!Jones wrote:
On Sat, 11 Feb 2006 13:10:03 GMT, in rec.boats.paddle John Fereira
wrote:

I've never paddled one but I think of a few things I might be concerned
about.

As someone else mentioned, the mirage drive doesn't help one paddle sideways
or in reverse. For many, kayaking is much more than just going forward. It
seems to me that the primary benefit of the mirage drive is that it allows
one to get from point A to point B in a relatively straight line a little
quicker.

For those that like to do multiday expeditions it doesn't appear to provide
storage capacity though the Adventure model looks it has a small section in
the bow with a hatch cover. Is a Hobie mirage drive kayak something you
could see doing a week long trip in?

I'd be somewhat concerned about a reliance on a mechanical device to propel
the kayak. If something goes wrong with it is a paddler going to be able to
manoever the boat effectively with just a paddle if the've relied on the
mirage drive for forward propulsion rather than developing skills with a
paddle? The problem could be compounded by very windy and/or rough
conditions. As it also has a rudder, developement of steering skills using
only a paddle might not be as good as someone that only has been using a
paddle.

SOT kayaks are often very popular in warm water conditions but you don't see
too many of them in places where the water gets very cold. If you're not in
calm conditions you're likely going to get much wetter than in a closed
cockpit kayak.

All valid issues that need to be addressed, IMO.

I wonder if they're reasonably agile with just a paddle? With a
tandem, the mechanical drives are independent, so they probably
wouldn't both fail at the same time... then again, the designers of
the Titanic used similar logic.

Methinks that it would fit our proposed use well; however, there's
just something aesthetically unpleasing about the boat from the
polyethelene material to the mechanical drive. The wooden hulls are
much nicer to look at.

If you're using a sail on a kayak, don't you need a board of some type
that keeps you from being pushed sideways? ... or is a sail strictly
a down wind device?

Jones

Jones, I paddle a Folbot and a Klepper folder, both doubles. These are
very seaworthy boats, some call them decked canoes. They have the
advantage of a larger semi-open cockpit like a canoe, but can be
completely covered with spraydeck.

From reading your concerns, you are looking for something family
friendly, and depending on the size of the children, you can put two
adults with a small child. These are beamyer, than the regular
seakayak, so are not as apt to roll, which with children, I would not
expect you plan to do much of. The tandem configuration is not
impossible to roll, and has been demonstrated by proficient paddlers.

They have a lower center of gravity and a lower profile than a canoe,
so they are not as subject to the wind. They can be paddled with a
double or single paddle, which allows you to choose your preferance
depending on prevailing conditions. I prefer the single especially if
there is a wind blowing and you don't need the second paddle up in the
wind. This is especially handy when sailing, to be able to use a single
paddle is more maneuverable with the sail rig in place.

You might want to consider these as an option. Folders tend to be more
expensive than poly seakayaks, but hold there resale value a whole lot
better. They can be stored easier if that is an issue, and transported
disassembled, which lends itself to carrying more than one if necessary
with your larger family. You should be able to find them more widely
available than the Hobie/Mirage, and should not be subject to regional
limitations due to cold water, or warm temps either. They are used all
around the world from expeditions in Alaska, to the Congo, to the
Danube. Folks fish from them, photograph wildlife, and as myself, just
toole around in them. RkyMtnHootOwl OvO