Hobie Mirage Kayak

T

thataway

Active member
I suspect that this has been addressed in the past, but I could not find it specifically in the search.

Does anyone have experience with the Hobie Mirage --either the two person model or the inflatable two person model and use on the CD 25?

As some of you know, we gave up sailing and kayaks because of back problems. I realize that the Hobbie are not as effecient as the better sea Kayaks, but for the $$$, they seem like reasonable value, especially with the flipper leg powered system. I also like the idea of the auxillary sail and the inflatable option. (although I have some reservations, with probably PVC fabric).

Any comments or experience? My interest was arroused by the multiple Mirages in Dana Point where I sent part of the last few weeks on my CD 25. The Mirages were everwhere (including right in front of the boat on several occasions....the kayak "paddlers" didn't seem to grasp the concepts of rules of the road and darting out from behind moored boats.

Thanks in advance.
 
Bob,

Good info on product reviews at canoeandkayaks.com and also various kayak sites.

Bad points...heavy, need cart, dry storage inadequate, hatches too small, impossible to paddle without rudder, although that isn't why you want it.

Early models had a problem with the metal bracket that the rudder line goes through. Sail in only light winds, use the new 20 square foot sail, winds over 10 knots will put you stable 2 immediately.

You may be trading a bad back for bad knees.

Good points....extremely comfortable, tried one with high back seat. Has good initial stability and fair secondary stability. Must keep head above butt. Very fast, I never understood why that was important in a yak. Great fishing platform, both hands free to remove hook from body parts. However unable to use in skinny water.

As to the rules of the road, we kayakers seem to spend a lot of time getting ourselves into bad situations and then not wanting to look overly stupid, try and bully our way out ignoring basic seamanship. Don't ask me how I know this. The advent of the sit on top yak has allowed many people to get in over their heads.

I would not buy this yak used, too many things to go wrong. Hobie has an excellent warranty program but it is my understanding that you must go through your dealer. Hope this helps.

Don Z
 
"Bad points...heavy, need cart, dry storage inadequate, hatches too small, impossible to paddle without rudder, although that isn't why you want it.

Early models had a problem with the metal bracket that the rudder line goes through. Sail in only light winds, use the new 20 square foot sail, winds over 10 knots will put you stable 2 immediately. "

My brother and I each have the Adventure model, 3 and 2 years respectfully. We love our boats, use them on the Ohio River, creeks, lakes and on a couple Florida trips. Because it's leg power you can go much farther, much faster than all but the very long narrow sea Kayaks.
Because of their mechanical parts they are less reliable than your typical kayak with no moving parts, but they are simple to work on and Hobie's customer service is first rate.
I must disagree a bit with some of the "Cons" listed above. The newer models have plenty of interior storage (not always completely dry) and good hatches of adequate size. They made improvements over the early models. How they paddle is based on the model you have; the Adventure is 16' long with a narrow profile, it paddles just fine with the flippers tucked up and rudder up. I can paddled mine all day long with out a rudder. The Outback model is wider and is a poor paddler, the paddle wants to hit the sides, this will hinder you more than the rudder issue.

Yes it is heavy and I use the built in cart to roll it into the water, the cart wheels stow on top while your out.
I use the optional inflatable amas while sailing for additional stability. The amas make it virtually impossible to flip, I've even fashioned my own jib for added sail area, without problems.
I take mine out in the Ohio River early on Sunday mornings when the river is like glass, sip my coffee and do a tour of 12 mile island, a loop of about 8 miles. Very enjoyable. You can out speed and out distance all but the fastest sea kayaks, which still assumes they are in really good shape.

The mirage drive is actually higher torque than top speed, medium effort gives 90% max speed, to go 10% faster requires 90% more effort. I towed a 16' bass boat 1/2 mile back to the ramp that ran out of gas. A friend has a canoe with a 40lb thrust trolling motor for fishing, I can tow him faster than go on his own. Pedaling against current is no problem at all.
 
Hi Bob

I have a kayak and it bothers my back on extended paddles. I don't know if peddling a boat is like peddling a bicycle but if riding a bike doesn't bother you then maybe the mirage will be ok. You can probably rent one to.

