Thinking Of Switching To Hobie Cat Mirage Drive

[Ratherbfishing]

When I was at Scheels last week, I saw the coolest tricked out Hobie Mirage Drive in the showroom. Yes it was expensive (for a kayak) but I found myself wondering IF I ought to sell my late model Toyota Tacoma, my 17 foot jon boat and buy a hobie can and flat bed trailer to carry it (pulled with my civic). Last year, with only a few exceptions, I used my Pelican 2 man bass raider (mostly by myself) and the Jon boat mostly sat in the garage. When I bought the Jon Boat I had hoped to carry others in it but that really hasn't transpired all that often and it kind of irks me for having spent that much money for the few times that I do carry others. (grumble grumble).

Does anyone else on this site own a Hobie Cat? How steady a platform is it and how comfortable is it? How strong is the Mirage Drive (propulsion wise and durability wise) and how maneuverable is it? Also, I'm turning 50 this year and though I'm in pretty good shape, the old bones aren't what they used to be. Is a kayak (even a mirage drive model) a young man's game?

Thanks for your thoughts! I won't be making any quick decisions regardless so any reasonably constructive feedback is welcome.

[Darren.]

Great fishing yak, if you can afford one, I doubt you'll be disappointed!

 

Hanover_Yakker is on the Hobie team, has a Pro Angler, will likely chime in here.

 

I'd have a Pro Angler if it were within my budget.

[c.rushing2010]

They are the cadillacs of kayaks for sure. Eventually I will own one, but for now the ultimate gets me where I need to go. I too purchased a jon boat with the intentions of bringing along fishing buddies, but it has been sitting in my yard since I bought it and will soon have a for sale sign. I have enough kayaks to take whoever wants to fish along. I have found several pro anglers for sale locally at some tempting prices.

[c.rushing2010]

Also, as far as kayaking being a young man's game, I'm 22 but the local kayak fishing club, Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club, has members more than double my age who get along just fine and catch way more fish than I do.

[J Francho]

Hannover Yakker (Chuck Wrenn) is a member here, and fishes Hobie.  I've been in them, and they are amazing fishing boats.  I say boats, because they really blurr the lines between kayak and vessel, when it comes to fishing platforms.

[Hanover_Yakker]

The Pro Angler 14 is my current Hobie of choice.  I also owned a Revolution 13 and have pedaled a Hobie Outback and Pro Angler 12 as well.  I know one day I will own a traditional bass boat, but not anytime soon.  If you have any questions, just shoot me a PM or even better, ask in the general forum for all to see.  You could say I love fishing out of mine.......

 

 

 

 

 

[MikeinFresno]

they require you have no knee issues cuz it will hurt if you do to pedal them. They are heavy when it comes to loading and getting them to the water. They are the best for trolling for sure. The Outback is wide and super stable. Most people will want the Revo 13 tho due to it being lighter and faster. If stability and almost impossible to roll over then the Outback. Most people will upgrade to the sailing rudder and turbo fins so that is and extra expense in time. The drive has few issues. The pins will sometimes come loose tho. Older used ones may have cracks around the drive well area. I think the 08 and newer models are fixed for this, but not sure on the year for this fix.