2010 Mokai initial "cruise"

M

moabarch

New member
For those who own Mokais, thought I'd give a bit of an update on the 2010 model.
Nancy and I have taken the new Mokais out twice now on the Colorado River here in Moab. We started out going upstream a few miles to gain our confidence. then this past Sunday we went downstream about 10 miles, had a picnic on a sandbar and jetted back up to the boat ramp. I have to say, this is the only boat that's gained even more attention than the C-Dory. It's also the most fun we've had power boating, except for the C-Dory, of course. We got back up the 10 miles in about 40 minutes against the current - not bad. I'll have a GPS with me next time to check speed. I can't compare the current Subaru engine with the prior Honda, but this sure lived up to my expectations with power and speed. Fuel burn was very good - much less than a gallon.
 
My only problem with Mokai has been the Manufacture not following up on promises of the $100 to the present owner of a Mokai for their being primarily instrumental in someone else purchasing one. I know our names have been mentioned in a quite a few new Mokai purchases and we have not received a cent or break in part purchases from the factory. The promise made by the Manufacture is not something I think they should have done or needed to do, but once made should have been followed up on. The reason I think it wasn't needed is they like the C-Dory are something the happy owners will speak highly of without money incentive. The only reason I mention this is to point out I have zero reason to extol anything about them other then how well they have worked out for us.

Most all C-Dory owners have been use to being stopped by people asking about the C-Dory, but since bringing the Mokai along it is about 5 to 1 Mokai to C-Dory the point of extreme interest.

In these two cruises on the road to start and back home and while on the water at every port and most anchorages where other boats were present we were questioned over and over with many times at the start of these sessions thinking it would be about the C-Dory.

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=6392
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=6392

We have now towed the Mokai for over 3500 miles behind the C-Dory and have put many hundreds of miles on it in some of the most remote beautiful places imaginable.

The Mokai has the best return on entertainment for money spent of all the purchases I've made.

Tom and Nancy, hope to see you at Oak Canyon, Lake Powell where we along with Jody can compare the different engines in the Mokai.

Jay
 
That sounds like a blast. Was it all flat water or did you try some rapids? How far down is the confluence? I tried mine on the Weber River it was a blast, I did reach a rapid that I didn't dare to try because just down stream from it the freeway runs with the river and there are a bunch of concrete pilars in the river. I didn't want to get sideways on one of them.
 
No offense to our C-Dorys but it seems that a houseboat on Lake Powell with half a dozen Mokais would be a fantastic way to see a lot of the lake! :?:
 
We did indeed try a small rapid - say 1-2 foot riffles with some rocks to avoid. The boats handled that water just fine. Most of the remainder was flat water except for about 20 minutes when the wind kicked up pretty good and we had a strong headwind with some building small waves.

We likely will not be able to meet up on Powell this year. We'll be launching early on the 20th at Bullfrog and getting off the lake just 4 days later. I'll miss meeting a lot of you.

I would like to invite all Mokai owners to think about getting together in Moab for a Colorado River trip. If you haven't been down the river here, it's like Lake Powell but with a river instead of a lake!

Also, if in the future anyone thinks about buying a Mokai, I can help save on shipping. I arranged my own and saved over $100 vs what the factory wanted.
 
Really! This is off their website FAQ.

What is the seating configuration?
MOKAI is best used as a solo craft. Seating consists of 3.5 " closed cell foam covered in a comfortable UV resistant, quick drying, machine washable canvas type fabric. There are two attached base cushions that can be stacked to allow for 7 " seating height. Side storage bags are sewn to each cushion. Seating for two is toboggan or motorcycle style.

Houseboat and a bunch of Mokai's would be a great way to explore the lake. A C-dory and a Mokai would be more fuel efficient. A what a fun time trying to see just how tight of a spot you could jamb the Mokai into.
 
