The Hobie MirageDrive is the pedal system every Hobie pedal kayak is built around. You push two pedals back and forth, fins underneath sweep side to side, and the kayak moves. It is the oldest pedal drive in paddlesports and the reason people buy Hobie rather than something else.

Hobie currently names several versions, and the one in your kayak changes what you can do on the water. Here is what each does.

MirageDrive 180

The 180 is the drive that reverses. Pull a shift cable and the fins rotate 180 degrees, so the same pedaling motion that drove you forward now drives you backward at full power. No lifting the drive out, no spinning the kayak around.

That matters more than it sounds. Backing off a snag, holding position against current, or pulling away from a dock all happen with your feet while your hands stay on the rod. On our Hobie Outback the drive is the MirageDrive 180 Turbo with Kick-Up Fins and ARC Cranks, which runs the larger Turbo fins for more thrust per stroke.

Hobie lists the MirageDrive 180 across the Pro Angler 12 and Pro Angler 14, and on the Tandem Island.

MirageDrive 360

The 360 rotates the entire drive unit. Thrust can point any direction on the compass while the hull stays aimed where you left it. Hobie's own framing is moving "in every degree on the compass."

Put plainly: a 180 moves you forward and backward along the line of the kayak. A 360 moves you sideways, holds you against a crosswind, or spins you in place, all without picking up a paddle. On open water with wind on the beam, that is the difference between fishing a spot and drifting off it.

It comes on the Pro Angler 12 360 and the Pro Angler 14 360, both of which pair it with rudder control for dual steering. Hobie's current generation of that line is the 360XR Drive in the Pro Angler 360XR Series.

MirageDrive with Glide Technology

This is the version Hobie puts in the inflatable line: the iTrek 9 Ultralight, the iTrek 11, the iTrek 14 Duo and the iTrek Fiesta. Same pedal-and-fin principle in a package that packs down.

Kick-Up Fins

Kick-Up Fins are patented and they are on every current drive. The fin retracts by itself the moment it hits something, then drops back down once you are clear. Hobie's line for it is "Logs, kelp, shallows, rocks, no problem."

This is the feature that makes a pedal kayak usable in skinny water. A fixed fin in six inches of water over gravel is a repair bill. A Kick-Up Fin folds, you keep pedaling, and it resets on the next stroke.

The one maintenance habit that protects the drive

Retract the MirageDrive and flip the rudder up before the hull touches sand or gravel. Hobie names beaching with the drive and rudder down as a warranty exclusion, and it is the most common way these kayaks get damaged. It takes two seconds.

Not sure which drive suits how you fish, call us at (615) 696-7887 or look through the Hobie kayaks we carry.

Hobie MirageDrive Questions, Answered

How does the Hobie MirageDrive work?

You pedal back and forth rather than in circles. Each pedal is connected to a fin under the hull, and the pedaling motion sweeps those fins side to side. The fins push water and the kayak moves. Your legs do the work and your hands stay free.

What is the difference between the MirageDrive 180 and the 360?

The 180 gives you forward and reverse along the line of the kayak by rotating the fins 180 degrees. The 360 rotates the whole drive unit, so thrust points any direction while the hull stays put. The 180 covers water and reverses off trouble. The 360 holds an exact position in wind, current and tight structure.

Are Hobie MirageDrives interchangeable between kayaks?

Not universally. Drive versions and the drive wells they sit in have changed across model years, and the mast length and chain run have to match. Before you buy a drive for a kayak it did not come with, call us at (615) 696-7887 with the model and year and we will confirm it fits.

Can I put a MirageDrive in a kayak that is not a Hobie?

No. The drive needs a Hobie drive well and the mounting geometry that goes with it. Other brands run their own pedal systems, and those are built into their own hulls. If you want a MirageDrive, you want a Hobie.

How do I adjust the MirageDrive?

Set the pedal length so your legs stay slightly bent at full extension, the same way you would set a bike seat. Straight-legged pedaling wastes power and loads your knees. On the cranks and cables, keep the chains and shift cord clean and check them for wear each season. Bring it to us at (615) 696-7887 if a cable needs replacing and we will handle it.

What are the Turbo fins?

Larger fins than the standard set. More surface area moves more water per stroke, which gives you more thrust and more speed for the same cadence. The Outback runs the MirageDrive 180 Turbo.

Do I still need a paddle?

Yes, and keep one aboard. When the water gets too shallow for the drive, or a fin needs clearing, a paddle is how you get moving again. Several of the Hobie fishing kayaks include a two-piece paddle that stores on the hull.

How long is the Hobie warranty?

Hobie covers 3 years on 2019 and newer kayaks against defects in materials, manufacturing and design, and repairs or replaces at their discretion. Claims route through the authorized dealer you bought from, which is us.