Hobie Mirage Outback - Peddle Yak

[David Smith]

Hi folks,

I have been extensively researching the various websites, shops, and opinions of others to make a decision regarding the purchase of a kayak for fishing. Mostly I will be doing light ocean/inlet and large pond/lake fishing with it. There is one boat that has captured my attention thus far that I would like opinions on. Specifically, the Hobie Mirage Outback. It's beggest advantage is the ability to pedal it or paddle it. Anyone who owns one or who has fished one, please share your comments.

Thanks in advance, so far I am still wade fishing the Farmington river -- caught over two dozen browns and rainbows in excess of 11" this past weekend, so anyone who wants to fish there let me know!

David

[paulyfish]

Hi-
I had somebody paddle by me on the Shrewsbury river in one of these boats earlier this year.It seemed like it would be perfect for flyfishing. Your hands remain free of the paddle and you can still hold your position and move around. Now, if it just came in a sit on top model...
P

[David Smith]

Paul,

Thanks for your input. The latest model of the boat is indeed a sit on top. It's called the Mirage Outback and it was designed specifically for anglers. It has for molded in rod holders, an anchor, a molded in bait well and tackle box holder. I am going to look at one tomorrow, I'll post my impressions here.

Thanks again,

David

[windknot]

David, this thing looks cool.
http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/models_outback.html
When you're looking one over, see if you can tell how tough those flippers are. I paddle over some large mussel beds in shallow fast water and would have great concerns if those things weren't very tough and/or easy and cheap to replace. Some of the web pictures show the boat on the ground so I assume the flippers sort of fold up out of the way next to the hull. Pretty impressive looking, I hope you get the chance to paddle one and let us know how it goes.

Nice work on the Farmington, this rain should get the rivers on the NH border back up to a respectable level. Now if only I could stop chasing those damn striped fish in the salt...

[David Smith]

Below are independent reviews of this boat that I found on another board, along with an attached photo of the boat:

Submitted by: Roger
03-11-2002
I bought my Mirage back in 1999 as an excercise device and use the boat an average of twice a week. I put a lot of miles on this boat. I upgraded to the newer dual density fin drive system after about a year - Hobie mis-drilled the holes for the tension cables on early drives and replaced it for free! I had to upgrade the rudder lift as the handle is not heavy enough for high usage levels and it began to fail. I also had to replace one of the "cam" knobs that hold the drive in place. Regardless, I am truly amazed at how durable everything is considering the amount of use. The hull is not the most efficient but is pretty stable (to a point) and I have perfected the art of getting in and out in deep water (hint: detatch the seat strap on the side you are getting in on - which should be on the left [no control lever] side). I am an avid diver and ease of getting in and out is essential. This boat, like most sit on top's, is not good for swift water. I have been ejected many times due to the high center of gravity also the hull "rocker" does not lend itself to quick manuvers. Storage is poor and I would like to see a revised rear waterproof hatch that would give access to the full area behind the seat. If you want to camp, plan on putting eyelets on the front deck to bungee waterproof bags.
Let's talk fishing - this is the ULTIMATE fishing rig. I made a dual rod holder that fits under the seat (ez in/out) and can troll the hot spots with ease. I can cast with a rod in one hand, troll two in my holder, steer with my other hand and peddle all at once!! This ability confounds my "paddle only" friends who are fighting with trying to paddle and hold a single rod at the same time. I also rigged up a battery powered sonar rig (again ez in/out) to do depth checks for "holes".

No boat does it all - the Mirage does more than most and with the dual power - upper body (paddling)/lower body (peddling) capability you can get a great workout and out endure any paddle only boat. The dual power option allows me to stay up with and beat kayak buddies 10 - 20 years younger than me - especially on long trips. I find it amazing that there are not more of these out there! These boats are not cheap, but as a frugal buyer, I can honestly say no purchase I have ever made has yielded the return on investment of the Mirage. I wish Hobie would make an upgraded model (Kevlar?) so I could justify buying a new one. I honestly liked the boat so much I bought a Hobie Cat as well.

One last thing - there are four (4) other "must haves" for kayakers (IMHO) they are: 1) Thermarest "camp pad". I tried all kinds of foam, pads, seats, gel's etc. and this little pad is the ultimate seat (regardless of price) and it can be had for less than $20., it even beats that thick black air kayak seat (and doesn't screw up your center of gravity - it is THIN) - be stupid, don't get one! 2) Sony "sports" SRF-87 pendant radio - I have bought at least a dozen small radio's all and this one beats them all and is perfect for kayaking - best of all it "plays for days" on a single AAA battery - try it you will like it. 3) Ortlieb "Boxit" (HB Mobil EBox) waterproof cell phone case - don't waste your money on other cases this is the one (I have others). It is not cheap but it allows you to use your phone while in the case (GoreTex membrane) and really is waterproof (I have dropped mine in the water many times - even held it under with no leaks) add to that several "attachment" options (belt clip, lanyard etc.) and you have safe cell phone communication while on the water and 4) last is the Zeiss miniquick 5x10 moncular (with lanyard option). Great Zeiss optics and lifetime guarantee if it gets dunked. I actually bought the top of the line 10x25 but for most folks the miniquick is great (at 1/3 the price).
Rating: 10 of 10

