Introducing the NEW Hobie Mirage Compass

[RavensDfense]

The below text is copied from the Hobie Fishing Team page regarding their new Mirage Drive kayak....the Hobie Compass.

A New Product, Hobie Mirage Compass:

Introducing the NEW Hobie Mirage Compass!

As with all Mirage Kayaks, this one comes with a MirageDrive GT with standard fins. It weighs 87 lbs full rigged (seat, paddle, MirageDrive) and it's fitted weight is 68 lbs! The price is $1,949 USD. Here are the full specs:

Crew: Single
Length: 12'
Width: 34"
Capacity: 400 lbs
Fitted Hull Weight: 68 lbs
Fully Rigged Weight: 87 lbs
Colors: Slate Blue, Seagrass Green

Here are the links to the Hobie home page and video:
https://www.hobie.com/kayaks/mirage-compass/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqTD98TFJ1w

Another great product by Hobie!

My first thought (without having pedaled it) is that is provides a Hobie Mirage Drive Hobie at a price point that is more competitive to brands such as perception. It comes standard with the Vantage Seat, but lack the 180 (Reverse) drive and instead has the Mirage GT (glide technology) drive. The added gear tracks are a nice option also. At 12' long and a naked weight of only 68 lbs....it provides somewhat of a lighter option in a "bay-worth -sized" kayak.

[silasvirus82]

No rudder?

[RavensDfense]

No rudder?

It does have a rudder. Single string; similar to the Pro Angler is the way I interpret it.

[RavensDfense]

In addition, it is also compatible with the square hatch. An 8" round hatch can also be installed in the front; under the netting.

[silasvirus82]

Smart on Hobie to go cheap/light. They're going to sell a million of these things

[Mark]

No paddle?

Sorry...I see it now.

[silasvirus82]

No paddle?

I saw a paddle in the video

[silasvirus82]

The more I think about it the more I'm leaning towards this not being such a big deal. It's really not cheap enough yet to persuade someone looking for a similar kayak to make sacrifices. At that price point its only a few hundred dollars cheaper than an Outback or Revo, and you're potentially missing out on a few things. The lighter weight is nice though. All these kayak makers need to realize they are competing against themselves mostly, and a few hundred bucks isn't going to prevent me from getting what I actually want. Closer to a thousand might. Hobie should have the production of these things down to the point of producing a similar kayak at around $1500. That would get some serious attention and pull people away from other brands.

[FishMoken]

I really think hobie hit it out of the park with this one. I've never been a fan of the propeller style peddle drives, but could never bring myself to spend that kind of money on a kayak anyways. Now this....this kayak has my attention.


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[silasvirus82]

I really think hobie hit it out of the park with this one. I've never been a fan of the propeller style peddle drives, but could never bring myself to spend that kind of money on a kayak anyways. Now this....this kayak has my attention.


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Haha, I stand corrected!

[RavensDfense]

The more I think about it the more I'm leaning towards this not being such a big deal. It's really not cheap enough yet to persuade someone looking for a similar kayak to make sacrifices. At that price point its only a few hundred dollars cheaper than an Outback or Revo, and you're potentially missing out on a few things. The lighter weight is nice though. All these kayak makers need to realize they are competing against themselves mostly, and a few hundred bucks isn't going to prevent me from getting what I actually want. Closer to a thousand might. Hobie should have the production of these things down to the point of producing a similar kayak at around $1500. That would get some serious attention and pull people away from other brands.

I agree with you that there is a fine line between manufacturers when it comes to price. The Perception Pilot (to my knowledge) has the lowest MSRP of any pedal kayak, coming in at $1799. I am assuming Hobie thought the inclusion of the Mirage Drive warranted the additional $150. A price point of $1500 would have been sweet, but coming close to that price point with a mirage drive hopefully turns some heads.

[Romo]

Don't get me wrong I love my hobie but I don't see anything to get excited about here. Who is the target buyer for this? Is someone who can't afford a $2400 revo 13 really going to say "Oh geez what a huge $400 price difference!" and buy one tomorrow? And is 87 lbs considered "light" by anyone? Adding marketing weasel words like "fitted weight" is also a bad look IMO. Its just adding to an already jumbled lineup that already has two unpopular smaller boats (revo 11 and sport). Its sad because hobie was an industry leader and innovator and basically created an entirely new pedal drive market. All they do now is raise prices, add features that no one asked for and throw in a couple new colors once in a while.

[silasvirus82]

I wonder what the true cost is for Hobie on any of their lineup? Somebody here might know.

[Huntrava]

For those of us who have to beg and bribe friends to come kayaking, having a cheap (and comfortable) secondary kayak can be handy. I just picked up a used inflatable (i12s) last year for my secondary kayak--my plan is to fly with it to the boundary waters--but I probably would have looked hard at one of these if they were available.

[FishMoken]

I feel like this kayak is geared more toward the non angling crowd. Like ocean kayak with the Malibu pld. I really think these kayaks are really more of a "family" kayak. Something to get the wife or teen out with you without feeling left behind by not having a drive, but also without as much weight as a fishing kayak. Just my 2 cents.


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