Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
October 08, 2025, 12:42:47 AM

Login with username, password and session length

Recent Topics

[October 07, 2025, 09:28:13 AM]

[October 04, 2025, 07:02:25 PM]

[October 04, 2025, 04:37:17 PM]

[October 01, 2025, 04:23:31 PM]

[September 29, 2025, 08:14:31 AM]

[September 27, 2025, 06:10:38 PM]

[September 23, 2025, 01:30:32 PM]

[September 23, 2025, 01:29:36 PM]

[September 20, 2025, 02:16:06 PM]

[September 19, 2025, 06:43:49 PM]

[September 16, 2025, 09:06:41 PM]

[September 13, 2025, 04:55:06 PM]

[September 08, 2025, 08:30:37 PM]

[September 04, 2025, 03:31:25 PM]

by Shad
[September 03, 2025, 11:53:58 AM]

Picture Of The Month



Guess who's back?
jed with a spring Big Mack

Topic: 2-part review of the MD 180 reversable Mirage Drive  (Read 3742 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

pmmpete

  • Sturgeon
  • *******
  • Location: Missoula, Montana
  • Date Registered: Jul 2013
  • Posts: 1989
“Roadrunner” posted an interesting two-part review of the new MD 180 (reverseable) Mirage Drive on the Hobie Cat forum.  The first part of the review discusses how the new drive works mechanically at http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=59266 . The second part of the review discusses the performance of the new drive at http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=59265 . These reviews are interesting and answer some questions I had about the new drive, such as whether it is possible to paddle backwards very far before the rudder gets out of line and makes the kayak spin out (short answer – yes).


rogerdodger

  • Fish Retriever
  • Sturgeon
  • *******
  • roger
  • Location: Florence OR
  • Date Registered: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 1596
excellent reviews, thanks for posting the links...
2019 Hobie Outback (Fish Retriever)



Matt M

  • Sturgeon
  • *******
  • Location: Tigard
  • Date Registered: Mar 2016
  • Posts: 1267
That was a great review and one that reminds me of something you would write Pete (I mean that in the best way possible,) especially the rear view mirror bit ;)

I have already been plotting my next boat purchase out and I think it will be a 2017 Outback in the new camo color (with the MD 180 of course!)
-Matt

Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL


Idaho Brit

  • Lingcod
  • *****
  • Hobie Tandem Island, Hobie Outback
  • Location: Spokane
  • Date Registered: Jun 2016
  • Posts: 312
Great review.
And just when I think my spending on my kayak habit is over along comes 180.  ::)
"Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." Said the water rat.  The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame,


pmmpete

  • Sturgeon
  • *******
  • Location: Missoula, Montana
  • Date Registered: Jul 2013
  • Posts: 1989
The MD 180 is pretty complicated, and I suspect that some issues may surface with it during the first model year.  If I was in the market for a new kayak, which I am not, I'd be inclined to wait a year to let Hobie work out the bugs.


Idaho Brit

  • Lingcod
  • *****
  • Hobie Tandem Island, Hobie Outback
  • Location: Spokane
  • Date Registered: Jun 2016
  • Posts: 312
"Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." Said the water rat.  The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame,


 

anything