Hobie Mirage Compass User Manual

Hobie® Mirage

®

Compass

Kayak Manual

In 1950, Hobie’s dream was born in his

parents’ garage when he decided to apply

his love of woodworking to the sport of

surfing. Dad backed out the Buick... Hobie

carved out his very first surfboard...

Hobie’s business of fun had begun.

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Table of Contents

Anatomy ............................................................................................................................................................ .5

Seating...... .......................................................................................................................................................... .6

MirageDrive® ................................................................................................................................................ .10

On the Water ................................................................................................................................................ .13

Lowrance® Ready Option ......................................................................................................................... .15

Storage and Transport ............................................................................................................................. .18

Maintenance and Care ............................................................................................................................. .21

Safety ............................................................................................................................................................... .23

Warranty ........................................................................................................................................................ .25

Look for this icon. Online video is available at

www.hobie.com/support

Please read through the instruction manual before using this product

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Anatomy

1. Hull

2. Seat

3. MirageDrive

4. Paddle

5. Cassette Plug

6. Lowrance Ready Kit

Items not shown to scale

1

2

3

4

5

6

6

Seating

Seating Assembly

1

2

Line up threaded
inserts on seat
back frame with
holes molded
in seat bottom
frame.

Once aligned, insert
screws and tighten. Do
not over tighten as seat
will not be able to pivot.

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Seating Anatomy

Seating

Seat back

Seat frame

Support strap
adjustment

Mesh tension straps

Lumbar adjustment strap

8

Pad Eye

Seat Installation

1

2

3

Seating

Place the seat onto the
seat mounts.

To secure the seat to the boat,
attach the two hooks under the
seat to the seat retention loops.

Clip the two back straps to pad eyes
on the boat.

Make sure clips are attached to
the boat not the retention loop
on the chair itself.

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Using the seat outside the boat

1

2

Seating

Unhook the seat retention hooks
from the boat and remove the seat.

Clip the two back straps to the
seat retention loop.

10

CLICK

Removal

Level

Press down and lock drive into
Click and Go’s. The drive locks
automatically when installed.

Lower drive
straight down
making sure the
spine is level.

Lift drive
straight up

Pull back
each Click
and Go lever

Installation

1

2

1

2

MirageDrive Instruction

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MirageDrive Instruction

Pedal Adjustment

Squeeze

Adjust cranks
by rotating and
clicking them
into the desired
position. Make
sure both cranks
are in the same
position number.

With both feet on
the pedals and
together (fins
straight down),
your knees should
be comfortably
bent and not
crunched or over
extended.

Squeeze
adjuster handle

1

2

3

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Adjusting Pedaling Resistance

MirageDrive Instruction

Turn the thumb knobs
clockwise, to loosen
the fin from the boom,
reducing resistance on
the fins when pedaling.

Turn the thumb knobs counter-

clockwise, to tighten the fin to

the boom, increasing resistance

on the fins when pedaling.

Locate the thumb knobs
on the MirageDrive.

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MirageDrive Operation

Press either pedal forward in shallow water to raise fins. Pressing one pedal
fully forward will orient the fins with the kayak underside to allow beaching.

Shallow Water and Beaching

On the Water

14

Rudder

Rudder

Rudder

On the Water

Rudder UP

Steering

Paddle Storage

Uncleat ‘Rudder’ T-Handle
to deploy rudder.

The ‘Rudder’ T-Handle is located on the right/
starboard side near the front of the kayak.

The steering handle is
located in the middle on the
left/port side of the kayak.

Pull ‘Rudder’ T-Handle line

through cleat to retract rudder.

Rest paddle on the right
side rail for storage.

Secure by hooking the
shock cord around
eyelet post on the hull.

Rudder DOWN

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1/8” or 3mm gap

The transducer is an optional
accessory and is not included
with boat.

Metal clips

Transducer Install

Lowrance Ready Option

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Locate the thru-hull
plug and unscrew the
nut on the inside of
the boat.

Gasket

Gasket

Remove the solid
rubber plug.

Choose the correct
plug for your wire
size and insert the
wire by opening the
plug along the slit.

