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PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:00 pm 
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Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:30 pm
Posts: 2
Location: San Diego
I have been thinking about getting a classic or a outback. Can anyone tell me how they perform without the pedals? Is there a way to attach a foot powered rudder?

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 Post subject: Compare?
PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:39 pm 
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Paddling is not the best aspect of the Mirage kayaks, but they can be paddled. The pedal system works so well you would rarely paddle. There is no provision for foot steering. I might suggest the Adventure as it is by far the best paddling Mirage kayak to date. It paddles better that many paddling-only kayaks.

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PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 11:39 pm 
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Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2005 10:46 pm
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Location: Escondido
Hi pmichetti and welcome to the forum. I've had a Classic for 5 years now and love it. It's relatively light weight (compared with the Adventure and tandoms), easy to paddle, very manuverable and pretty quick. Disadvantages: it's not well set up for fishing (I'm not a fisherman though), it doesn't track exceptionally well and there is no provision for a sail.

Those that have Outbacks really like them also, especially for fishing. They have a reputation for being not too great for paddling and pretty poor at tracking.

I also have a new Adventure; it's great for paddling; tracks well, is the fastest (and therefore has the longest range). The fishermen like it, it has some sailing options that none of the others have, and is definitely the most versatile! It boasts all the latest technology that Hobie offers. It is also the longest and heaviest single in the Hobie fleet if that's an issue for you.

If you just want to paddle, the Quest (which has no pedal capability) has been getting rave reviews -- excellent speed and tracking. But still not as good as the Adventure from what I hear. No sailing capability either in case you were to develop a budding interest later.

Depending on what you're your possible uses are, they each have their advantages. If youy can, try out a couple and see what feels right! 8)


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PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 5:07 am 
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Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 5:50 am
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Location: Florida Panhandle
pmichetti:
If you want to paddle and fish, paddle and float, paddle and just plain relax and have fun, go with the Quest. Roadrunner was right about the rave reviews for the Quest, there are a lot of them.
It is a great boat with all kinds of capabilities and possibilities, it even has the foot controlled rudder that you asked about.


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PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:38 am 
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Joined: Fri Nov 19, 2004 6:56 am
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Location: Tallahassee, FL
Hey pm,
Another hearty welcome to the Hobie Forum. And Roadrunner has it right--an excellent thumbnail overview about the Hobie craft, except for one thing. There are mixed reports about how well the Outback paddles. Some folks, including myself, don't feel the OB is all that bad in the paddling department, whereas others don't like it as a paddle craft at all. But it certainly does not paddle as well as either the Quest or the BigA--on that point there is NO disagreement!

However, the whole discussion is moot insofar as I'm concerned since I rarely ever paddle the OB or Sport at all, except to use as a reverse gear! I mean, why paddle when you can do a hands-free pedal over a longer distance and at a higher speed, especially when fishing and/or trolling? Just can't beat that hands-free fishing and maneuvering, IMHO.

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PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:56 am 
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Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:30 pm
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Location: San Diego
Thanks for the info. I think a visit to Fast Lane Sailing Center for a demo may be in order. I currently paddle a folding boat made by Nautiraid. It’s a great boat but it takes about 30 minutes to assemble then I disassemble it after the trip then I reassemble to clean off the salt water when I get home, wait for it to dry then pack it away. A three hour paddle takes six hours of my day. My kayak buddies are paddling purists and I want to keep up with our weekly paddles while having the option to solo pedal. Who knows they may see me having fun pedaling and convert.
Thanks again for your helpful input.

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