Hobie R&D

Well, I just watched the "Hobie Story" video, very interesting and what an inventor! Really cool that he tested all the boats so thoroughly back then before he rolled them out to the public.

I have to be honest, but based on some issues on this forum with the kayaks, I don't get the feeling that the R&D is quite as thorough today. When did Hobie release their first kayak, that film was quite outdated?

Great service after the sale is absolutely important, and it is clear that Hobie has that right. But why not release the kayaks without some of the small issues, like pegs and screws, little stuff that would just drive me mad!!!

Lisa

We started building kayaks in the mid 90's.

Our products are well tested. We are quite careful, but you can not easily test mass production, shipping, handling and the multitude of differing conditions and ways people use products.

The seat pegs were not an issue when introduced and not a problem for many years. This became an issue over time and with changes to the seats and varying suppliers it became an issue. Not sure what "screws" you refer to.

We'll keep trying!

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

And it sounds like the Oasis was only just introduced in 2008! I don't know, some guy complaining about screws and gaskets on his OB or PA on one of the threads, small issue indeed.

Matt, "A" for effort. It would be interesting to see a grid of the release years of each model...

Lisa

The first "Oasis" we bought (then known as the "Mirage Tandem") was a 2001 model built in 2000. It was the only tandem Mirage Drive at the time. It was renamed the Oasis concurrent with the introduction of Hobie's second tandem, the Outfitter. The only single seat model was called the "Mirage", first introduced about 1997 and later renamed the Classic. It was superseded in 2007 by the Revolution.

That makes the Oasis the longest running Hobie Mirage drive kayak in the Hobie fleet. The Oasis has had 2 hull redesigns over the years to improve its capacity, stability and efficiency, and one major cockpit redesign -- and about 100 small improvements. Still, same basic dimensions -- you'd recognize our 2001 model instantly -- but a vastly more capable boat today!

Other introductions (year models) -- Outback 2003, Sport about 2004, Adventure 2006, Outfitter 2006, Adventure Island 2007 and inflatables 2008 and 2009. The year model starts the previous year (like with cars) so some of these were available slightly earlier.

GREAT information!! Thank you so much! Now they need to do a history video on that!!

Lisa

Yes, thanks for the info.

I'm not sure it was actually called the Oasis in 2000 (I had one, and can't find the word Oasis anywhere. Was the name used on a later model? Mine had pretty high mileage on it when I sold it. Still in pretty good shape, rebuilt the pedals a few times and replace chains, but overall pretty easy to adjust and maintain. We had several years where we would be in it almost every day (and a lot of nights).

I've got a 2012 Oasis now, and is quite a bit more capable. Just wish it had the new 2015 seats. Not yaking as much, but still in it 2 to 3 x a week. Going for a run in about an hour.

_________________
Seevee
Mirage Oasis Tandem
Mirage Outback

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