Mirage Sport or Outback for me?

[Terri]

What a great site. Thanks to the mods and to those who post!

I am going to buy a Hobie with the mirage system, but I don't know which model to get.

(55 yo female, 5'5" and 135 lbs, Central Florida)

The kayak will be mainly used in a lake, saltwater flats, and right along the coast in the Gulf of Mexico (low surf only!). Most trips would be only an hour or two.

I have read through many, many of the messages on this board and get the idea that, due to my size, I should get the Mirage Sport. However, I would like to use the kayak for a variety of things, so I am concerned about not only versatility, but how it performs for each of my specific use interests:

- excercise (can you adjust the pedal mechanism to be more and less strenuous?)
- fishing
- photography and nature watching
- sailing

Any comments on how the Mirage Sport would perform for me on each of the above would be very appreciated.

This may be a very dumb idea, but would I get a better performance on any of the above uses by buying an Outback and carrying extra weight to help with stability? (my 85 lb would love to go fishing)

Since I cannot see lifting even the Sport onto the top of my SUV by myself, I am not sure that the weight of the kayak matters.
Thank you in advance.

TerryW
Lakeland and Anna Maria Island, Florida

[Terri]

What a great site. Thanks to the mods and to those who post!

I am going to buy a Hobie with the mirage system, but I don't know which model to get.

(55 yo female, 5'5" and 135 lbs, Central Florida)

The kayak will be mainly used in a lake, saltwater flats, and right along the coast in the Gulf of Mexico (low surf only!). Most trips would be only an hour or two.

I have read through many, many of the messages on this board and get the idea that, due to my size, I should get the Mirage Sport. However, I would like to use the kayak for a variety of things, so I am concerned about not only versatility, but how it performs for each of my specific use interests:

- excercise (can you adjust the pedal mechanism to be more and less strenuous?)
- fishing
- photography and nature watching
- sailing

Any comments on how the Mirage Sport would perform for me on each of the above would be very appreciated.

This may be a very dumb idea, but would I get a better performance on any of the above uses by buying an Outback and carrying extra weight to help with stability? (my 85 lb would love to go fishing)

Since I cannot see lifting even the Sport onto the top of my SUV by myself, I am not sure that the weight of the kayak matters.
Thank you in advance.

TerryW
Lakeland and Anna Maria Island, Florida

[Bald Eagle]

Welcome....
I'm pretty new also. I got my Outbacks at Christmas.

What I've noticed is that my fiance at 5'2" 155 lbs. has no issues with tippiness or other instability issues. In fact she pedals faster than I do. But she struggled in skinny water in Mosquito Lagoon when forced to paddle. If you plan on doing the springs in Ocala or rivers with shallows when you are forced to paddle ( the drive needs about 20 inches), the smaller Sport might be just right as it most likely paddles easier.

My fiance loves the Outback and is now totally into trip planning etc. We also plan on joining Mosquito Lagoon Paddlers to go on some group social trips.

Anyway, we have the Outback SUVs which are pretty heavy but lots of techniques and rack systems help. Just search the KFS site. I find the bigger issue is moving it. The wheels that came with it sure are very handy for one person. WIthout the wheels it would invlove a lot of staggering and dragging...

I bought mine from KFS. You might benefit by talking with JonS. I started with email and then phone and then back to email as I worked out the set-up and mods I wanted.

The KFS site is a blessing to learn and get assistance.

[FisherTim]

I have an Outback but if you're really interested in sailing you should post on that board. I believe the Outback would be better than the Sport because of it's length.
Also if you can use the "boat loader" type bar extender the extra lenght would be less of a radical angle on the yak while you're fighting it to the top of the SUV. Should be easier to handle.
And talk to JonS about the choice....

[Apalach]

Hey Terry,
A hearty welcome to the Board. My first inclination was that a Sport would be perfect for you until you mentioned "(my 85 lb would love to go fishing)". Would that be an 85 lb dog?? If a dog, then the Outback might be the better choice since there would be a lot more room behind the seat for the dog to get comfortable. The sport is almost 3 feet shorter than the Outback, and where they saved on length was about 2 feet from behind the seat and 1 foot from the bow, as I recall. Something to consider...

With regard to:
"- excercise (can you adjust the pedal mechanism to be more and less strenuous?)
- fishing
- photography and nature watching
- sailing",
both the Outback and Sport will be pretty much identical in all of these areas based on the comments on this Board from the owners of both.

Good luck--you probably can't go wrong with either. But I agree--you should talk to JonS to get his take on the above before deciding.
Dick

[Terri]

Thank you for the thoughtful answers.

Yes, Apalach, I have an 85 lb. labrador who would enjoy an occasional ride. I figure that the eight lb. weiner dog can fit nicely on either model!

I'll contact JonS and will post a question on the kayak sailing board, but another question: --- would I notice any difference in launching either yak into a small surf?

Thanks again! I look forward to learning more from these boards.

