How does MirageDrive 180 reverse track in current

Contemplating buying MirageDrive 180 drive for my older Revolution 13, and wondering how controllable reverse is in current (or wind) while fishing to either hold a position or control the drift? I currently point forward into current with my V2 drive which works great but would be nice to use reverse instead, esp to face away from sun and cast better downstream. I did brief experiment to turn V2 around to go backwards which worked ok but did not track anywhere near as well as in forward mode. Would the 180 drive do much better...I figured maybe not since problem may be rudder (and propulsion) being in non-optimal position kinda like how trolling motors on motorboat work best mounted in front not on rear. Also, would 180 drive be any better using reverse on brand new Revo 13 vs my 2010 model?

First, are you using the large sailing rudder? It makes a world of difference in very slow boat control -- you should have one if you don't already, especially for the type of water you fish in!

Second, you're right about the MD 180 not improving your directional control over your older Drive. That can only come from the rudder. BUT, the MD-180 is about 100 times easier and faster to reverse and it can be done one handed while you continue to fish. So if you need to jockey back and forth you can maneuver effectively, in some ways better than with a paddle.

Third, yes you can use the AMD-180 on any of the older Mirage Drive boats. The newer boats have an alignment slot to make it more idiot proof to install the Drive, so the new Drives have an alignment pin. It is cut off to fit the older boats but that doesn't render it useless for the new boats. Here's an image mmiller posted recently showing the pin and slot.



In addition to the MD 180, the new Revo 13s have several features yours doesn't, notably the Vantage seat and Laurence ready transducer mount. The hull is the same though. You can look at purchasing a new Drive vs buying a new boat with Drive.

Its more a case of the nose of the kayak holding steadier facing into the current with a trailing rudder vs the blunt rear end with rudder being face into the current, rather than the actual drive itself. In the former the current is trying to straighten the rudder in the later it is trying to deflect it. Example when stern anchoring with rudder deployed in strong current it tends to skew the kayak as rudder tries to jacknife in current. Wheres front anchoring rudder wil help hold into current.

Be aware there is potentially updated mods rumoured for the MD drives so it may pay to see if this comes to fruition before making your decision

Stabilize the steering handle full-time while operating in reverse and you shouldn't have the rudder jackknifing problem. At speed, it takes a little more effort to manage the rudder while reversing.

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Howie Strech
Parts & Accessories Product Manager
Hobie Cat USA