thebaker wrote:
What's the biggest difference between these two tandem kayaks? I've read the Outfitter is more like a tandem Outback. The dealer nearest me only has an Outfitter for a demo. I asked him why they didn't have a Mirage tandem and he stated because they sell like 50 to 1 Outfitters to the Mirage Tandem model.
The way I see it, the Outfitter is more of a tandem fishing kayak and the Oasis (new name for the old Tandem) is more of a cruising boat.
According to the newest specs, the Tandem/Oasis is two feet longer, one inch narrower, has three hatches instead of two, weighs three pounds less and carries 100 pounds more. The Outfitter is a newer boat and is filling a new nitch, whereas the Oasis has been around for years. So if the Outfitter is currently outselling the Oasis, there are a lot more Tandem/Oases around!
For 2006, the Tandem/Oasis cockpit was modernized with the extra hatches, side pockets, etc. For '07, I believe it gets the new Twist & Stow rudder. So cockpit amenities are essentially the same.
My wife and I have an older Tandem and greatly enjoy it. If buying new today, for our purposes we would probably make the same choice.