder can always be altered or changed.    If you want to turn tight circles, this isn't the boat for you.  It's meant to do distance and track straight getting you there.