Which Mirage Drive?
There are now 4 different Mirage Drives in the range but which one is best for you? Read on…
In 1997 Hobie began selling the very first Mirage Drive kayaks around the world. Invented by Greg Ketterman the drive was to revolutionise kayaking. Ketterman developed the drive after studying the movement of penguins through the water and then engineering the drive to simulate the movement.
At 1997 Boat Show in California Hobie illustrated the efficiency of their new drive using a very simple but powerful test. They tied the Mirage Drive kayak to a paddle driven kayak with an olympic paddler in it and did a tug of war! The results were amazing – watch the video below..
The Californian Boat Show 1997 where Mirage Drive inventor Greg Ketterman challenged Olympic Paddler Greg Barton to a ‘tug of war.’
The beauty of the Mirage Drive
Shallow water -You can easily navigate shallow water with a Mirage kayak. If you flutter the fins using partial pedal strokes the kayaks can easily be moved over a patch of very shallow water. Unlike other propeller based kayak drives the Mirage Drive fins fold up flush with the hull for unrivalled clearance and easy beaching. And now in 2020 the new kick-up drive means you don’t need to worry about underwater obstacles or shallow water.
Debris – The back and forth motion of the Mirage Drive fins mean that any underwater debris or weed is easily shed from the drive, unlike propeller driven kayaks where it tends to get caught.
Strength and Durability – The Mirage Drive is built from the toughest components and it is built to withstand harsh salt water environment and impacts.
Glide Technology – Advanced roller bearings at key friction points reduce resistance for an ultra smooth effortless ride.
The Click and Go System – Click and go in seconds!! Installing and removing the Mirage Drive from any of the kayaks is a breeze!
Easy Maintenance – To take good care of your drive and ensure its longevity, simply give it a fresh water rinse after each outing.
Height Adjustable – The ARC cranks adjust effortlessly to fit kayakers of all sizes from children to the tallest of adults.
Mirage Drive Developments
For the last 20 years Hobie have continued to develop and improve upon the original Mirage Drive. They have changed the profile of the fins and the leg cranks. They have changed the way that the leg length is adjusted, they have designed a drive that can go backwards as well as forwards, they have even added fins that kick- up on impact and very recently they launched the 360 Mirage Drive which can take you in any direction. It is difficult to see how the latest Mirage Drive could possibly be improved upon!
There are now 4 different styles of Mirage Drive that are available. Each drive is suited to different kayaks and different budgets. Read on to find out more about the funtionality of the different Mirage Drives and which kayaks they are available on.
Mirage Drive Classic
The original MirageDrive. Delivering hands-free high speed performance. This drive is featured in the:
Watch underwater footage of the Mirage Drive Classic in action.
Mirage Drive GT Kick-Up
Mirage Drive with Glide Technology delivers an ultra-smooth ride. For 2020 the Mirage Drive MD GT now comes with kick-up fins. Should you encounter an underwater obstacle the fins will automatically kick up on contact and as soon as you start to pedal again the fins will redeploy and begin providing forward propulsion straight away.
The Mirage Drive GT glides through the water with ease and the fins kick up as soon as they hit an obstacle.
Mirage Drive 180 Kick-Up
Instantly spin the fins from forward to reverse with a quick pull of the shifter cable. Unlike any other pedal system, the Mirage Drive 180 produces full power in both directions enabling you to easily back off a beach or away from a dock, pull fish out of cover, and hold position in a swift current.
- Hobie Mirage Revolution 11
- Hobie Mirage Revolution 13
- Hobie Mirage Revolution 16
- Hobie Mirage Oasis
- Hobie Mirage i9s
- Hobie Mirage i11s
- Hobie Mirage i12s
- Hobie Mirage i14T
Mirage Drive 180 Kick-Up with Turbo Fins
The following boats come with larger ‘Turbo’ fins for extra power. The other kayaks with the MD GT and the MD 180 can be easily upgraded to Turbo fins for an additional cost.
The Mirage Drive is the only drive to offer full power in forward and reverse.
Mirage Drive 360
Mirage Drive with Glide Technology delivers an ultra-smooth ride. For 2020 the Mirage Drive MD GT now comes with kick-up fins. Should you encounter an underwater obstacle the fins will automatically kick up on contact and once you have passed the obstacle as soon as you start to pedal the fins will redeploy and begin providing forward propulsion straight away.
The Hobie Pro Angler 360 is the most manoeuvrable pedal drive kayak EVER!
Try any of the Mirage Drives on the water.
Give us a call to book your demo on Hobie Kayaks and test out the different syles of Mirage Drive. Demonstrations are available all year round from Tuesday to Saturday. The Mirage Drive 180 kick up is already available for demonstration and the Mirage Drive 360 will be arriving in early 2020. To book your demo call us on 01202 671661.