Reverse Gear

CurtnAz started a good discussion on the PA forum about Mirage reverse. Since the topic applies to all the Mirage Drive kayaks, I wanted to expand on it here.

Despite being able to back up with a paddle, the Mirage Drive is sometimes criticized for not having a reverse capability. Well, of course it really does have pedaling reverse if you can spare the 20 to 30 seconds to turn the Drive around and readjusting the pedals as necessary. In fact, it has two distinct speed ranges, depending on how far you're going and when you want to get there.

Slow reverse is distinguished by enjoying full rudder steering. It is speed limited though to about 2.5 to 3 MPH because the rudder is grossly unstable in this direction. Accordingly, you have to be very ginger with the tiller or the boat may toss you in the drink. Beyond this speed, the rudder makes the ride unsafe IMO.

Nevertheless, the boat itself is quite stable and tracks well with the rudder out of the water. Who would ever want to do this? Ask these people -- they're always going backwards:


You can develop some reverse speeds unattainable with prop drives. Here's the wake of an Adventure going about 6 MPH; the higher speed is used to demonstrate the boat's inherent directional stability:


The stern seems to be pretty happy with it's new role as well (although there could be a little water in the hull from the rudder tubes). Notice the rudder sitting on the deck:


Steering is accomplished in this case by small corrections with the paddle. Here's a shot of the Adventure cruising in reverse at 6.5 MPH:


Whether this has any practical value depends on the user. In any case, it's good to know, it's fun, and you can always wow your friends if they're easily impressed. Rowers watch out!

There is most definitely several practical applications for reverse gear usage. I've been using it that way for a while now and I fully concur with your findings, re: safe speeds with rudder, etc.

The way I put this method to use is when fishing surface lures, poppers or walk-the-dog style. Place drive in backwards, cast lure forward and then pedal backwards slowly, working the lure as one normally would. The idea of this is that you are facing your lure and can cover way more ground by pedaling as you impart action on the lure. If a fish starts showing interest, you'll likely see it before it strikes.

I've also used reverse gear to hold position in a stiff current when facing the opposite way is required.

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Yakass, thanks for your comments. There is also a rare but possible Drive cable failure combination where the Drive can continue to be operated, but only if reversed. It's always good to know the limits of your equipment.

Speaking of which, I tried this with the Oasis (soloing from the front seat) today and got almost identical results -- excellent high speed (rudder up) directional stability in reverse (up to 6 MPH). I think most if not all the Mirage Hobies will do this if called upon.

Nice, I had been thinking about reversing the drive, but never tried it. I sometimes drag poppers and other surface lures, but have always wondered what happened when I hear a splash and the rod bounces with a missed strike...Do you use the standard paddle to steer, or a short canoe paddle?

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For slower speeds the rudder gives excellent directional control, but you need to keep one hand on it at all times. At higher speeds where you have more open space, I use the Hobie paddle to easily make broad turns. You can skim the paddle on the surface on the side you want to turn toward or trail the paddle and use the curved blade to correct your course simply by rotating the paddle. You don't need the paddle continuously though.

In the last photo, I was cruising with the paddle stowed. The picture was taken over my shoulder so I didn't see that buoy directly ahead until I was almost upon it -- ended up sideswiping it before I could get the paddle out. Maybe I should get one of those hat mounted rear view mirrors!

I have been fishing from my adventure, in reverse with the rudder down, since 2009 and find it a fantastic way to fish lures. I have never tried it with the rudder up as I like the rudder/rod control and too not have to handle a paddle, that I just haven't really given it any thought. Now after reading about it (and if I can get back on the water), I will certainly give it a go on some of my larger/faster deep diving lures.

In reverse I mostly only use one rod, I use one hand for the rod and one for the rudder. Your control lines to the rudder need to be well tuned/tight, as the more play they have the harder it is to keep control. As Roadrunner said, max speed is around 2.5 mph but you really only need 1/2 to 2/3 that speed when working a lure.

You can mix things up a bit, but one way I like, and how I started, was two or three fast pedals as you lift and jig your rod tip high and quickly, then as the kayak slows it's drift, slowly lay the rod forward and let the line lay on the water. Carefully watch your line on the surface for any take, as it often happens when the lure is on the drop or sitting on the bottom. Similar with surface poppers as well, the hit is often when they stop.
As you come to a halt and your lure has hit the bottom, two more kicks and again impart the action, maybe a flick off to the side as well. The Adventure going in reverse, almost turns in its own length as well, well a little exaggerated, but it does turn quite quick and you can change directions very easy, working around weed beds, rock walls or moored boats (and work your lure under them).

Mid water (neutral buoyant), I like to dart them across the sand, from weed bed to weed bed and then let them hover for a second over the weed. And vice verse, hover over the sand and dart for the weed.

