It started out as a curiosity, became a novelty, caught on, started trending, and is now on the brink of becoming a downright phenomenon. We’re talking about Hobie Cat’s “next big thing” – the Hobie Mirage Adventure Island Kayak, and her big sister, the Mirage Tandem Island.
Chances are you’ve already seen these somewhere – there are now more than 98 clubs in 40 countries, with more on the way. From a distance, they look like small trimarans. But they’re a lot more than that. They also incorporate Hobie’s patented “Mirage Drive,” a system of efficient flapping fins underwater driven by a recumbent bicycle-looking system topside. It offers the best of two worlds – sailing and human power. Tired? Unfurl the sail. Too windy, or too high to point? Furl the sail and peddle. As a Hobie spokesman put it, “With this boat, you lose fewer days on the water.”
More sailing = more fun!
Another unique tweek to the Hobie Mirage Island movement is that its small, manageable sailplan (about the size of a Laser Radial) has made more than a few sailors out of kayakers – and a few kayakers out of sailors. It also appeals to fishermen, fitness buffs, campers, coastal explorers, nature lovers, or just folks who like fun on the water. In our book, that adds up to a bigger ‘crossover’ hit than any song Glen Campbell ever did.
Before we highlight a few Hobie Mirage Adventure Island plans around the world for Summer Sailstice, a big Happy Birthday shout-out to Hobie’s venerable Hobie 16, which celebrates its 45th birthday this year, and is still as fun as it ever was.
Hobie Island Kayaks ready for launch on the beach at Guanica, Puerto Rico.
Here are a few Hobie Mirage Adventure Island events happening on Summer Sailstice:
· Spain – Newbie Mirage Tandem ‘Islander’ Xavier plans to launch his new boat this coming month (May). On the Sailstice, he and a partner will cast off from Cambrils to explore Spain’s Gold Coast, in particular the La Mar de la Frau in the Tarragona region of Catalonia. We can tell you from personal experience this is one of the best-kept ‘secrets’ – and prettiest sailing areas - in the Mediterranean, if not the world. Welcome aboard and fair winds to Xavier!
· France – the Breizh Island Club of St. Malo invites all Mirage Islanders to join in their June 20 Summer Sailstice sail from Paimpol, around Ile de Bréhat and Ile Grande, off France’s Brittany (Atlantic) coast. Seven boats are signed up so far. Interestingly, Brehat is really an archipelago, and the two islands actually become one at low tide. The area is famous for its history, pink granite rocks, mild climate (thanks, Gulf Stream!) – and superlative sailing and mini-cruising the many small islands of the archipelago. (By the way, congratulations to Caroline, who will be enjoying this ‘French connection’ – and let us know about it back in March. She won one of our early-bird prizes - a Summer Sailstice burgee and subscription to Bluewater Magazine.) For more on the Breizh Island Club’s event, go to: http://www.lesevenements.fr/evenement-summer-sailstice-le-de-br-hat-19962
· Taiwan – Now here’s an adventure. Beginning March 24 (which means he’s already more than a week into it), Tony departed Taipei on his Hobie Mirage Adventure with plans to circumnavigate the entire island of Taiwan! “I’ll be sailing at least six hours a day and camping on the beach at night,” he reports. He’s figuring a bit over 40 days to complete the 700+ mile trip. No specifics on where he’ll be exactly on the Summer Sailstice weekend, but we definitely plan to clink glasses in his name then, and hope you will, too. Good sailing, Tony!
A Hobie Mirage Adventure will take you places!
· Bulgaria – We featured The Kayak Shop (located in the port city of Varna, on the Black Sea) earlier in the year, but it seemed appropriate to include them here again. On Summer Sailstice, the local Hobie Island Adventure club plans to repeat their 2014 celebration with a 31-mile coastal cruise from Varna, southwest to Pomorie and back again. You can find some great photos and videos at www.kayakshop.org (including a great one of how the Mirage Drive looks underwater). Unfortunately, most of the text is in Bulgarian and we couldn’t find a translator program.
Have we missed anyone? If you have a Mirage Kayak event planned for Summer Sailstice, and aren’t yet listed in our ‘Events’ site, please let us know!
It's hard to imagine an area more tailor made for cruising than the Brehat region of France.
· California - In Sausalito CA Hobie Island sailors are gathering for race, cruise and enjoy the San Francisco Bay waterfront just North of the Golden Gate Bridge. Check in here to connect with the San Francisco Bay Hobie Island fleet.
Life is good if you're sailing your Hobie in Sausalito.
A family affair.
