Mirage Drive 180

So I was lucky enough to get my hands on a new Mirage Drive 180 recently. $$$ Not cheap, but an amazing advantage that I'm willing to bet on. My initial impression of the drive is...that it's kinda goofy looking. The fins are shaped differently and not swept back like the regular drive, the fins are perfectly straight so they can pivot forward and backward. All this leading me to think that there might be some change in the thrust or overall feel while peddling...But after having used them, they are very similar if no different than the GT drive, also smooth and slick like the GT.



The new Drive feels much heavier than the regular GT drive. So I decided to weigh them to find out how much heavier.

Mirage Drive 180


GT Drive


So the 180 is approximately 6 oz heavier than the standard GT drive...it sure feels like it's more but it's not.




The Shifting mechanism:

Now if there's one thing that feels like it could break on this new drive it's going to be the shift levers. I found that when you pedal, sometimes your foot hits it. I guess time will tell how sturdy the plastic parts are. So far they seem to work just fine...but then again I've only used them for a day.



As far as shifting from forward to reverse with the new drive, you have to give it a good solid pull in order for it to engage. It doesn't seem possible for the drive to accidentally go into reverse while your peddling. I found that switching from forward to reverse is very difficult while moving faster than 2 knots, probably because the fins have to go sideways for a second, and you have to overcome the resistance of the water against the fins.








Fishing with the new Drive.

So while looking for a halibut this weekend I snagged some rope and pulled up a still usable ambush hoop net...I got some cleaning to do... ! Oh and by the way I did catch a halibut as well if you didn't notice.



The ability to go into reverse is just awesome. You now have an incredible amount of control with the new drive. I knew from the first announcement of the new drive that it would be great for hooping lobster. So on my first lobster trip with the new drive later on that night, I decided to test out that theory...it did not disappoint! With wind and current blowing me around, it just made every operation faster and more efficient. Instead of having to grab my paddle or having to circle around to retrieve, deploy or set my gear, I could just back up quickly easily and hands free. For me, this reason alone justifies the cost of the new drive.



So not a bad maiden voyage with the new drive. Nice Halibut and a limit of lobster to go along with it...?! Did I need it to catch what I caught..? No...but it sure made it alot easier and alot more fun. So watch out for the new Mirage Drive 180! Available now at your local Hobie dealer or OEX here in Socal...but only with the purchase of a new kayak. Otherwise you have to wait until next year to purchase one. :cheers1:

sweeeeet.....

_________________
2019 Outback360 'Fish Retriever'
2016 i11s 'Go Cougs!'
2012 Oasis and 2012 PA12 (moved on but not forgotten...)

Whoa! How did you get a 180 drive so soon? I thought Hobie was only selling kayaks with the new drive till Spring when they would start selling the drives separately.

And how much $$? Give!

Yes- price?

Not yet offered for sale as a part... pricing will be in the spring catalog most likely.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I was able to use one of these drives for a day in Sarasota last week from Economy Tackle. I found it to be very smooth and just as fast as older units. Since it was new it was very smooth and felt better than other older drive with some wear on it.

Loved having reverse. Its funny, I never really even considered how nice it would be to kayak next to a person in reverse to have a conversation.

I think its a winner and worth the money. That said I'm not thrilled with the method for toggling back and forth. I wish there was something that was a single control. I also with there was a visual indicator if direction and state. Perhaps future models will have something if enough people feel the same way I do...

Looking at the photo of the underside of the yak the 180 drive appears to protrude several inches below the bottom. I spend a lot of time crossing some vey shallow areas and wonder if this will prevent me from getting across areas where I have to lock my fins down and push pole across,with my hull sometimes dragging the bottom and how well will the drive hold up if it is dragged through mud/sand/grass or even to occaisional oyster bed?

With the fins up, there is less than 1/2 inch difference in depth. The entire fin assembly rotates to the side.


I have over 200 miles on the MD 180 so far, have gone through lots of shallow water with muddy bottom, dirty water and debris -- have had no problems. Couldn't say about oyster beds -- we don't get them here.