Sit on top versus sit in kayaks

[Greg_B]

I've tried traditional kayaks a few times, and as I get older my knees can not handle being inside and unable to flex fully for long periods. They start feeling hyper extended and it becomes very uncomfortable. Looking from now to 10-15 years out (post retirement) and what my intended use would be...some of the current sit on tops look interesting.

Anyone have any experience with hobicats miragedrive sit on top offerings? As an lake/river/close to shore ocean option it looks like they would fill my intended use. Hobie Cat Company - About the Hobie MirageDrive Still have dry storage, stable, and come in a variety of configurations.

gb

 

[fj404life]

They are way cool. My buddy has the 2 person Hobie with the Mirage drive. Its awesome.
You can also get a sweet sail kit, and a really cool $$$$$ electric motor for it.

 

[Butt Ugly Chuck]

I've never sat in one of those Mirage Drive Hobies myself, but have seen 'em on the water. Looks like damn little effort to move them at a pretty good clip. I saw a guy fighting a salmon out of one on the Klamath River. He darted back and forth chasing that fish till he had him tired out. I was impressed with the ease with which he could fight a fish and maintain control of the boat. As much as I love canoes, you couldn't do that with a paddle in your hand.

Butt

 

[Bogo]

The MirageDrive looks interesting, but I don't think it would be good for the rivers I wanna run... On the other hand in lakes it would be beautiful. It would free up my hands for the camera.

 

[romegadave]

The MirageDrive looks interesting, but I don't think it would be good for the rivers I wanna run... On the other hand in lakes it would be beautiful. It would free up my hands for the camera.

It does look interesting...but like Bogo not sure about its use on our nearby rivers. My sit on top (Ocean Kayak Big Yak) gets to my back and legs after around 12 miles downstream.

 

[capt bligh]

I used to have a beach concession renting kayaks, I prefer the sit on with a back rest for longer rides. When the sit in styles get water in, there is no place for it to go. Plus the sit ons are easier to climb on to from the water. I had a hobie for personal use and loved it. I could pedal up to 7 knots. The flippers kick up when they hit something. I have taken mine in some pretty rough water, surfing it in 7-9' waves, but I wouldn't take one down serious rapids.

 

[OswaldtheBold]

We have three of the Hobie Mirage kayaks, an older Outback, and new i9 and i14 T inflatables. They are great!
I take the front drive out of the 14 foot tandem so I can take three of my dogs with me. The other dog rides on the back of my wife's i9 inflatable. The inflatables have a higher weight capacity than the hard boats. They are really stable, rugged and unsinkable. I can fit both of them in the back of my '60.
We got the larger Turbo fins and they make a huge difference over the standard ones. I also got the larger rudder for the big boat, and it helps.
Find a dealer and ask if they have demos. We rented a couple of different ones to try out, and spent a whole day test driving the boats on a Hobie demo day before deciding which ones to buy (and they gave us a pretty good deal!)
They are certainly not cheap, but you won't believe how much fun they are, and how fast you can go with so little effort. Great boats!