My back problems have forced me to change my surfing. I have found a stand up paddle board (sup) eliminates my back pain from surfing. Surfing sessions are now 2-3 hours again.

So I know you don't surf but I mention the stand up paddle board as an alternative to a kayak. On my board I can use it for surfing, windsurfing or as a kayak. I can even put a cooler on it. They would make great bringalong vessels cause they weigh around 40 lbs, could easily be mounted on your cabin roof. Once you know how to paddle it, there are very few kerplunks, but that is part of the fun.

But best of all, since I started stand up paddling I have lost 20-25 pounds, brought back mussle tone from highschool days and generally have a smile for days from the tight mussle feelings. I am 56.

Anyway sup's can be rented in Dana Point as well. A Hobie shop is nearby. They can help you get started.

Best regards

1tuberider
Jeff
 
I saw a hobie with the flipper being used in a lake in central oregon. The guy using it was policeing an area used for a triathalon. I talked to him at length about it and watched him maneuver it for over an hour and it seemed like a great kayak. He told me he had had it for several years and loved it. I could tell it was very maneuverable and pretty quick. I was surprised at how stable it seemed to be. The hands free part looked like a great feature.
 
I have the Hobie Mirage Adventure Island sailing tri hull option. I love it! I have spent over 9 hours at a time cruising on it. It loves high winds 25 mph etc, but you have to trim sail which is very easy since the mast just rotates as you pull a line.

By itself, the Adventure Sea Kayak is very easy to paddle and pedal. All the Mirage models keep course well, but that makes them tough to turn extremely sharp for white water , etc., but the Mirage is not designed for heavy whitewater. Even the fairly narrow Adventure sea kayak is very stable laterally.

The adjustable back rest that comes with the Adventure works well on supporting my back, even semi-reclining, but the straps slip over time. some ppl tie a knot in the straps to hold a certain position. I find myself varying the seat back adjustment from straight up to about 45 degrees reclining and about halfway between that. I think one could beef up the back support or order a differing brand name back support. My only problems with it come after hours of use when the seat to back hinge area gets really soggy and can work up on you. You can sit side saddle, or spread legged, or keep your feet inside, or on the pedals.

I love the sailing feature since it allows far distant cruising say, 30-40 plus miles each way in a day without getting very tired.

The Adventure hull alone weighs about 72 pounds, I think. The side Akas/Amas add about 30 more pounds, but are easily removed even while in the water. It is the narrowest of the Mirage models and the easiest to paddle or pedal due to that feature.

I rebuilt my rudder to correct an easy weather helm tendancy, but Hobie sent me a free, new rudder last year when they fixed the problem. I never had much problem with it anyway, it was just that if you let loose of the rudder, it would turn to weather faster so you had to keep a bit of downwind pressure on it all the time. Now, you just set the rudder and forget it unless winds are over 20mph.

I don't understand anyone saying the Mirages are not good in high winds. Yes, the big waves and wakes go right over the top, but the kayak itself is rock solid stable in heavy seas. You might have to hold your breath a few seconds, though!

I mainly keep mine on the dock and leave from there, but I am thinking about mounting those Yakima "Hully Rollers" on the bowrail and fore roof rail to more easily load the kayak.

Hobie honors their warranty well, there is a great users site, somewhat like a mini C-Brats site, and the dealers will send you the parts you need quickly and you can easily get step by step instructions for all kinds of repairs and modifications.

I've had my Adventure Island Mirage for over a year now and still love riding it in winds 20 plus mph. It is a real hoot - tons of fun, very stable and safe. Large amount of storage to my thoughts - it has a recesses "truck" area that holds a large milk crate, four rod holders, a big hatch right between legs for food and pumpout, navigation gear, and water bottle holders, and removeable 'belly' pack back seat pouch.

When loading, you only lift half the weight at a time. You can hold it sideways on the side of your boat by two looped straps also pretty easily.

John
 
I guess I should add that, having sailed so much in the tri-hull, Adventure Island model, pedalling for very long is not so much fun compared to sailing. Pedaling is easier than paddling, though. Neither is a lot of work, but keeping up pedaling for 5-9 hours gets old. Sailing for 5-9 hours does not get old - it's a hoot!

