One for the Adventurer

Portability is the concept that allows the Hobie Mirage to really open your horizons because it can fit on top the roof of a large family car, yet its overall robust design and quality fittings, allows it to become an adventurer’s dream. Sydney Hobie retailer, Sailing Scene, is supplying one for a Kimberley-bound sailor and others have made extensive coastal voyages already. Assembled in a few minutes, the sturdy alloy arms are clipped together and diagonal cross bars swung out from the hull to lock them before the arms are slotted into the plastic floats (or amas as they are called).

Finally the roller furling two-piece carbon mast is dropped into its hole and the Hobie is ready to be wheeled down the beach on its special launching trolley. Of course, the Hobie also has the versatility of functioning as a simple kayak if you choose to leave the sailing attachments at home.

The layout is functional with cup holders, mesh covered stowage pockets and four hatched areas giving lots of options. The largest space is the rectangular forward hatch which is rubber sealed and is an ideal area for camping gear. This, along with three big twist-and-seal-hatches, give kayak-campers plenty of space.

Combine this with the optional trampolines and you’ve got excellent stowage. During our sail test I even climbed about on them so passengers could also be transported, or more likely surf boards so that you could reach those remote breaks.

The hull has a reasonably fine entry with volume coming towards the stern and the keel rocker is minimal which ensures good tracking. Windward sailing is taken care of via the starboard side flip down dagger board, reminiscent of windsurfing designs. Steering is via a simple lever on port side, and two toggles control the flip down rudder.

Propulsion options are interesting because you have the choice of the MirageDrive pedals which slot into a well in each cockpit and are adjustable for reach and height. The pedals power a pair of flippers, modelled on the wings of a penguin, that swing in a 90-degree arc. So at each rotation they are flat on the hull which allows beach landings without any protuberances and they can also be located like this for downwind sailing.

A two-piece paddle is part of standard equipment and paddle clips are fitted for storage. However, you’re unlikely to need paddles with the powerful 8.4m vertically-battened sail which is loose footed and sheeted from both cockpits. The two piece carbon mast is self standing but, again like a windsurfer rig, is designed to spill excess wind from the fat topped sail. A heavy grade of sail material is used, again keeping things robust, but a large clear window ensures good visibility. Hobie has plans to fit a foresail to complement the single mainsail and the current model has fixtures in place for this.

Beach launching is easy, after slipping the Mirage off its two-wheel trolley, and once afloat the rudder is flipped down by pulling a toggle. Pedalling takes you out to deeper water before pushing the metre-long daggerboard down. A pull on the spectra mainsail sheet releases the sail and sheeting in on the Harken jammers was easy as my hand naturally fell on the helm, a joystick style lever, as I accelerated quickly out of Balmoral Bay.

Remembering that this is really just a kayak, that moves at higher speed, spray over the sailor is inevitable so your choice of clothing is important, according to the season. Dinghy sailors may move relatively little and get away without breathable clothing but the Mirage pilot will be pedalling, paddling and sailing so a good breathable top, like the kind Hobie sell is advisable.

As for the lower body, on a yak or open kayak, sun protection as well as warmth can be an issue. During my own yak expeditions, that sometimes go on for several days at a time, I simply use leg hugging, thin acrylic jogging bottoms or a wetsuit in winter. However specialist watersport leggings are available that combine flexibility with warmth yet are breathable, unlike neoprene. Boots are ideal but the smooth mechanism of the Mirage is friendly towards bare feet as well.

Back at the helm of the Mirage as we sailed out to the open expanses of Middle Harbour and wave height increased to about 1-2ft, the spray really flew as I sheeted in hard and climbed to windward at nearly 40 degrees in the 10kt southerly breeze. Helm response was instantaneous yet tracking was steady, so steady in fact that I could roll out from the cockpit to the ama trampolines, and then even the bow, to photograph. I eventually found that the helm could even be left unattended for some time.

Tacking a small craft without a headsail, especially a trimaran can be sluggish but not the Mirage because any stalling in the turn is prevented simply by pedalling the powerful flippers. A choice of larger flippers is also available which adds to the power which is already impressive. In fact Hobie claims that one man pedalling a MirageDrive is equivalent to two men paddling and they even have a movie on their website showing this.

Gybing dinghies can often be fraught with danger, especially for the novice sailor, as the prospect of a ‘death roll’ followed by capsize looms. But not with the Mirage trimaran and with no hard boom to hit the head it’s not a scary prospect for even the novice. In the yachting world we’d call it a well-mannered boat. It’s actually the kind of craft I’d like to teach my 10 year old daughter on and both the single and double versions can allow an adult to sit out on the optional trampolines and instruct, should you wish.

Reefing the sail is another easy process with the Hobie-patented furling mast mechanism wrapping the North Sail main quickly via a spectra in-haul line. Approaching the beach to return in, I flipped up the dagger board and did the same, via a simple toggle, with the stubby rudder blade, then locked the pedals apart to flatten the flippers against the rounded hull.

Taking out the single seater version was equally enjoyable and it has enough buoyancy to carry a child as well as an adult with space at the stern for the small passenger. Handling and feel is similar to the bigger version but the smaller 5.34m sail meant inferior performance compared to the tandem version and the tandem’s optional headsail would really make it fly. The single seater’s popularity has allowed a healthy fleet to gather in Australia so one-design racing could be an interesting possibility.

But for this writer far horizons would beckon, the amas would be loaded with surf boards, large dry bags and those outer reefs would receive a visit; afterall it is named the Hobie Mirage Adventure Island.

Triak: US made Triaks are purpose built, fast sailing trimarans that have spinnakers and foresails. These are sit-in boats with wave-piercing hulls and several have been imported into Australia. Price $5899.00 plus shipping (from USA). Tel USA (1)619 240 5042

Ocean Kayak Cabo: Fitting a Pacific Action Sail to a double sit-on-top kayak is a popular option for keen touring paddlers. Price $1800 for Cabo and $470.00 for sail.