Submitted by: Jim D.
09-14-2001
I've used the Mirage in the Gulf (Siesta Key) and on our small lake. It is a FUN boat and extremely fast for the effort. It is also WET - very small waves will splash in your face if they are from any quarter. The hand operated rudder is difficult to use when paddling because it is so responsive and requires a lot of attention.
Rating: 8 of 10

Submitted by: Wavewriter
06-13-2001
The Hobie Mirage tandem kayak is our third kayak. My wife and I bought it because of the pedals -- to get a lower body workout while kayaking. We love this kayak. It's heavy but it doesn't matter because we live on the beach and only have to carry it a few feet to the water. The North Shore of Oahu, where we live, is surf-less in the summertime and ideal for ocean kayaking. I have taken the kayak solo into a school of dolphins, who stuck around to see what the strange beast was up to. (The pedals power flippers underneath the hull which the Hobie literature says resemble penguin wings, but to me they look like green sea turtle flippers.) My wife and I regularly visit the turtles off Haleiwa harbor. They, too, seem curious about the craft and come right up next to us to check us out. My only caution: be careful not to get hung up on a reef or rocks. We did once and actually bent the rods on the flipper mechanism. I straightened them back out, but ever since then we've been very protective of these machines. The Mirage is not real common in Hawaii yet, so we get a lot of attention from other kayakers and people on the beach.
Rating: 10 of 10

Submitted by: DDDS
05-31-2001
I have a 14' tandem Mirage with 2 pedal drive units (1- fore and 1- aft position). After the second time on the water, I found that the boat is difficult to load and unload from the top of my truck shell with even two people (It weights approx. 70 lbs w/o the drive units installed). You wouldn't want to hand carry the boat very far either. After have saying that, once I had it in it's natural environment, it was all worth it! The kayak is very fast via pedalling and the rudder is highly responsive. With the pedals in the maximum spread apart position will allow the craft to navigate in water as shallow as 12" deep for exploring. The seat was extremely comfortable during hours of operation. The pedaling drive units are very easly installed and removed by hand- no tools req'd. It handled quite well in windy conditions with white cap waves, I found this boat a blast! Once I figure out how to manuver the 14' Mirage on land and on top of truck, it will be even more enjoyable.
Rating: 10 of 10

Submitted by: JMS
04-09-2001
Just got the kayak in January and in March spent a full week and a half using the kayak on the intracoastal waterway and in and around Hilton Head Island. The boat is quick. I'm a cyclist, and with a nice steady leisurely pace, you can maintain 4 mph. (GPS) The boat handles quite well, is fairly stable, and although I was in and out of sawgrass, weeds, and all that, never managed to get the fin mechanism stuck anywhere. I did as much as 5 hours of continuous travel each day. There are 5 different positions to set peddle travel (usually only 2 will suit a particular individual, but it allows for all sizes of peddlers). The boat never failed to turn heads, especially other kayakers.
Rating: 10 of 10

Submitted by: Dale
10-28-2000
It's quite the clever boat. We stuffed the front hatch with bedrolls and the back hatch with food and cruised into the Great Dismal Swamp. Sweet Becky hogged the Mirage. I got the Summersong canoe with the tent and drybags. The canals and Lake Drummond are perfect for the Hobie, and all quiet water boats. The lake so perfectly mirrored the sky that the boats seemed air-borne. Away from shore, we disturbed some large fish (maybe gar), while pedalling silently. Had the fish jumped up rather than sculling down, Becky might have tested the stability of the Mirage. So, due in part to the wisdom of the fish, she never got wet. We learned about the boat. Carry your leatherman swiss army tool. If you ding a fin on a cypress knee, pull the cotterpin and turn it around. And: you can't really paddle and pedal at the same time. The pedals move you so fast that the paddle has nothing to do. But keep at least a single end paddle for a reverse gear (and gar defense). And: the pedals really do fit backwards. For the adventurous among you, pedal/paddle into Drummond on the night of a full moon. Perhaps you will see the ghost of an Indian princess carrying a firefly lantern.
Rating: 10 of 10

Submitted by: ---
05-04-2000
I own 8 kayaks and live on a non-navigable river and this boat fits my needs well. I bought it to give non-impact exercise to my arthritic knees and I always feel looser and more flexible after peddling hard. You can match the length of your "kick" to the stiffness of your knees and always be able to lenghten your stroke as you loosen up. The speed is remarkable upriver even in a rain swollen current. I give this kayak a 10 rating for its innovation alone. Hobie Alter has done it again!
Rating: 10 of 10

Submitted by: jahn.m
03-23-2000
If you want a fun kayak that can go fast this one is great. It is the only peddle kayak on the market that I know of. Hobie has done a great job with the design of the kayak and the engineering of the rudder and peddle systems. The hatch behind the seat will not leak but the front hatch will leak a little. This is nothing to worry about though. I have used it for weekend camping trips and had a great time. While on one trip I towed two other fully loaded kayaks. I did not work any harder doing that than I did when I was just by myself. If you get tired of peddling you can always paddle or if you want a work out you can do both. Like I said this boat is loaded with fun.
Rating: 10 of 10

[Wes]

David Smith,
If you've done extensive research you'd know that it's not a popular fishing kayak. I can't say it's not the right choice for you. I would suggest sticking with a kayak that is already being used by a lot of kayak fisherman, there's a bunch.

