Opinions on this motor for mirage drive

[docirv]

What do you think? http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Trolling...item3cd153b8ca

[The Lost Navigator]

Personally, I like to pedal and have no trouble maintaining 2.5-3kts for hours. You'll have to add a 60lb marine deep cycle battery, wiring etc. As the add says, it will run off of any 12V, however, should you use a standard car battery, you'd better buy two. 18lb thrust is plenty and the price looks really good.

[tufnik]

Saw that about two years. Motor has only 18 lbs. Good for calm water, but not enough for open bay water. The smallest Minn Kota has 30 lbs thrust, which I have used on my Trident, and it cost me about $100. I figure, if I were to put a Minn Kota on my Outback, I would go with the 30 and no less thrust. Some guys use 40+ lbs on their yaks. Also, I would do a side mount (located just behind the yaker), not a mirage drive center hole mount. That way, you can use your mirage drive as well as motor power both at the same time. You can switch to either power quickly too. The side mount would also give you better maneuverability and response because the turning thrust would be applied nearer the end of the yak giving you more turning torque. Maneuverability is very important to me, especially when I fish around pilings. Actually, best maneuverability is when I use the sailing rudder with the mirage. Also, your legs can give you very quick strong thrusts (more than the electric) when you need it. In addition, it would also be easier (and maybe simpler) by using the existing Minn Kota handle to control power and turning while sitting in an upright and comfortable position (Looks like you have to learn forward with the well mount installation; Or use a remote?).

Also, the Torqueedo offers well mount and rear yak mount. I would buy the rear mount for three reasons: better steering responsiveness (maneuverability), simultaneous use of mirage and motor, and quick change to either. Torqueedo offers many advantages, even with the high price. One big advantage here is that you don't have to carry around a PITA 50# lead acid battery.

[russ498]

I would also worry about putting a stress on the hull that it was not designed to handle. The Mirage drive system was engineered to fit in the hull in a precise location and to exert torque in a precise direction and area. If you deviate from that, you may have issues. Hobie's have had problems with cracking in that area anyway.


Also, if you hit something while you are under way, the motor does not have any type of kickup mechanism. I could see the potential with cracking or tearing the hull if the motor is firmly attached and does not give.


I would stick with something that this rear mounted. I have a Torqeedo on mine and have nothing but good things to say about it. I do not use it much. I have it more as a backup, but it will push the yak through just about any wind or current conditions with no problem. Plus, it only weighs thirteen pounds including the battery.

[DOGFISH]

You may want to take a look at these. You will still need a deep cycle battery. However, the motors are 30lb and 46lb thrust. Cost is more than the one you posted but less than an evolve.

http://www.islandhopperoutboards.com...ve-system.html

[Shady]

torqueedo is the only way to go

[nay_sayer]

Or this....

http://www.amazon.com/Lehr-Propane-O...d_sim_sbs_sg_3

Only 37 lbs.

[tufnik]

Or this....

http://www.amazon.com/Lehr-Propane-O...d_sim_sbs_sg_3

Only 37 lbs.

Dang! I wonder if anyone put that thing on a yak.

[Memory Maker]

Or this....

http://www.amazon.com/Lehr-Propane-O...d_sim_sbs_sg_3

Only 37 lbs.

Wonder it they can they convert it to Methane

[Memory Maker]

Doc .......... are you trying to automate breaking the mirage drive mounts?

The center mount would be ok for your type fishing as longa sa you don't hit something .......... you lose the use of the Mirage drive too and you don't gain any space ......... remember the battery will also take a bunch of space and weight @ 60 lbs .......

The evolve on your rudder would give you alot better service but it's more money .......

[Yak Fish]

The mirage drive well has enough problems handling the stresses it was designed for...this will certainly automate the process of cracking the hull :-)

[docirv]

I think the force from our legs pushing at a moderate fast rate especially with the turbo st fins puts more pressure on the drive well than the motor.

[Shady]

I got my first outback used and the previous owner ran the torqeedo in the mirage well. I ran it that way for a few trips and then switched to the rudder mount. Less than a year after buying the kayak a crack developed in the drive well, it was a 2010 hull. Luckily, the great folks at Hobie honored the warranty and I got brand new hull. I think running the Torqueedo in the well may have contributed to the crack developing there.

[kevinfry]

here is a non fossil fuel option

[tufnik]

I agree with doc. The most severe stress comes from the legs. The legs (especially from 200+ pound guys) can put out a lot more force than the electric motor. Although wells have been known to show cracks, I think they are few and far between compared with failed mirage drives. I heard of a guy bring in failed drives twice to the dealer, and his well was OK. The electric motor exerts pretty much a steady force, and the force is shared by each well mount. Most of the time the yaker is going about 3 mph steady. The mirage drive stress alternates the force on the well mounts from the alternating leg pumps. High cyclic stresses are quite damaging in that minute cracks/voids can develop and propagate. I don't believe the electric motor is more damaging than leg power. Anyway, as I stated above, I would opt for a side or rear mount option anyway.