Press the new
plug with the wire
installed into the
plastic plug making
sure it fits tightly.

DO NOT USE A
DRILL for the three
way plug. Bolt or
screw the thru-hull
wire assembly to the
hull using the nut or
screws. Make sure
you have the o-ring
or gasket installed.

Thru-Hull Plugs Single and 3-way

1

2

3

4

5

Lowrance Ready Option

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Hole #1

1”

Choice for Hole #2

1

3/8” Left or right

2

3

Lowrance Ready Option

Wire Installation

Drill one 1” hole and one 1 3/8” hole using a hole saw in the areas
indicated. The forward hole can be drilled on the left or right.

Run cable into the
plug just in front of the
transducer scupper.

Lead the cable through the inside
of the hull and exit the cable
through the 3-way Thru-Hull Plug.
Hand tighten screws to avoid
stripping threads.

1

18

Storing your boat
cockpit side up on
crossbars can dent
the bottom.

Storing your boat
on its side over a
long period of time
can flatten/dent
the sides.

Hanging the boat by
the scuppers can
distort the scupper
holes.

Never hang the
boat by handles
or pad eyes. They
are not designed to
handle long–term
load and will fail.

Storing your boat
upside down on
crossbars or
hanging from wide
strapping are two
ways to keep the
boat stored.

Storage Do’s

Storage Don’ts

Storage and Transportation

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Storage and Transportation

Store out of the Weather

1hr.
MAX

Cart

The cart should be used for transportation purposes only and not as a
storage platform. Do not leave your boat on the cart for more than one
hour (less time in warmer temperatures or direct sunlight).

Additional Storage Key Points

• Always remove all water from boat.

• Don’t leave tie–down straps tight over a long period of time.

• Storing in non-recommended configurations can result in hull
damage and can void your warranty.

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The best way to transport your boat is to purchase a trailer or roof rack
from your dealer. Using proper cradles that support the hull, the boat
can be transported right side up. Straps can then be laid across the boat
and tied to the rack bars. Straps should be tight, but not so tight that
they distort the shape of the boat. Avoid using ratchet straps to prevent
overtightening.

Be sure to consult your car and roof rack owner’s manual to
ensure that you comply with all recommendations, precautions
and specifications.

Running a line or strap from the bow and stern of the boat to each
bumper is required. If your bumpers do not have a gap to pass a rope
around, look underneath. There should be a loop of metal, which is used
by car transports such as tow trucks.

Many people like to use the scupper holes to tie the boat to the car. This
helps prevent the boat from sliding back and forth or the tie-down rope
from slipping off the boat. (This is an acceptable method for tying the
boat down for transport.)

Roof Topping

1

2 3

Storage and Transportation

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Maintenance and Care

MirageDrive Regular Maintenance

Hobie

Lube

Checking
Cable
Tension

Visit hobie.com/support for information on the MirageDrive.

Cables should be
tight enough so
they can only be
slightly squeezed
in under firm
finger pressure.

Note: Excessive sediment
on the drive can impair
function, rinse thoroughly
after every to avoid this.

Use lubricant on the chain
components frequently.

22

Rudder

Pull the rudder into the up
position. This makes sure the
rudder runs central.

If the steering feels loose:

Loosen the screw
clamping the rudder
line.

Pull the slack out of the
rudder line making sure the
steering handle is straight.

Wrap the line twice around the screw.
Tighten the screw to clamp the line.
Repeat for the other side.

Rudder Tuning

1

2

3

4

Maintenance and Care

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Safety

Always:

• Wear a Coast Guard approved
personal flotation device (life
jacket).

• Dress appropriately for
weather conditions; cold water
and/or weather can result in
hypothermia; apply sunscreen
and other sun protective
clothing.

• Check your equipment prior to
each use for signs of wear or
failure.

• Tie a safety leash to your
paddle and MirageDrive.

• Scout unfamiliar waters.

• Be aware of river water levels,
tidal changes, wind conditions,
obstacles in and above the
water and weather changes.

• Always make sure that your
hatches are secure and closed.

