Seating position using Mirage to prevent back pain

We have a Quest love it. Test drove an Outback and Revo in Dallas. Want Mirage for hands free fishing. Leaning to Outback for stability fishing in Gulf.

Question: my lower back muscles had lower back pain after, OK now. . Wife said I sat up to straight while pedaling. Demo rep says possibly use of different muscles will get used to it in time. I occassionaly have low back pain over years am 73 and active ski and fish.

Thoughts ??

Everybody's back is different. I gather you tried a current boat with a built-in lumbar support? Most people seem to like them, but I find them uncomfortable and use the older Hobie straight back seats (still available).

You can adjust the back tilt on all the Hobie seats -- I sit upright to paddle and lean back to pedal. If that doesn't work for you, there are aftermarket seats that you can adapt.

As RR points out, lots of hobie peddling requires the opposite of the classic forward leaning paddle position, (where you sit tall with an arch in your lower back).

Leaning back increases the leverage of your legs and is less stressful. It keeps the nose up and out of the surf a little better too. I find it better to recline as much as possible and then alternate this position with a slightly inclined angle (where the seatstraps do provide some arch support in my lumbar). You may feel this in your neck later though.

Rigging up some sort of backrest and handgrips is another great way keep you comfortable on longer trips.

If I am sailing (the Adventure Island) on a long run with little to do- I might sit up real straight for awhile, stretch my legs and take some pressure off my tush.

Or jump out on the tramps. Man does it feel good to go lay on the waterbed and let the sail do the work!

Wait- Am I getting old or what?

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The Wind Is Your Friend...

Thank you Roadrunner for seating and warranty info. Thanks to Nohuhu.

We went to gym this am used recumbent bike, found by leaning back had no back pain.

We are doing a longer demo Thursday evening of the Outback and Revo. Leaning to Outback for Gulf fishing. Can use our Quest for all around yaking.

Returning to Branson area later this month, may have a new Hobie with Mirage to use on Lake.

Hi richdartx,

You may find this post informative about back pain in the Hobie Seat. I started the post and got great feedback on Hobie seats that can be of good resource for you. I had already purchased the Skwoosh Seat so I was not going to buy another older Hobie seat. I adpated teh Skwoosh Seat very successfully for my revo and I no longer have any back pain after taking long jaunts or fishing for 6 or more hours at a time.

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=24462

I hope you find the post useful.

Revo

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I would rather be kayaking and think about work than to be at work thinking about kayaking.
A Thrill Ride is being dragged around in your kayak for 40 minutes by an extremely large fish.

Also note that pedal length is adjustable. If the pedals are too close to your body... you can feel bunched up and uncomfortable. Adjust the pedals while on the beach to a length just-short of full leg extension.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Rich

Have you tried any seat pads or wedges under your tush yet? A little foam or air padding will help you stay more comfortable on those long peddle trips. (Too much will give you a wedgie).

You can experiment with neoprene or closed cell foam (like good foam shipping sheets or those kneeler pads for gardening. Someone suggested putting the hobie daggerboard cover under your seat for a nice thin layer of comfort. It actually works and is great material for that!

Hobie has a inflatable cu$hion too. You might like it.

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The Wind Is Your Friend...

Can I hijack a little on this post??? It relates to the i-comfort seat.....

In the catalog and Parts book it states that the i comfort seat is comfortable Which I believe.... but it also states that it is a replacement for the current
seat Pad...... or can be used in conjunction with the standard seat pad..... what have others done??? does anyone use both together? Does it make you sit to high and the leech of the sail hit you in the head more or does everyone just replace the seat pad with the I comfort only.

What is the durability of the I comfort seat???

Thanks.. hope this info helps original poster too!!

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2010 Hibiscus Adventure Island

Yes, you can double up with the original seat pad. Only durability issues relate to wear with sand etc I think, so on top of the original pad would be even better in that regard.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I don't want the extra weight or height and find the pad alone does an excellent job. For the '07 and newer seats (those with lumbar support) the seat bottom is velcroed on -- just pull it off and replace it. With my older seats the bottoms are sewn on and have to be cut off, but there is still a velcro strip to attach the i-comfort to. viewtopic.php?f=11&t=10141
I've been using mine for over 2 years now -- still holding air well (it gets used 3 times weekly). The seat works best for me when I let some air out (creates more "give" and lowers the CG). To air it up, get off the seat momentarily, open the valve and it's full again. So even if it develops a slow leak, it would still be fully functional.

BTW, the i-comfort pad makes an absolutely huge difference for me -- I don't go anywhere without it -- even use it on the PA!

Ditto on the i comfort seat by itself Roadrunner. By itself it is pure pleasure especially not having much of a backside it greatly comforts the hips on long ventures. The Skwoosh I am using now has a gel seat and though maybe not quite the comfort of the i comfort and definitely not adjustable but it is leaps above just a foam padded seat. No matter what avenue you explore there are always possibilities.
I might even adapt the i comfort into my Skwoosh backrest. I looked at the new seats at the Hobie dealer
today when picking up the replacement pegs (I really like the new adjustable ones) and I still find the Skwoosh backrest offers more support for a tall lanky frame. For me anyway.

Revo

_________________
I would rather be kayaking and think about work than to be at work thinking about kayaking.
A Thrill Ride is being dragged around in your kayak for 40 minutes by an extremely large fish.

Thank you for the Input.

My wife and I demoed the Outback and Revo again last night. I adjusted seat, leaned back, put rolled up towel behind lower back; pedaled and had no discomfort.

Decided to buy an Outback from Mariner Sails Dallas for fishing Texas lakes, Branson MO and Gulf near Ft Walton Beach Fl. Should get it Mon/Tuesday adding a Lowrance M 68C doing it myself based on Tips from this Forum. Adding the larger rudder holding off on Turbo fins for now.

We will now have 3 yaks, Quest, a 10' Walden sik for cold weather and our new Hobie Outback.

richdartx,

Just a suggestion but depending on how much gear you plan to carry on your fishing adventures you may want to upgrade to turbos just due to added weight. I added Turbos then dropeed back to the ST fin and unloaded the yak was fine but loaded with gear a very noticable change in speed. I carry my anchor, Stickit anchor pin, two rocket launcher rod holders, depth/fish finder, tackle boxes, a crate mate with 2 rods and a net and two rods in the Revo rod holders, a cooler with snacks, ice and beverages and by the time you get all that on board along with the regular essentials what a blessing Turbo fins are. Not to mention keeping up with others less loaded.

Just food for thought.

Revo

_________________
I would rather be kayaking and think about work than to be at work thinking about kayaking.
A Thrill Ride is being dragged around in your kayak for 40 minutes by an extremely large fish.