Modular Mirage Kayak in the future?

I was at a boatfair recently and there were a modular SOT on exhibition. The sections could form a solo,double and even a triple kayak. That facilitate transport and storage etc. I think this would work even with a Miragekayak as long as every seatsection was molded with it´s corresponding mirage drivewell. As a bonus we would get watertight bulkheads.

Do you call it "bulkhead" in english? The "wall" that separate a section of a boat from another.

Maybe optional solo-midsections and tandem-midsections with mastreceivers would be best in a Mirageversion.

Rotomoulding smaller sections is probably simpler, the TandemAI must be challenging to mould if that is the technique still being used. Logistics,ergonomy at the factory,handling of hullwarrantyissues etc -a lot of advantages for Hobie too.

A modular "Island" is perhaps impossible but it looked sturdy enough to make a modular Tandem Adventure with the small sailkit or perhaps two small sailkits and sidekicks on the midsection. The exhibition yak was slightly narrower than a "TI"-hull.

Anyway there are videos on youtube make a search for "Tequila kayak".

I've seen that modular one .... would be fun to see a
37 person Oasis in a race.

It's a very interesting idea but I can imagine that it would be problematic to make the connections strong enough to be able to handle the loads during sustained use while also staying rigid. That would especially be the case if you made the end sections longer so that the kayak in single mode won't be so short.

Say that it's about 4 meters long, like the Revolution, in single mode and that you add about 1,5 meters for every additional section you insert. Then in a hypothetical triple configuration the boat would be 7 meters long. Not an impossible length for a kayak by any means but handling the loads, when straddling two wave tops for example, while also being modular sounds like it could be difficult.

Speaking of modular boats, this one also has a fairly interesting design:
http://www.canalot.se/Index_eng.html

TRANFORMER kayaks! Cool!

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It is an interesting idea but for lakes and ponds. After doing some research, found a website that rated projected use and the kayak is not recommended for camping, expeditions, or surf.

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A modular Adventure would solve the problem of there being a single hull with no bulkheads meaning complete submersion in the case of a puncture or cracked hull. Richard at Point 65 says in reference to their new Tequila kayak, "This product has outsold our other 17 kayak models COMBINED!!" Maybe Hobie would be wise to kick around the idea of a modular Mirage Pedal Kayak in their design room.

Interesting stuff - the AI guys need to take a look at this thread

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Mickey
2016 AI Hibiscus
purchased NEW Nov 2021 - My 5th
Adventure Island Sailing since 2008

Can't imagine that this would...

A) Be strong enough for the loads that are on an AI, let alone TI.

B) Be very light weight (It would be heavy, especially if strong enough)

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

No,probably not strong enough for the loads of an Islandconfig but perhaps a modular non-Island Tandem Adventure. The modular concept definitely adds some weight, every section of the Tequila is about 11kg (that´s around 24 pounds) and it lacks a lot of features that would be expected from a Hobie like hatches etc but it is stated to be strong enough for waves and surf in the infosheet.

Maybe the weight could be brought down by only rotomoulding the complicated cockpitsection and having bow and sternsections in lighter materials,maybe a shrink-fitted or glued-in mirage drivewell like the one in the inflatables instead of attracting a lot of heavy PE to the area with metal-inserts in the mould etc.

I never thought a pedal drive could be used in the middle of rubber kayak... It is enticing to think of a pedal boat with a rear section, a bow section, and a pedal section - with the option to string pedal sections together to make 2, 3, and 4 person pedal boats. A good labyrinth sleeve design would take care of the strength problem. Weight wise, I'd rather carry three 30 pound sections than a single 65 pound kayak. The real design dilemma is how to get a rudder to work.

Channelmaster TV Antenna rotator with wireless remote control or
RC Airplane wing flaps controls ...

Seriously though,
something where a motorized left/right up/down motors and RC receiver with wireless remote could probably work, eliminating the up/down left/right cables to the stern.

Just brainstorming here

Some day, you'll enter the GPS coordinates of your destination in the computer on your kayak, and the evolve and rudder electronics will take you there while you nap or play games on your cell phone interface while listening to your favorite satellite station radio and watch Subscription HD TV video while the "picture in picture" shows the structure and fish below and with side imaging and scans the vhf marine channels while texting. When you get to the launch/ramp the wheels will retract into/out of your kayak like they do in airplanes so you don't need a separate cart. Then your RC controlled kayak will wheel itself to your car and load itself. After which you nap in the car on the way home as your car's electronics drive you home. Since you'll be tired after the long trip, the home robot butler will carry you up to bed and tuck you in.

A small computerized sailing trimaran with landing gear has already been done.
http://microship.com/microship/index.html

I met Steve at a COMDEX years ago, between his different Bike adventure days. Bought his book. Quite a character! He would fit in with this crowd.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

I want one

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Mickey
2016 AI Hibiscus
purchased NEW Nov 2021 - My 5th
Adventure Island Sailing since 2008