Todd, Matt Broze responded to your post by saying: "The initial stability of the Hobie (Mirage) is relatively high but without a paddle I think I'd be pretty nervous in rough water (only tried it on calm water though). Paddling the paddle version of that hull I discovered there wasn't much secondary stability. The first time I leaned it to time how fast I could turn it the deck went underwater and hooked the rail so quickly that it was a good thing I had a reflexive brace or I would have gotten wet." And it made me think of Richard Kemmers post: "Then I learned something: With its excellent secondary stability, the boat would not roll unless I lost MY balance. As long as I had a paddle in the water and was either paddling or bracing, it made little difference what the boat was doing. Eventually I became comfortable with the Arctic Hawk, and in most conditions today, I wonder why I ever thought it tippy. But in big seas, especially with cross chop, I still take a minute to stop and think: As long as "I" stay upright, the boat will do just fine." I have not tried the Hobie Mirage with the foot peddles, although I intend to as my local outfitter has one in his rental fleet. I can however say without hesitation that I have found Hobie's Pursuit to be the perfect boat for me. The reason I added the above comments is because beginners who have tried my boat seem to find it tippy... I like to introduce my new found love...kayaking... to as many of my friends as will join me and have purchased a second, very wide, very stable SOT for them. I have found that if I start them out in that boat and then switch them to mine they do just fine...prior to this plan I had more than a few friends be less than enthusiastic about kayaking.and some of them "as mad as wet hens" I am a flat water recreational paddler for the most part but enjoy the chop I run into on Lake Travis at the aptly named "Windy Point". When there is a stiff breeze the chop has whitecaps and the Pursuit is a delight in these conditions. As with Matt I can not comment on how it would be in rougher conditions. The point to this ramble is that you should check out your local outfitter and see if they have one to rent...My outfitter (wise man that he is) suggested that I "test drive" several styles before making a commitment and he was even nice enough to credit my rentals toward the eventual purchase. The next thing I am anxious to try out is a small sail ( for sailing downwind only). I wonder if this would be a benefit for you with your wrist? If you would like to hear more about my research into sails on kayaks, just e-mail me. I owned a Hobie Cat sailboat prior to kayaking and had to give it up due to a crunched disc in my back...so it is only natural that I would want to combine the two sports. Best regards to all, Rob Dee Austin, Texas *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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