[joev]

Dave I agree with Wes.
I have fished over 300 hrs this year out of the yak and can say I would not want those flippers hanging off the bottom.
It would harm your skinny water fishing(One of the best places to take a yak) .Even when I am fishing in the rocks I am constantly sliding onto rocks.
Dont know if they could stand up to the abuse.
Mussel beds in fast water might tear them up.I would do some more research before you spend the dollars on a yak with no fishing pedigree.

JoeV

[challis]

Dear David- i just read about your Kayak investigation of a few years ago. What was your decision and how did you make out? Challis

[joev]

Challis
They have a new model out called the Adventurer.16 ft.
Rumors about a new 13 fter also.

JoeV

[LeeG]

We have one and I hate fishing it. It's very narrow and extremely tippy when your trying to turn around, cast, etc. I have a pungo with which I much prefer to fish. It's not even close!

[Tie-Dye-Fly-Guy]

I surfed and lurked for a while on kayak fishing sights for my purchase. Indeed i shelled out almost twice as much than basic pungo. First i chose SOT for my own personal reasons, and which i suppose you will develop your own. I am happy with my kayak. it has saved me countless thousands in "boat expenses" and has paid for itself as a fishing taxi. It is also a great recreational boat. Anyone can have fun with it. I even enjoy sailing it from time to time. I am in no way in any shape to adventure too far where getting tired in a big current can mean big trouble. this peddle system has alleviated ALL fears of pooping out. A 10-15 mile tour in average sea is not a big deal All i can say is that the propulsion peddle system is sound and a lot tougher and more efficient than people think. I have pulled up to all kinds of rock and mussell beds. She draws less than a foot of water with the fins down. The fins ride up if careless enough to not remember to put them up by extending simply one leg.

This is a steady big mans yak. she is wide and not sleek and tracks fairly at best with standard paddling. The idea of tippy comes from classis SOT vs SIT discussion. she may be not as steady as sot initially, but secondary stability is far superior. this is the widest 12 foot yak out there. The only time ever rolling her was tryting to stupidly un tangle fly from rudder. thats just a rookie yak move and i paid for it by humiliation at NE kayak fishing clave. The water temps went up i was so mad i was so stupid to go in. But i was right back on before anyone blinked. you never have to bail as the peddle port absorbs all extra water from waves and stupid moves. (like the one where i hung up my anchor on a sick rip and i tried to nearly drag swamp but didnt)

I can tie on a fly, smoke a but, suck a brew and still quietly beat any current to get to fish. in a very relaxing morning on regular 2-3 ft swell i go from magnolia beach to gloucester or round misery island and back before noon. Fishing the whole time. Estuary fishing at any tide, taxi to the flats and sand bars or around thatchers; She has gotten me to some very fishy areas i would have never seen before. I bought it and rationalized the price as a fishermans kind of exercise bike. The truth is is that because you are using such bigger muscle groups you really dont ever get too tired. you can go as hard or as easy as you want and still propel yourself. It is good for my health because i actually use this exercise machine. no monthly costs and no guilt about how i should join a gym. My fiance's grand parents each took it out for about an hour at hampton beach and had a great time.

She is easily modified with 360 anchor/sea anchor. FF holder mounted flush, four built in spinng gear holders. Seat offers pretty good support although i adjust it for paddling sometimes. holds a cooller or tackle bag right behind seat and left hand steers craft with two fingers. Sonar on when im serious and tranduces nicely through hull. one more good use for vaseline i guess. I dont sail and fish at the same time, but you could troll nicely with sail and spinning gear. I can de mast and roll up sail easily while in cockpit.

I wear simple shorts or quick dry outdoor flats pants so am not often cold. i wear wet shoes to peddle but straps can be enlarged for wader boots. Co2 vest completes the package. At night with the boys, my boat has the beer and food as it is the most stable and most able to take on weight and not feel it while getting around our honey holes.

I am happy with my purchase, that you can tell. Everyone who has tried it has been impressed. im intrigued that others feel it not so great of a craft. perhaps they can tell me about what im missing in the other choices.

[averagejoe]

Lee are you talking about outback or adventure?

[LEFTUS]

Hey Lee wanna sell it?Lefty

[LeeG]

I believe it's the outback-it's a 2 person yak that can easily be handled solo. It's fine for casual use; I just don't like it as a fishing yak. The boat belongs to my father so I can't sell it. I'll mention you were interested though.

When I'm using boats that are tippy I find I change techniques and paddle to flats, shore line, edges, etc. that I wouldn't usually fish. In the pungo I tend to stay in the boat and cast to rocks or troll productive areas. Either way, it's all better than staying home!

[LEFTUS]

Lefty