The only drawback of the Mirage drive is that it is so easy! people just hop in and don`t bother how to learn to paddle!
Hobie paddles are already way to long!
Their lenght is a trade off so even the biggest guy,fully dressed, sitting in the widest model, can reach the water making low strokes.
At first, the Outback is an all out design for fishing, using the MD.
The trays are in the way to make a decent paddle stroke, the width makes it extremely stable on flat water, but less "paddleable".
The hull shape of Adventures and Revolutions (and the all out paddle versions) are designed for paddle propulsion too, but obviously lack some workspace for the fishermen (M/F) the Outback offers
The width and shape of the Outback combined with your height above the water makes it even more difficult to adapt a fluid paddle stroke.
First lower the rudder and set it straight, then try to make your stroke as vertical as possible right along the hull, this involves a lot of lateral bending of the upper body, the blade should just be submerged, if you have to adjust the positon of your hands along the shaft, to make the same stroke on the oposite side your paddle is to long,
(Trying to determine the position for the front rodholders here)
Alternatilvy you could get the optional paddle grip to make it a canoe style paddle and perfect your stroke technique on one side at a time.
My advice;
Take a paddle course.
Take your Outback to a Kayak shop where you can test paddle and get feedback on your technique
Proceed in your efforts to learn to paddle!, if your rudder fails in any way you will have to!
Without a rudder the MD makes you spin like a wounded duck (or learn to use your paddle as a rudder)
One other challenge due to the all out fishing design of the Outback is to get back in, so practice deep water re- entries!
PF
