12/27/2008 – Hobie Mirage Outback #2

Launch: 5-Rivers off the Causeway (Highway 90).
Launch Cost: Free.
Route: Back and forth on Sardine Pass to test and set up a new kayak.
Distance: 1.5 miles.
Average Speed: 2.0 mph.
Time: Approx 45 minutes.
Pace: Stop & Go.
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 72 degrees,
SSE winds 15 mph, water temperature approx 62 degrees.

1) Winds were light in the protected areas of Sardine Pass where I was setting up my Christmas present – a new kayak. At the same time, a mother and her son were testing out a Hobie Mirage Tandem kayak. Several others kayakers were taking advantage of the nice 70+ degree weather.

2) The 5-Rivers facility can be seen in the background.

Having been without a kayak for the past year and a half, I finally took the plunge (no pun intended) to help the sagging economy and bought my second Hobie Mirage Outback pedal kayak. My first Outback was retired about 2 years ago after taking 5 years to wear it out. Hobie has been listening to owner feedback and has implemented many recent design improvements. The main improvement I was waiting for was a stronger pedal drive unit and that came out this year. So I’m supporting Hobie’s endeavors to improve their pedal kayak even more by getting another one. Hopefully these new pedal drive units will be much more reliable than the older ones. Hobie supports their kayaks 100%. If I get 5 years worth of enjoyment from this new Outback like I did the last one, you can't put a price on enjoyment and bliss.

For those of you who used to visit this blog to see new photos, the old format will continue - this is a photo journal of kayaking trips in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. Posts are open for public comment, so feel free to comment or drop suggestions.