A fourth inflatable kayak has joined the Hobie lineup of inflatable craft. It’s the Mirage i11S, ideal for cruising, even standing up if you like to fish.
Given “Mirage,” you might assume—correctly—that the Mirage i11S has Hobie’s MirageDrive pedals. You use your legs and feet to operate fins beneath the hull. (Hobie does provide a hand paddle if you really want to get your heart pumping.) Roller bearings make pedaling smoother, too. And, the fingertip rudder control can be switched from one side of the Mirage i11S to the other, depending on whether you’re a leftie or rightie.
Other nice touches on the Mirage i11S: The high-backed, padded seat is adjustable and has breathable mesh sections. If you like to beach your kayak, you can remove the seat and use it as a beach chair. As shown above, fishing enthusiasts can use bungee cords to secure an optional H-crate to hold lures and/or beverages. Just forward of the seat, there’s a skid pad, for standing up while casting.
The Mirage i11S measures 11’3″ x 3’3″ (3.4 x 1 meter) and is the lightest-weight inflatable kayak from Hobie so far. Fully rigged, it weighs 64.5 pounds (29.3 kilograms). It has a rigid inflatable hull with two air chambers on each side and a drop-stitched center chamber, for stability. Between you and your gear, the Mirage i11S can hold 400 pounds (181.4 kilograms).
While the Mirage i11S will be available starting in November, it’s joining three popular models that each feature the MirageDrive pedals and suit a variety of needs. For example, if you like kayaking with a friend, the Mirage i14T is a tandem kayak. For yachts with limited stowage space, consider the Hobie Mirage i9. Measuring nine feet long by three feet wide (about 2.74 meters by 0.91 meters) when inflated, it fits in a rolling travel bag when not in use. That bag easily stows in a hanging locker, since it measures 30″ x 25″ x 12″ (76 x 64 x 30 centimeters). The Hobie Mirage i12S, meanwhile, is just three feet (about a meter) longer than the i9, featuring the same width. A handy bungee-secured, on-deck stowage compartment can hold small items you tote in your travels. When deflated and in its rolling bag, the Mirage i12S measures 36″ x 25″ x 12″ (91 x 64 x 30 centimeters).
In fact, all of the inflatable kayaks, including the Hobie Mirage i11S, come with rolling stowage bags and hand pumps. Handles make launching each kayak easier, and a variety of options, like sail kits, are also available.
The four models come with mango- and slate-blue hulls and flooring. Suggested retail price for the Mirage i11S: $1,999. The others range from $1,999 to $3,199.
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