Jay,

Thanks for writing up your trip. Really incredible, both the narration and the photos. Sorry we didn't get the video (says it has
expired or owner removed. --first few pages)

Mokia sure looks handy.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
360 lbs is the recommended limit. It is tight accommodations for two and only comfortable for a limited time. That said Jo-Lee and I have spent many many hours together in the Mokai around bays, up slow rivers and every time we want to go to shore together on our long cruises. Probably the roughest conditions I've attempted is Lake Yellowstone chop of at least four feet and could do 360 turns with no risk. Been up glacier rivers, other rivers with many rocks and other obstacles also ocean swells and most other conditions one can find in the Inland Passage and off shore. This is photo of Jo-Lee and I together.
PICT0363.jpg

Jo-Lee has very limited use of her shoulders so I have to start it for her and she has to be very careful where she takes it because if she has to paddle her remaining use of shoulders may be compromised. Never the less she loves it.

This is photo of attempting to go up the Llewellyn River to lake and glacier. I'm grounded going down stream after plugging jet and having to kill motor going upstream. The groundings going up stream and recovery happened several times more before this. Used paddle to get turned around before bad things could happen then grounded again going down stream. Was able to shove back off with rocking motion and on second try restarted motor for very wild ride back down stream.
DSC00459.sized.jpg

There is a split in the river here and on going up stream was further to the right in this photo which is where I would have preferred to be going back down. But this is where I ended up in the recovery process so had to make the best of it. This was my last attempt thinking it to risky to continue.

Thanks Harvey and I guess you know that was our 2007 trip with this being the past summers latest. http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=13945 where we again towed the Mokai for over 1500 miles and the glacier river running story is told.

I removed all the videos due to the host Mydea costing me over $100 per year for 250 minutes here on the C-Brats. Didn't mind that when they were being viewed, but by last spring that wasn't the case.

Jay
 
Thanks Jay, and now that you mention it I believe I remember seeing a post to that affect. I just talked to Paul, (JC Lately) and he told me about seeing your Bearus Interuptus experience video's. Scarry.

You two have my admiration for your adventurous spirit. Love the solitude and incredible photography. Thanks for sharing.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
moabarch":878heil5 said:
I would like to invite all Mokai owners to think about getting together in Moab for a Colorado River trip. If you haven't been down the river here, it's like Lake Powell but with a river instead of a lake!
Click to expand...

I think this is the area Tom is referring to. We rafted some of the Colorado in Moab a few months ago. Lots of Native American petroglyphs (sp?) and even Western movie history. I think Thelma and Louise drove off one of these cliffs (really!) It would be lots of fun in a Mokai-the cruise, not driving..you know what I mean.....


IMGP0014.sized.jpg
 
Marty -
that's a good pic of a representative sample of what the river has to offer, though i would say there are plenty of more spectacular sections of river. There is a boat ramp about 15 miles downstream from Moab. Beyond that, there is no road access, so very few folks ever got down there. When they do, it's normally on their way rafting and they don't much stop anywhere in that area, leaving it open to a lot of hiking where you will see nobody. It's about 32 miles from there to the confluence with the Green River. A person could conceivably float down the Colorado and then jet up the Green or visa versa. There was a major rainstorm in Moab a few weeks back which wiped out the access to the Green which is about 60 miles upstream from the confluence, though. So now a person would have to go about 110 miles up the Green to a take out. More practical now would be to float down the Colorado to the confluence where one has access to the Maze district of Canyonlands National Park, hike a couple days, then jet back up the Colorado to Moab. That would make a great 4-5 day trip.][/img]
 
I wonder how these would hold up to the extreme heat and humidity and the corrosive salt water environment of florida . Looks like a neat alternative to a jet ski
The boat would be alright its the engine and other metal parts that would concern me . Any fl. or southern users out there ?Inquiring minds want to know.
 
Weenie! Jay would have zig-zagged right through those concrete pillars! Seriously, I had quite a bit of fun on your Mokai last year!


jkidd":38o7sqsx said:
That sounds like a blast. Was it all flat water or did you try some rapids? How far down is the confluence? I tried mine on the Weber River it was a blast, I did reach a rapid that I didn't dare to try because just down stream from it the freeway runs with the river and there are a bunch of concrete pilars in the river. I didn't want to get sideways on one of them.
Click to expand...
 
