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Candlewood lake here in CT has, like many NE lakes a problem with Eurasian watermilfoil. It is a nasty invader (released from people's aquariums) that takes over large sections of the lake. We have even had a couple of people drown when caught in weeds. Even with my V-8 powered Bayliner, after I power through the "forest" as I leave the dock, I need to put it into reverse to blow off the 20 or so pounds of weeds that have collected on the out drive before getting underway.
With the Outback I simply avoid the problem by paddling over the weed forest, then put down my rudder and mirage drive. Then off I go!
I was out on Candlewood lake Saturday morning enjoying my usual exercise fun. As I approached the Danbury town park something was happening. There were many people, music, balloons, etc. I peddled closer to the town park to get a better look. As I approached the peddling resistance got greater and greater. Then I realized that I had peddled my way into a huge weed patch. I could have pulled the mirage drive and paddled out, but I figured that the back and forth motion of the mirage drive should sling the weeds off. And after all I had peddled into this mess, so I went ahead and peddled the 200 yards needed to leave the the weed patch. The peddling resistance was pretty high, but off I went! As I left the weed patch the peddling resistance returned to normal. I stopped and pulled the drive to inspect it. No caught weeds at all! (Although I was towing a weed streamer caught on the rudder.) So except for an increase in peddling resistance the mirage drive is not stopped by Eurasian watermilfoil! I am impressed and certainly glad I did not buy one of those foot driven propeller powered "Propel" kayaks! Score one for the ingenuity of the mirage drive.
BTW it was a triathlon competition going on at our town park. Lucking I went peddling by while they were all still on their bicycles!
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