Fishermen often have to choose between speed and storage space when selecting a fishing kayak, but jus a few models, such as the Hobie Mirage Revolution 11 Fishing Kayak offer both. Equipped with the MirageDrive pedal system, this 11-meter, 6-inch long kayak flies across the water, while still allowing you to bring a lot of equipment.
Today, the market is full of durable and reliable kayaks for recreational or fishing purposes. But what if you want to do a little of both and you don’t feel like paddling all the time? The California-based Hobie company developed its designs in the 1950s and recently took a look at the world of pedal kayaks.
In our review of Hobie Mirage Revolution 11 Fishing Kayak, we will break down all you need to know about this pedal kayak model, which serves both as a reliable recreational kayak with just enough features to satisfy the fishing itch. Thus, if you want a portable and cheaper pedal kayak with a little more versatility than some more expensive options, you may have found what you are looking for.
Things to consider before buying
These kayaks generally have good stability to go along with a large, open deck that gives you plenty of room to move around and is easy to get in and out of.
But that big open deck means you’re more exposed to the elements. If you live in a cold or rainy environment, you should be prepared to get a little cold and maybe even a bit wet. Wear appropriate equipment when you are on the water or consider riding a “sit-in” kayak. These kayaks are slimmer, but offer more protection, especially for the legs and lower torso.
Like any pedal kayak, the Hobie Mirage Revolution 11 Fishing Kayak will require a little more maintenance than a typical kayak. Because of all the extra hardware it has, that means that you will spend a little more on a kayak of this kind.
While these fishing kayaks are faster than their paddling counterparts, there is no shortage of fishing and recreational kayaks that can be offered at a cheaper price. You could consider a boat like the Sea Ghost 130 from Vibe, which has many custom features for fishing at a lower price. The only downside is that you will have to paddle yourself all day long.
Specifications
- Length: 11-feet, 6-inches
- Width: 29 inches
- Weight: 81 pounds
- Load capacity: 275 pounds
Material
Like any other fishing and recreational kayak, Hobie Mirage Revolution 11 is made of a sturdy and extremely durable plastic called polyethylene. This material gives it excellent durability, resistant to stings or other damage. With a little maintenance and a little caution, you can expect the Revolution 11 to last a long time.
Speed
With the MirageDrive pedal system patented by Mirage, the Revolution 11 has an efficient and easy-to-use propulsion system that should surpass many traditional paddle kayaks. It is slightly shorter than most pedal kayaks and, although the kayak is easy to transport, it also means that it is a bit slower. The narrower width helps to some extent, but we would bet that longer kayaks in this category will be able to exceed it in most conditions.
Maneuverability
Hobie Mirage Revolution 11 Fishing Kayak comes with a useful rudder that is easily controlled by a joystick installed on the left side of the kayak’s seat. Once you catch the hang of it, Revolution 11 is able to make tight turns and navigate areas that kayaks with larger pedals will not be able to do. While the rudder system works well, we would still recommend bringing a paddle for tighter turns or more technical maneuvers, as pedal kayaks can sometimes feel too bulky in these particular scenarios.
Comfort
Mirage knows you won’t appreciate a high-performance kayak if you’re uncomfortable all the time. That’s why they developed the cool Vantage CT Seating design, which gives you a very comfortable and adjustable seat. The mesh cover is flexible and breathable, so it’s easy to keep cool on those hot summer days. The seat can be adjusted in four different directions (up and down, back and forth), so you can be sure that you will find a comfortable position.
Stability and tracking
Revolution 11 is slightly narrower than a lot of similar kayaks on the market but is still more than able to cope with any sudden weight changes that may occur while fishing. The shorter keel also means that the Revolution 11 will not look as good as the larger models. But when you learn to incorporate the rudder properly, you should not have too many problems keeping this kayak on the right track in the most difficult conditions.
Durability
This is not a challenge, but we will be amazed if you can make a hole in this boat. The plastic shell will absorb any accidental drops, as well as any swelling on the water or collisions that will inevitably occur. One downside is that the kayak does not have a skid plate built into the keel, so you will have to be a little more careful when entering rocky beaches.
Portability
For a pedal kayak, Hobie Mirage Revolution 11 is one of the most portable kayaks out there. Even fully equipped with the pedal drive system, it comes in well under 100 pounds. The eleven-foot, six-inch keel can be squeezed into the trunk of larger trucks. For those with smaller vehicles, a kayak rack with the right straps should be able to get it to the water without any sort of problems.
For transporting thekayak has two ergonomic handles on the bow and the stern for tandem transportation. While two people should be able to carry it, there is an extra carrying handle in the middle of the boat.
Ease of fishing
Although marketed as a fishing kayak, Revolution 11 does not have the built-in custom features that some more expensive fishing kayaks have. Instead, this boat makes the connection between recreational kayaking and fishing, making it a “jack of all trades” and a “master of no one”.
It comes with a pair of rod holders, so transporting your fishing poles won’t be a problem. But you won’t find any accessory tracking system in which you can easily install a GPS or other gadgets. There are also several mesh pockets in the cabin, where theoretically you could keep spare fishing gear or other small items you want to have on the water.
There is no transducer mount for a fish finder but there is plenty of dry storage space for a kayak of this size. The bow storage hatch should be large enough to fit your camping equipment without too much trouble.
The elastic cables have been stretched over a large portion of the deck, giving you space for oversized objects. The carrying capacity of the Revolution is a bit small compared to other pedal kayaks. It is capable of carrying 275 pounds and don’t forget that this includes the weight of the paddler as well. Overloading the kayak can make it unstable and more prone to overturning.
Value
The Revolution 11 is pretty much in a gray area between a fishing and a recreational kayak. This will make it more appealing to ordinary kayakers, who may want to go fishing but do not intend to take it too seriously.
Those who are more inclined to longer kayak trips will probably prefer a faster pedal kayak with a higher load capacity. Fishermen will favor more expensive kayaks, which include traces of custom accessories and a mount for a fisherman. But if you are in that gray area and want to try a pedal kayak, Hobie Mirage Revolution 11 seems reasonably priced. Thus, go on amazon.com for the best-recommended price range.
Short conclusion
Representing a midpoint for kayaking and fishing, Revolution 11 is a well-built paddle kayak that offers versatility and durability. More passionate anglers or expedition kayakers will probably want to look elsewhere, but for more regular kayak users that want to try a pedal kayak, Revolution 11 is a worthy option.