I picked my Mokai up at the factory in New York a few years ago. The owner of the company was putting the finishing touches on my boat when I arrived. He said the Mokai was designed to go 10 years with out any major replacements. He said they were almost there at that time. Every thirty hours or so they need to have the bearing for the pump fan greased. They included a grease gun and bottle to measure the oil for oil changes for the Honda engine. I use mine in the Delaware river and can attest they are pretty tough. I slide over rocks and go thru two foot rapids under power. You will wear some water but they have a grilled intake underneath and the engine is air cooled. The engine turns the fan which sucks in water and blows it back out the rear nozzle which moves right and left is controlled by a right handed stick which is how you steer it with a motorcycle twist grip type throttle and a kill switch. I have it on a little aluminum trailer that holds four other kayaks. The Mokai sits lowest centered on the trailers back bone. I can launch and retrive it without having to lift it. I tow the kayak trailer with a Honda Civic. Salt water won't hurt too much but they do recommend a fresh water wash down afterwards. The whole thing weighs 150 pounds and the motor can be removed without tools. They are stone simple no battery. The gas tank holds about 1 gallon and is also easily removed. They will run a LONG time on a gallon of gas. Without the motor they weigh in at 100 pounds. If anyone wants pictures and I will post some on my album with motor in and out. I know nothing of the newer units with the engines other than Honda. Nothing has ever broke on mine yet. The rear nozzle is eaily removed which allows the fan pump to be removed and to clear out anything that got in past the grill. You don't want to run them over anything like seaweeds, excess leaves as the more you clog up the intake the slower you will go. No reverse. Comes with a two piece paddle and padded seat pads with side storage. Cool ride, great for river fishing.
D.D.
 
Pat, know your kidding, but Jody's concern about getting sideways against a pillar is the same as mine against rocks or other river obstacles and the reason I was concerned about plugging the jet on the glacier river. The Mokai is very maneuverable under power and with the aid of paddle added even more so, but paddle alone is not a good thing in a bad river stretch and the reason I gave up on the glacier river. I use the skirt for rough lake water, but on a river with obstacles don't want that restriction if needing a quick exit. On the glacier river wore Mustang Suit with kayak booties.


Good description D.D., only thing I see differently is fuel tank holds three gallons not one.

Concerning plugging the jet intake. If I made direct contact with the glacier silt bottom it would instantly plug the intake and kill the motor where as sea weed, water grass and other types of stuff in the water such as you would find in stagnant water areas would more slowly plug the jet resulting in declining power. In these conditions I've made many trips to shore to unplug usually only having to clear the outside of the intake with fingers. Sometimes just shutting off the motor would work and have even cleaned it without going to shore by turning around and reaching back and under. This can get a bit tricky so usually just paddle to shore. The tendency of the intake to plug is at times a major drawback on how we would like to use the Mokai.

Jay
 
Jay,

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your Mokai experiences, it would be a hoot to see if Jody and I could manage to get into one of those jobs.

BTW, you didn’t miss much by not making it to Prince William Sound this year; it was a rainy windy season. 3 weekends we had to tuck up in some cove or bay while weather improved. One occasion over the 4th on a 5 day adventure we stayed on the hook for 36 hours, thank goodness we had plenty of food and adequate beer rations. The day after the kid went back to school the sun came out and we have been having the summer that never came, too bad the season is coming to an end.

Thanks again for sharing your adventures,

Last weekend on Perry Peak-Perry Island with Ester Island and the Chugach Range behind us; it was one of the nicest days we had all year.
IMG_3123.jpg
 
Jay

Great setting for a family photo. Very few young boys and families today are getting to share the experience's you guys do with the Triple J. Even in Alaska I'll bet your son has some envious friends.

The weather was pretty much like that on the Inland Passage too as I commented on our trip report. We're tentatively planning on an early trip to PWS next spring in late April and May, so hope the good weather continues to hold then.

Jay
 
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