Thinking about getting a Hobie

Hi I just joined after seeing one of these in the bay today! The Mirage drive looks amazing! I'd like to purchase one very soon just not sure If I have the money to buy a new one. I'm looking for a used/new Hobie mirage revolution or maybe a sport. I found someone selling what they call a just a "mirage" on craigslist. No other info except a picture. I'm going to call him tomorrow but thought I would ask the experts. Can anyone tell if this is a revolution or a sport? Also I feel like he might be asking too much. If anyone would like to help me out I can't wait to get a Hobie!

Craigslist link: http://slo.craigslist.org/boa/1898698436.html

Hard to tell, but looks like an Outback. The newer ones have quick release fins vs the twist lock older system. The price is about $500 less for new with extras.

Do you mean the older Outbacks are $500 less than what he's asking for a new Outback? Well I just found out we have a Hobie dealer in town. Hopefully I'll get some time and stop by this week.

It does look like an Outback which are in the $1700 to $1800 price range for a 2010. He states obo (or best offer) and is including the Hobie Trax 2 cart ($180 approx) a Hobie high back mesh PFD ($85 approx).
His car carrier is not shown so no idea what he uses or the cost. The paddle if a Hobie paddle comes with the Outback as well as seat and Mirage drive. Any other paddle the cost depends on type and manufacturer.
Prices quoted are from web search and approximate.

If the hull and drive are in great condition his price with accessories may be a little high. Make an offer he may take less.

From all I have read in the forum and seen in for sale ads used Hobies are hard to find and Hobie kayaks hold a great resale value.

I may be wrong but I think what LarryJ may have meant is that everything brand new would cost you about $500 more.


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.

I have a couple of Outbacks, a couple of Sports, and a Revolution. That one looks like an Outback which is my favorite. We use them in the Gulf of Mexico and the bays in Florida. The Outback is simply the best boat for the money for an adult if for no other reason the stability of it. I weigh about 200 pounds and I can sit in mine and hang my legs over one side to relax and talk when we are taking a break. I sometimes carry over ten thousand dollars worth of camera gear in an Outback so stability is very important to me.

The Hobie dealers are the absolute best. They will happily help you even if you didn't buy the boat from them. I've yet to meet a Hobie dealer that didn't treat me like gold. I hope they are making a HUGE commission on their sales because they certainly earn every penny of it. And the Hobie boats are the finest on the water.



Don't settle for anything less than a Hobie.

Also, don't forget the Adventure, the fastest boat in the fleet.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

So I tested out a outback and a revo today! Apparently there is a Hobie dealer and they also rent kayaks out down by the bay. I really liked the revo (i think it was a 2009 or 2010?). The outback was a little slower. I don't think I really need that much stability. I'm really going for long distances and exploring as much as I can. I also want go out in the ocean on calm days. Both had the stock fins though. I'd like to see how much faster the turbo fins are. Is it normal to slap the fins against the bottom of the kayak? They seem like great kayaks. I think I'm getting a little over my head in the price though. I started out looking for a used kayak in the less than 300 dollar range and ended up finding a new kayak in the 2000 dollar range! I really hope I can get the funds together though and get out on the water!

@blueboat: I like that photo. Looks so cool.

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Hire Java Developer

hey wasted,

I like you started out looking for and ended up with a less expensive 9' paddle kayak. After several trips with others who all had longer kayaks that I could not keep up with I started looking for another kayak. I stumbled on the Hobie website never knowing Hobie even made kayaks. What the heck is this Mirage Drive. After seeing how it works on the web and since my primary use was exercise and fishing second (the priority has since reversed ) I thought how cool is this .. upper body paddling and lower body cardio. I read up on reviews and saw the new hybrid design of the revolution and there were some negative reviews on the paddlability of the Hobie Mirage kayaks but those had supposedly been resolved in the newer models. I visited my local Hobie Dealer and I was SOLD even without a test drive. The revolution fit my needs. After a year I sold the smaller kayak my wife used and got another revolution. I have never regretted the decision.

I have taken 14 mile, 13 mile, 10 mile and 7.5 mile day trips and on some never broke out the paddle.
If you plan long trips and getting there faster is an issue and stability is less a factor try an adventure.

Just remember whichever model you choose keep the piggy bank close by cause you will want to save for the Sail Kit and the Sidekick Amas in the future and now your talking fun fun fun and overnighters.

Enjoyyyyyyyyy!
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.

This is normal, but if you adjust the pedals correctly for your height, you'll be able to avoid the slapping and will move in total silence. Next time ask the dealer about the adjustable pedals.

We have a Revolution, and an Adventure. They're both great for kayaking. The Revolution moves along very nicely, and the Adventure is a little bit faster, but neither boat is slow. We upgraded to the turbo fins on the Revolution (my adventure came with them as part of the AI package) and haven't regretted them. They are expensive boats, there's no way around that, but if you can pull together enough money for the boats, stretching for the Turbo fins is a worthwhile investment. We also consider the carts to be part of the boat. They are too heavy to carry any distance and the carts, while expensive, work so easily.

I've never sailed the Revolution, but if you were just looking for a kayak to start, I don't think you'll get bored without a sail on the Revo. The nice thing about a Hobie is that you can always upgrade to a sail whenever you want. It's still a great kayak without it, and if you had bought a regular kayak, you'd never even have the option to sail it.

Good luck on your saving. I was able to save a small amount on my Adventure Island by buying a demo. You might want to see if your dealer would consider that.

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After owning several sea kayaks, I decided I wanted a Revo or Adventure. I placed a wanted ad on craigslist. Lot's of folks have boats collecting dust in the garage. I got a great deal on my Adventure with Hobie sail kit and turbo fins. Used is a great way to go, just inspect everything carefully.

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Southwest Hobie Island Club
http://www.facebook.com/southwesthic

I've owned a variety of kayaks over the last decade, and hobie mirage is by far the best for adventuring simply because you can go much much further and faster with much less frustration.

The wanted ad on craigslist is a great idea, I just sold an old Necky I had sitting under my deck for years. Just forgot about it. Heck, even put some signs up in the neighborhood grocery store or local marina. I'd put a low-ball price on it ($1000 or less... your call), and say you'd consider more depending on the boat.

Hobie mirages are hard to find used on craigslist, took me over a year. Wish I'd thought of a want-ad. In my experience, used is not an issue although there are always exceptions so make sure you give the boat a good visual. Make sure the drive and rudder work smoothly, make sure there are no holes or cracks. There's a leak test in the mod FYI forum, check it out. Leaks and cracks can be patched, but it is always good to know what you are getting into (and make sure you are comfortable with how to patch).

Get something that can take a sail, so you can upgrade cheap and easy later. But the first year with just the peddles should be enough if $ is a factor.

I personally wouldn't pay 1500 for that boat, but then again I always get tandems so the boat doesn't appeal to me to begin with.