Re: [Paddlewise] Wrist Problems?

Todd Troutman <todd_at_snoofer.com> wrote:
<SNIP>
>>>>This morning I accidentally ran into the Hobie website and their Mirage
pedal
powered flipper driven kayak.  It is interesting that I had seen the hobie
out of the
water once and took it's flippers for some kind of a skeg.  I searched
around and found more resources from  the IWCA site at
http://www.watercycling.org/   Their  manufacturer
links are a look at some extremely thought provoking engineering.
Especially
the wavebike http://www.wavebike.com which totally requires movement for
balance.
Has anyone used these pedal craft and have they been found to be very
practical?  It seems to me that the Hobie and some other models would allow
people with wrist problems or a history of susceptibility to these problems,
to paddle when otherwise they might not.<<<<

I have used both craft for short periods. The Hobie is short and wide and
its unique propulsion system easily got it up to pushing its limited "hull
speed". I'd like to see the propulsion system used in a longer craft. With
the Hobie a kayak paddle could be carried to use for bracing. The initial
stability of the Hobie is relatively high but without a paddle I think I'd
be pretty nervous in rough water (only tried it on calm water though).
Paddling the paddle version of that hull I discovered there wasn't much
secondary stability. The first time I leaned it to time how fast I could
turn it the deck went underwater and hooked the rail so quickly that it was
a good thing I had a reflexive brace or I would have gotten wet.
The Wavebike is the second fastest human powered hull I have ever used (next
to the Sea Saber proa I used to own). If you'd like to get lots of attention
along with your exercise the wavebike is your boat. Observers just can't
believe you can stay upright on such a narrow craft with such a high center
of balance. It make log rolling look like a walk in the park. It was not
hard for me to ride the Wavebike right from the start but some folks took a
little while to get the hang of it. To me it was very close in feel to
riding a bike. I tried a prototype two Fourths of Julys ago. It was not
quite ready for prime time back then. The stabilizers that can be deployed
for standing still needed some minor and major improvements. I haven't seen
one lately to know if that has been done.
Neither would be very practical as a craft to haul a load of gear and camp
out of but the Hobie would do better and also be usable in shallower water
and for low speed poking around in tight places. The wave bike draws
something like 2 feet so you would want to be very careful in areas with any
shallows. You could also paddle the Hobie if you were in areas too shallow
for the hydrosails to work either by leaving them out to the side or
removing the unit.
Hope this was helpful.

Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com



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