Hobie Mirage i12S
Best Uses: Recreational paddling, flatwater, sailing, fishing
Brand: Hobie
Available At: WaterOutfitters.com – Hobie Mirage i12S
Number of Paddlers: 1
Stats: Length 12’, Width 36”, Weight 53 lbs., Load Capacity 500 lbs.
Accessories Included: Hand controlled rudder, paddling system, high back seat, twist and seal hatch in forward storage area, 4-piece paddle (with on board storage location), hand pump, rolling travel bag
Optional Accessories: Plug-in kayak cart, sail kit, anchor system, Pitot tube speedometer, cup holder, rod/accessory holder
Kayak Material: 1000 denier PVC
Pros: Self-bailing, option to pedal or paddle, comfortable, option to use sailing kit, very stable
Cons: Not too fast, a little on the heavy side for a one person kayak – definitely need the wheels to roll it to the water
More About the Hobie Mirage i12S
I am a big fan of the Hobie Mirage. I actually love this kayak but realistically it is not for everyone. Hobie is also a manufacturer of hard-shell kayaks and their inflatables happen to be very strong and rigid. In fact the experience is very similar to paddling their hard-shell kayaks.
The Hobie Mirage i12S is a solo inflatable kayak that can either be paddled with the kayak paddles or else pedaled with the two foot pedals. In my opinion the fact that this kayak comes with foot pedals is not only extremely fun but also a great way to switch up the muscle groups being used. I love the fact that if my arms are getting tired I can store the paddles in their holder and continue on my journey with the foot pedals. Talk about a great overall workout.
I am fairly sure that not everyone will agree with me and think that the foot pedals are a fantastic idea. I realize that it is not a standard inflatable kayak and many folks may not like this option. I personally really love to use my legs… I love to run, I love to hike and I also love to ride a bike. If I can paddle a kayak with both my arms and my legs that makes me very happy.
There is also an option to use a sailing kit with this Hobie inflatable kayak. It works quite well and if you like the idea of sailing then it can be a lot of fun.
The Mirage comes with a high back comfortable seat which is very important because if you are using the foot pedals you will find that you will lean back more than you would normally in a kayak and without the high back seat there could definitely be some back pain issues.
The fact that this solo kayak weighs over fifty pounds is a definite negative. That is heavy for one person to carry or maneuver and I would highly suggest using the wheels to get it down to the water.
Final Thoughts on the Hobie Mirage i12S
Yes I am a big fan of this inflatable kayak. Though a little pricey I think the Mirage offers a lot of value and fun for the money. Although it is self-bailing I think it is best for flatwater, but has the versatility to be able to handle some choppy waves as well. If you are considering this inflatable kayak I really think you will be quite pleased with it.
Pro Hobie Mirage i12S
- Self-bailing
- Option to pedal or paddle
- Comfortable
- Option to use sailing kit, very stable
- Good storage room – with front hatch
Against Hobie Mirage i12S
- Not too fast
- A little on the heavy side for a one person kayak – definitely need the wheels to roll it to the water
The Hobie Mirage i12S is Available At:
- WaterOutfitters.com – Hobie Mirage i12S
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If you own or have used the Hobie Mirage i12S please leave a comment and share your thoughts with others.
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