Mirage Drive 180!

I'm liking the idea of a reverse even though I've probably only paddled in reverse a half dozen times over the past 5 years.

First situation is lake fishing right up against thick weeds. 

The second and the one I think will be the best use is bottom bouncing or back trolling plugs in fairly swift current.  it would be interesting to be able to face down stream, but to be able to quickly change back to forward to escape sweepers and such.  I still think facing upstream may be the safer way to go in rivers because you can keep an eye on debris coming downstream plus the fact that pedaling upstream, the rudder grabs and turns the kayak away from any danger faster than going with the flow since relative motion against the water is what allows you to turn...I think....

Using a Mirage Drive with reverse or a propeller drive to back a kayak a few feet away from weeds or a dock will probably be fine.  But going for extended distances in reverse, or back pedaling against current for any period of time, will probably not be as fine.  I suspect that the rudder will cause the stern of the kayak to veer out of line, and the kayak to spin sideways.  There is a reason why rudders are always located at the stern of watercraft.

Hobie rudders are unstable in reverse, especially the sailing rudder. Go too fast, and turn too far and the rudder will get pinned at full lock until you slow down enough to free it up.

Reverse isn't going to be any use for long distances, just like in a car , or larger boat, or anything else that can reverse but is really meant to go forward.


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I think once a year I need to go in reverse. Hopefully they will continue the standard model and keep it simple and simply make it more reliable.

I think once a year I need to go in reverse. Hopefully they will continue the standard model and keep it simple and simply make it more reliable.

I'm sure you'll be able to get new old stock of the ST and STT mirage drives for a while, but they won't be making any new ones.  If the 2017 boats are shipping with the MD180 drives, they're probably already in full production.


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I think once a year I need to go in reverse. Hopefully they will continue the standard model and keep it simple and simply make it more reliable.

I'm sure you'll be able to get new old stock of the ST and STT mirage drives for a while, but they won't be making any new ones.  If the 2017 boats are shipping with the MD180 drives, they're probably already in full production.


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Yeah, they will release them as an accessory purchase once they have enough to match all the 2017 kayak production.

But there will be plenty of people who buy the drive for their current yak and will sell their old drive to those who want them.

I'll be keeping my old drive as the spare.

I'm liking the idea of a reverse even though I've probably only paddled in reverse a half dozen times over the past 5 years.

First situation is lake fishing right up against thick weeds. 

The second and the one I think will be the best use is bottom bouncing or back trolling plugs in fairly swift current.  it would be interesting to be able to face down stream, but to be able to quickly change back to forward to escape sweepers and such.  I still think facing upstream may be the safer way to go in rivers because you can keep an eye on debris coming downstream plus the fact that pedaling upstream, the rudder grabs and turns the kayak away from any danger faster than going with the flow since relative motion against the water is what allows you to turn...I think....

Using a Mirage Drive with reverse or a propeller drive to back a kayak a few feet away from weeds or a dock will probably be fine.  But going for extended distances in reverse, or back pedaling against current for any period of time, will probably not be as fine.  I suspect that the rudder will cause the stern of the kayak to veer out of line, and the kayak to spin sideways.  There is a reason why rudders are always located at the stern of watercraft.

I tend to agree with this assessment. would it be too much to ask for a kit to install a rudder up front.  lol.

I still think it'd be useful for adjustment in rivers like the Kenai and even smaller ones like ship creek up here.  more than once I've had to veer off full circle to reposition myself.  more than once...but less than 10 times though.

I think a part of it is what someone already mentioned.  I know I don't have reverse so I plan accordingly.  I'm wondering if my style or planning would change knowing I had the reverse.

I will say a momentary loss of control is NOT an option on big fast rivers like the Kenai. Not so much the natural obstacles but I've fished in areas where a 100 ft radius circle would encompass 5 or more boats in a hole. Screwing everyone else up is a sure way to get people working on regs to ban kayaks on the river in some ways. even with an outboard it's 100% full on concentration to avoid banging other boats.

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