Return my new Revolution 13?

So I just bought a Revo 13, now Hobie comes out with a new mirage drive. Lack of reverse almost took me to a different brand, now I will have to shell out (guessing $800ish?) for a reverse drive? Thinking of returning it and waiting couple months. Still have my old Perception yak....hmmm, what to do, what to do?

I have owned 2 Hobie's in the past 7 years and I can count on three hands, the number of times I used my paddle to reverse/back up.
It's just is not an issue for me

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

Same here, I've owned hobies for 5 years. The use for reverse to me is not necessary. I was out yesterday and I would not have used reverse once. The only place I could see using it, at that time I had the pedals out and used the paddle to launch. I went 2 ft and put the pedals in. Water was to shallow anyway for pedals. Pushed off and snap in, turn the rudder to steer your stern out, pedal forward. No need for them in land, you have forward movement.

For me it's just something else to break. I like keeping it simple with the mechanics of a kayak. The pedals today are as about complicated as I want to get.

Plus if I was to get them I'd wait a year or two for any bugs to be worked out. They will fit the newest year hobies with the click and go attachment. So you could sell your set and buy the new ones. Or maybe update the existing drive to the new with parts. Cost overall might be the same.

I updated the V2 drive to the GT parts, $130 later and I did the upgrade myself. Similar in cost if I bought a new GT drive plus I already had the turbo fins. The GT drives come with a different fin and I would have changed them too. So more cost added.

Good advice, I'll just see how much I use it myself, and go from there. Thanks!

The MD 180 will be available as an upgrade part mid-year 2017. Sept 1 through mid 2017, it will only be available with the purchase of a 2017 Mirage Drive kayak. The good news is that your Revo 13 will accept the MD 180 when it becomes available for purchase. If you decide it's something that you want, it wouldn't hurt to have the Mirage Drive ST as a back up drive.

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Howie Strech
Parts & Accessories Product Manager
Hobie Cat USA

When will the 2017 Outbacks be available?

Thanks!!

Ray

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Harold Ray Emerson
419 Lake Air Drive
Waco, Texas 78710

Phone: 254-772-3520

I suspect the biggest use of the "180 " feature on the new Mirage Drive will be to counter claims that the Hobie kayaks can't go in reverse - about the only thing the competition can cook up in order to compete with the Hobie MD.

I've owned Hobie Mirage Drive kayaks since 2005, 5 of them now, and I could count the number of times I've needed reverse on one hand. And in those rare instances, I either swung a 180 turn in the boat's own length, or pulled out a short hand paddle and made quick work of the thing.

While I won't disparage what is arguably another great Hobie innovation, I think it will serve little practical use on the water for most.

Bravo, Tom

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

My Hobie reverse.

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