More on the 2011 Hobie Mirage Outback

I recently posted that my wife and I "invested" (that's the word you use when you paid more than you wanted to and hope it wasn't a mistake :-) in a pair of 2011 Hobie Mirage Outback kayaks. Today I thought I'd offer up a little more detail on our favorite new "toys".

Hobie offers a whole series of kayaks with one that is sure to meet your needs.  As previously mentioned, our primary driver was to use them to get us and our camera gear closer to the action so the extra stability and storage offered by the Outback made it the right choice for us.  It's probably not the best option in their line if your intent is to shoot the white water rapids, but otherwise it's a great choice.

Photo compliments of www.hobiecat.com

Besides the stability and storage, the features that clinched the deal were the MirageDrive and Twist & Stow Rudder system.  The MirageDrive system is incredibly simple, pedal powered flipper system that was actually designed from the way penguins propel themselves through the water.  Hobie has produced a video that gives you a better appreciation than what I could do trying to explain it.

With your feet doing the paddling, your hands are free to operate the camera. Course corrections are as simple as adjusting the rudder control with one hand while continuing to fire away with the other.

We purchased ours from M&J Marine in Mosinee.  Ray Polzer, the owner, was a pleasure to deal with and went out of his way to make sure understood all of the features and walked away happy - including providing life vests and a wheel cart with our purchase.

If you've been considering purchasing a kayak, I'd strongly recommend giving the Hobie line a look.  They really do have some advanced features that make them so much more versital than those you'd buy at the local super store.  If you're in the Central Wisconsin area, you can't go wrong with M&J as a dealer either.  If you happen to visit, tell Ray I said "Hi". :-).

Time to get back on the water.  If you have any questions about the Hobie Outback or questions about kayak photography in general, drop me a note.  I'm happy to help.

-Ken