• Carry a pump and/or bailing
device.

• Always carry the spare paddle
provided with the boat.

Never:

• Never go alone and always
file a float plan.

• Never go in flood and/
or fast moving water
conditions. Hobie kayaks
are not designed for fast
moving water.

• Never exceed your ability
and be aware of your
limitations.

• Never use alcohol or mind­altering drugs prior to or
while using this product.

• Never open your hatches in
unstable water conditions.

• Never remove the foam
pieces inside the hull. They
are installed for structure,
additional flotation and
safety.

Checklist

Please read through the owner’s information package prior to using this
product.

The user of this product acknowledges both an understanding and
assumption of risk involved in paddle/pedal sports. Consult your
physician prior to beginning.

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Shakedown Cruise

As with any new product, it is important that you become familiar with
the kayak and all its features. It is also important to determine that the
kayak is sound before long trips. We recommend that you do what we call
a “shakedown cruise” when the kayak is new, after shipping or transport,
before long trips and after installing any thru-hull fittings. This test
is typically done in shallow, calm conditions where you can familiarize
yourself with or test the kayak before taking any long trips into open
water. Things you should check or practice are:

• MirageDrive installation, adjustment and removal.

• Rudder operation.

• Closing hatches properly.

• Drain plug locations to make sure they are properly installed.

• Getting in and out of the boat from a capsized state.

Mirage Kayak Cassette Plug

Your Hobie is shipped with a Mirage Cassette Plug. The
plug is provided as standard equipment in the Mirage
Kayak package. Insert the plug into the Mirage well when
the MirageDrive is removed to provide added safety and to
“fair” the bottom of the hull when paddling.

Getting into your Kayak

If you fall out of your kayak, stay with the kayak. You should be properly
wearing a life jacket/PFD which will keep you afloat. If the kayak is upside­down, it will need to be turned over. To do this, reach across the bottom
of the kayak and grab the scupper hole or the Hobie MirageDrive and pull
the boat upright. Position yourself so your head is near the cockpit area
of the kayak and you are facing the kayak. You will want to be between the
seat and the foot well areas of the kayak. Reach across the kayak to the
far edge with one hand. Place the other hand on the near-side rail, then
kick with your feet, pulling yourself up and onto the kayak. Roll over onto
your backside toward the seat, which should place your backside in the
seat. Sit up, swing your feet into the foot wells and you’re ready to go.

Safety

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Warranty

It is very important that you complete and send us your
Product Registration Card as soon as possible.

This information enables Hobie to contact you should there be important
product information that needs to be shared with you in a timely manner.
Please complete the Product Registration Card in your Owner’s Packet,
or take advantage of our online option at:

www.hobie.com/support/product-registration

If you have a question or issue with your Hobie product, please see your
Authorized Hobie Kayak Dealer. They will assess the problem, assist with
a repair and file a warranty claim with Hobie Cat Company if needed. All
warranty claims must go through your Authorized Hobie Kayak Dealer.
The Warranty Registration Card and Warranty Policies are included with
each model in the Owner’s Packet. Type in the address below to go to our
dealer finder web page.

All specs, colors, graphics and features are subject to change without
notice. Please refer to the website for complete details.

www.hobie.com

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Accessories

Heavy Duty Plug-In Cart

Inflatable PFD

Hobie Multi-Lube

Hobie Vantage Seat bag

For more accessories see:

www.hobie.com/catalogs-brochures

Kayak Cover

H-Crate

Livewell

Hobie H-bar

Enjoy the Ride!

PN 81701017

REV 170601

Hobie Cat Company

Holding Company

Oceanside, California, USA
1-800-HOBIE-49

Hobie Cat Australasia

Subsidiary

Huskisson, New South Wales, Australia
1-800-4-HOBIE

Hobie Cat Europe

Subsidiary

Toulon, France
[phone]

Hobie Kayak Europe

Independent Distributor

Stellendam, The Netherlands
[phone]

Hobie Cat Brasil

Independent Distributor

Porto Belo, Santa Catarina, Brazil
[phone]

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