Shallow water, I like to put some distance between the kayak and lures if I can. So the fish can settle a little if spooked by the kayak (but with a Yum Yum yellow one, it's not really a problem )

The best parts of fishing in reverse, is, the action is no longer behind you, the rise and take, or that first exploding jump are right in front of you. You get to see all of it (well unless you are glancing over your shoulder, to see where you are going. Also worth a mention now, if you are going to tip, that's when it will happen most likely.) You get to work the water for longer, without the cast and retrieve, cast retrieve. You can troll a lure, impart more action and watch the line tension, off the water surface, as you drop your lures. It really is a finesse way to troll lures off the front, or is that back of your kayak (it is still following behind you isn't it) .

With the rudder where it is on a PA, I am not sure how the rudder and kayak will react in reverse, turn will certainly be quicker, just not sure how the rudder will handle the water pressure with small manoeuvres. But with any of the other models, it should work fine at slow speeds like the Adventure.

Personally, I love it, and it is well worth the effort learning/trying and I am surprised more people are not trying/doing it, well who I have seen anyway.

Elm, what a great tutorial! Your vivid descriptions of working the lure sounded so appealing I started salivating myself. Adapting your boat handling methods to enhance the angling technique is masterful and your tip about keeping the slack out of the rudder control lines is excellent.

When is your new book coming out on The Art of Angling? Hank Parker step aside -- Hobie should consider doing a fishing video showing some of your and Yakass' reverse gear techniques!

WOW, I've been referenced AWESOME article though. I love the reference to topwater lures which makes complete sense I suppose such application would also work in a trolling sense so one could keep an eye on their lines Very cool article.

The only boat I don't see this working with though is the PA Something tells me you would have a water plow

[quote="CurtnAz"]WOW, I've been referenced AWESOME article though. I love the reference to topwater lures which makes complete sense I suppose such application would also work in a trolling sense so one could keep an eye on their lines Very cool article.

The only boat I don't see this working with though is the PA Something tells me you would have a water plow [/quote

I am not sure the PA will become a plow, I guess that would depend on how submerged the stern is due to load weight, for memory it does have a nice slope on the underbelly and again, you are not going quick, it's only good for slow trolling (will with the rudder down anyway).
The more I look at the PA rudder, I start to think it may actually be better than the other model rudders for going in reverse.

If you look at the rear mounted rudders, all of the blade sticks out beyond the swivel point and there fore has one single force of water pushing against it, trying to push the blade around to a point of least resistance (which it cannot). That's why, once the rudder goes beyond a certain angle, or over a certain speed, it whips around to full lock and tries to roll you off. On the PA however, and part of the reason it steers in such a small area, is that the blade is both fore and aft of it's swivel point, water pressure against the blade is divided into two forces rather than one and may not be prone to the whip that the other rudders experience.
The PA Rudder may very well suit reverse more that I used to think.
It is something I have not had the chance to witness or try for myself, but would definitely be very interested to here how PA owners go.

Roadrunner, thanks, but there is no way my name belongs up there with Josh (Yakass). If I could catch fish as good as Josh, I would be a happy fisherman (even happier if they were as big as well). I really did like your report and effort, if/when I do manage to get back out, I will be trying without the rudder down fore sure.

Em... maybe switching to reverse to get some speed up and avoid spooling when hooked up to a bill fish whose dragging you backwards.

I've always figured on fighting with the rudder up in this situation. But if it was down wouldn't you be safe with it down in an AI ?

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Elm, I agree. The PA backs down using the evolve motor with reverse throttle up to 3.2 MPH with no issues, but I didn't think to try it with pedals at the time.

Dan, although the AI wouldn't have any roll stability issues with the amas deployed, the rudder easily gets pinned to the side by water pressure and you end up going in circles until the boat slows down enough to regain control of the rudder. Remember also if you take your hand off the rudder in reverse it will flop to the side, taking the boat in the same direction. I would imagine you would want both hands on your rod if you've got a bill fish on the other end!

Rudder-up reverse with amas -- I'm not sure if the AI would still have good directional stability -- might trip on the amas. Maybe you should try it.

the rudder easily gets pinned to the side by water pressure and you end up going in circles until the boat slows down enough to regain control of the rudder.

Good point.

Rudder-up reverse with amas -- I'm not sure if the AI would still have good directional stability -- might trip on the amas. Maybe you should try it.

Will try.

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For river rats try the piranha (small hand paddle)

http://www.backwaterpaddles.com/Piranha.html

Still trying to think of an ocean application.

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Trolling lures so you can watch the strike, working jigs on the move, backing away from a surprise reef, almost any reasons mentioned above.

Think he was talking of ocean applications for the paddle, not reverse in a kayak