Terry

[Apalach]

Yeah Terry--your lab should take to kayaking like, well, a lab to water! Your first problem will be keeping the dog on the boat, but then your biggest problem may be getting the dog back onto the boat without him/her flipping you. Others on the site may have some ideas/suggestions on this, perhaps in the Main Forum. Good luck.
Dick

[Bald Eagle]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I figure that the eight lb. weiner dog can fit nicely on either model!
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Now, Terry does that weiner dog have a PFD? http://kfs.infopop.cc/eve/forums?s=418607442&amp;a=ga&amp;ul=182102653

[Terri]

LOL - Actually, YES, BaldEagle, she does have her own PFD.

Thanks for the info. I'm still trying to decide which to purchase, but JonS did indicate that if I want the extra deck space that I can add extra weight to the Outback in order to make it more manueverable for me. ( Or I guess I could start eating a whole lot.)

Terry

[Bald Eagle]

Hi Terry:

My fiance and I debated about putting some weight in but didn't and she has been fine.

Do you have a picture of the weiner dog in her PFD? That would be a hoot...

[Apalach]

Terry,
If you're serious about taking the lab along on occasion, it seems to me that you may wish to consider the full-sized Outback and have Jon install a set of outriggers for you. That way you can probably work out a way to get the dog back on board (should you have to) without fear of capsizing. I was trying to think of a way to install a canvas "sling" of some sort between one of the outriggers and the hull that the dog might be able to stand in, so he/she could then push up (or you could pull up partially) onto deck. No way to do this, however, without an outrigger so far as I can tell. Interesting problem though that I'm sure someone has thought about before, but one that I have never seen addressed. Also, don't forget a PFD for the lab as well--it might be a long paddle (i.e., dog-paddle!) back...

[Scott]

Hi Terry, welcome to the site. good luck in your process to choose the right yak. Scott

[JonS]

The Sport actually has a much better area for the lab then the Outback.

[Hobi-Wan Kenobi]

Get the Sport - it's better suited for you. Even though you don't think that you'll be doing the lifting, unless you have a fit 30 - 40 yr old with you at all times, then the weight does matter.
Even in the water when the yak flips, the sport will be easier to flip back.
Better yet, you and your friend need to go down to a shop and try these things out. Not to be rude, but the IDEA of adding weight for stability indicates that you really don't have a clue about kayaks. Reading this forum is no substitute for trying them out. Yeah, even before you have ANY IDEAS of taking your dog and sailing into the wild blue yonder, your gonna have to take a lesson or try it out. Sorry to burst your bubble, but your better off safe than sorry.

[Terri]

Elric - thanks for your input. I don't know much about kayaks which is why I am spending the time researching them before I buy.

I've spent time on the water in just about everything else from canoes to waverunners to windsurfers to hobie cats to twin diesel yachts. I have a great deal of respect for safety on the water, believe me!

Several people have told me I'd be better of in the Gulf of Mexico with the longer Outback. I tried out both yesterday and the Outback did seem less stable until we added extra weight.

I'll try them out again and will keep reading before I buy.

[Yakaholic]

Terry

The choice between Outback & Sport is really a tough one - as evidenced by several threads on the matter. But there are enough difference for careful consideration.

I opted for the Sport because I would often need to transport 2 Yaks at a time (my wife & I). And also because the Outback felt tippy to both of us because there was not enought weight in the Outback. It was explained that the sponsons (the outer ribs)on the Outback did not press into the water util it was loaded properly. There was never any danger or actually tipping - but even a tiny lean left or right would cause the Outback to rock back and forth. Unsettling yes - but once you loaded the boat (we had a friends 6year old get in the back)all the tippy-ness vanished.

My guesstimate is that about 190lbs is what the Outback needs to get "pressed into the water" properly. YMMV

The Outback IS better suited for fishing from a general sense of layout & equiping - especially if you are carring the weight. But I have used the Sport in the FL Springs, Rivers, Itracoastal for fishing with great success & comfort. No problem in skinny water or beaching the boat often.

In one of my tests this summer was to deliberitely flip the Sport over to 1. see what it takes to flip it, and 2. how hard it is to right while treading water.
It takes alot to flip the Sport - one has to have the cup holder down to the waterline before you can flip it. Righting the Sport & getting back in was EZ-PZ. Did not try that with an Outback but am sure it would take even more to flip it as it is a wider Yak - of course righting it would be more work too.

If you weigh alot, plan to add things like a live bait well, or carry the loads of some Outback fans (fish finder, outriggers, 4 poles, radio, battery, lights) - Get the Outback.

If you are more like me and don't want to turn the Kayak into a full-blown bass boat and are not a big person the Sport might just be more enjoyable in the overall scheme of things.

I carry 2 poles, net, small tackle box and sometines an icechest. The Sport vs. an unmodified Outback has more acessable internal storage space using the Sport 10" hatch between your legs. I can put 2 2piece 6' rod & reels & the sail inside the hull.

I don't know about the dog but at 135lbs I really think you would like the Sport better.
If you get something hard to transport - you may use it less. The smaller size/weight of my Sport has me out on the water with a minimal of effort.

As with any decision you need to test peddle & paddle the boats & then consider where you will store & how you will transport.

Good luck!