180 drive retrofit for 2016 Outback

I was told by my dealer that my 2016 Hobie Outback mirage drive could be retrofitted to reversible drive and the parts would be a available from Hobie in 2017. Does anyone know when these parts will be a available?

Your dealer has no idea what he's talking about...unless what he really said is that the new MD 180 (complete) will fit your older boat. There is no kit.

Virtually none of the parts are interchangeable between the 2016 Mirage GT and the 2017 MD 180, but either Drive will fit any Mirage Drive boat.

Welcome to the forum!

No retrofit available for GT to 180. Standalone drives will likely be available this fall, maybe sooner if production allows. Look forward for a forum post/other method of notification when they are available.

_________________
Howie Strech
Parts & Accessories Product Manager
Hobie Cat USA

It can be done but apparently Hobie quit selling the parts needed to retrofit.

They are probably behind in production and fitting the new kayaks first. Hopefully they start selling them again soon. I just bought a used PA14 with the idea that the drive itself could be updated.


Here are the parts needed.

Parts Included in Kit:
81499001 MD 180 Spine Assemby – One
81491001 Handle & Tendon MD 180 Reverse – One
81486001 Handle & Tendon MD 180 Forward – One
81504001 Mast MD 180 Turbo – Two
81501001 MD 180 Fin Turbo – Two