Also, turning sharp is easy if you put the dagger board down to create a pivot point.

John
 
Regarding kayaks and back problems I should note that being able to sail lets you change your position widely and frequently and I think that is what relieves back problems. I do know it is easy to get yourself into an uncomfortable back situation on a kayak, pedaling or paddling. The sailing lets you sit straight up or recline waaaaay back with the seat back pushing into your lower back and that feels great. I don't think I'd buy one I couldn't sail.

John
 
Great responses! Thanks guys! Actually we have a dealer here in Pensacola. I suspect that they rent the Mirage, since they rent Hobie Cats and other boats. However this is "off season"--it was down to the mid 20's last night!.

I definately knew about the rentals at Dana Pt--and may rent one there, before I do in Pensacola, since the rental was not far from the slip where I had the C Dory 25 (thus the frequent encounters with the novice "flippers"). Good points about trying the boat and its sail before purchase.

Any one try the inflatables? They may be easier to transport, but I am sure that they will not paddle as well.

Surfing--actually I started surfing in the early 50's in Hawaii, but have not continued to do that extensively--and we took wind surfers on our long distance cruising boats and often used teaching how to wind surf as an great introduction to people in out of the way places. Some great stories and memories about that!

Thanks to all!

Bob
 
Well, almost a year later I took the "plunge"--or rather the peddle! I have been looking at several versions of the Hobie Kayaks--and we liked the newer Revolution--almost as fast as the Advernture (which DrJohn and several others own)--stable and considerably lighter. We were going to get a tandem--either inflatable or rigid, but they were just too heavy to lift and stow. We got our Revolution today--and it handles very well. Yes, we got the sail kit--not rocket, but it is a suppliment--there are also some other interesting "sails"--even traction kits, which will work well with this Kayak.

Since I have an independant wife--we decided that we really needed two boats. The second one is the 9 foot inflatable--again a single person boat, but lighter weight--and when we are both together, Marie gets the easier to paddle Revolution and I will take the inflatable--plus the inflatable is much easier to stow for cross country trips.

DrJohn. Did you put the Hurrley rollers on the Tom Cat? If not how are you carrying it?

I'll have both boats at the Gulf Coast gathering for anyone who wants to try them out..
 
Dr. Bob,

I never bought the Yakima Hully Rollers. I mainly use the combination of Hobie Adventure Island (3 hull sailer) and the TomCat on Grand Lake in Oklahoma, so it is not in oceanic conditons that I've been towing and carrying the kayak.

One reason for the delay in attaching specific holders and helpers for loading and tying down the kayak is that Hobie now has a special set of fiberglass cradles that will load and hold all 3 hulls at once (in a trailer) without the need to take the Amas off and stow the metal Akas, etc. separately.

On the lake, if I am going very far, I just hang the kayak sideways against the gunwale from lines off the roof rail, and let it down when I reach my anchor point. I bought a cheap set of bicycle hanging blocks with nylon line that pulls it up, then tie off. This would probably not be a good idea at sea.

For me it is easier to load the single kayak hull from over the bow rail and that is where I was thinking of attaching the Hully rollers. I have the soft, balloon-tired transit set that plugs into the kayak hull for pulling it around on land and I am now thinking that, if a guy putt two sturdy fishing rod holders on the bow/stern rail to where you could plug those soft tire into it, that would be the best way to load and unload canoes, kayaks, whatever. maybe even another set near the roof or one wide roller on the cabin roof area.

My current plan is to get a set of the cradles and then mount the fishing rod holders to hold the beach wheel set or sets (if I use two, which I am considering)

The stability of the 3 hulled Adventure Island allows me to change positions a lot and thus to cruise long distances sitting sideways, lengthwise, reclined, or upright and to eat, photograph, etc., even stand using the mast for stability.

I am intrigued by the inflatable models you have.

Thanks for posting,

John
 
The gray set of beach wheels has quick release hubs so you can easily pop the wheels off and store the entire rig INSIDE the kayak hull.

John
 
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