Why I'm considering the Hobie Mirage Passport 12.0

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a kayak; the main one is what you intend to use it for. I want a kayak that can not only carry me and my fishing gear, but also camping gear so that I can make weekend excursions and get to some pretty out of the way places without having to head back to the truck before the sun sets. So, for me, weight capacity and ease of travel are my most important concerns.

The Hobie Mirage Passport 12.0 features the MirageDrive Classic propulsion system which is basically a pedal drive that instead of pedaling like a bicycle you make more a walking motion while seated. The pedals operate two fins which act like a penguin's wings to propel you forward. You expend less energy and can achieve significant thrust with the MirageDrive Classic, and it's only real drawback is that to go in reverse you have to remove the drive and turn it around. That sounds like a pain, but from what I've seen it takes a few seconds.

It can hold 400 lbs, so there is plenty of wiggle room for a backpack and tent along with some rods and a tackle box. At only 73 lbs the kayak is light enough to manipulate, especially when you consider Hobie's optional wheel accessories that allow you to walk the kayak across multiple terrain types depending on which option you buy. At 12' long it might seem daunting to some, but there are options available to make securing the kayak in the back of a truck or on top of a vehicle completely doable.

The Hobie Mirage Passport 12.0 comes with 2 rod holders, and I never take more than 2 rods fishing, but Hobie's accessory attachment tracks mean more rod holders if you need them. There is tackle storage under the seat, and room in the back to hold a milk crate. There's even a Power-Pole micro bracket indent on the back so you can anchor in shallow water if that's your thing.

Right now it's available on Hobie's website (here) for $1599 US, which may seem high to a lot of people (me included) but you are buying more than just a kayak from Hobie - you are buying a whole lot of peace of mind. If your MirageDrive ever breaks, or you decide to upgrade to the 180 version, you can order replacement parts online. Want to upgrade the standard fins to the Turbo model? They have you covered. There's even a 3 year limited warranty on any 2019 or newer craft that covers defects in materials, manufacturing, or design.

Some other features that are really making me like this kayak are related to the drive system and craft operation. You can flatten the drive fins against the bottom of the boat to access shallow water with nothing more than your feet. You can raise and lower the rudder while seated, in case you need to float over submerged obstacles. You can steer the kayak using one hand with the rudder control knob. The built in forward facing rod caddies look amazing, which allow you to set a rod down beside you and not worry about it falling into the water while you unhook a fish.

It can't all be good though, so let's go over some of the things I don't like. The access hatch/"dry" storage is directly in front of the seat... on the floor of the kayak. Anyone who has ever been in a kayak knows that water WILL pool there on occasions. Unless that hatch is completely waterproof I wouldn't store my phone/keys/wallet in there without them being in a dry bag. There is no transom to mount a trolling motor, which is definitely not a deal breaker for me, but with so many hybrid kayak/fishing boats on the market it would be neat to see that motor mount area. Other than those few things I think I'm in love. Hopefully I can spring for one once we officially sell the house.

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