Someone asked: - >If the Mirage was suitable for surf and rough sea conditions G'Day, I accidentally deleted my real mail and kept the spam. Which means I can't remember who sent a request for information on the Mirage sea kayak. So whoever it was I hope you don't mind me using Paddlewise to answer your question. I can only talk about how its used, not its performance in the kind of detail that some one like Matt could describe. The Mirage is a very popular boat in Australia and about 50% of the serious sea kayakers in NSW use one. It has a reputation for speed and stability, handles sea conditions and surf well and is long enough to take a sail without impeding a decent paddle stroke. It has an excellent track record having been used on many serious expeditions including Bass Strait, Northern Australia and Antarctica. Its fairly lightly built but strong and no more susceptible to breakage than most kayaks. There are two models the 580 and the 530. the numbers give the length in centimetres. Both are suitable for expeditions though if you are carrying all your water then you will probably only be able to pack enough for one week (30L) in the 530 along with all your camping gear and food. I bought a Mirage 580 because my Pittarak is 530 cm long with a peaked deck and doesn't allow me to sail and paddle efficiently at the same time. This means I can't keep up with people who can do both. Also when both are loaded with gear the Mirage 580 is 15% faster than the Pittarak in my hands. However, when unloaded and because I only weigh 70 kilo's the Mirage 580 bow tends to rise above the water so that its water line is reduced. This plus the fact that it is so stable means it doesn't dance on the waves or take advantage of a following sea the way a Pittarak does. If you are a heavy build then it might. So in my hands the unloaded Pittarak (530cm) is much faster in choppy water than the Mirage 580. The Mirage 580 is faster on flat water. If you buy the Mirage for expeditions then the following options are recommended: check the range of seats that are available to find which suits you best, including the older model seat, which has a lower back and which some people find more comfortable. the Valley Hatch covers are more secure against small leaks. It's also worth getting the external seam tape and the small rudder would be preferable if you are planning to break out through shore dumping surf. The Mirage rudder is not a flip up unit but an integral part of the hull and the long version digs into the sand when leaving the beach. Also The short rudder makes it easier, when knocked sideways on the sand by the surf, to set the kayak on its side and rotate the boat back to face the surf without leaving the boat. Very few Mirage paddlers seem to realse how manoeverable the boat is without the rudder and in a sense its so user friendly that its unsuitable for really honing skills. Its too forgiving and I find it a bit boring. But boring is good on a long expedition in rough conditions!!! All the best, PeterO Who has no connection to the Mirage company and prefers the Pittarak except for expeditions and sailing. *************************************************************************** 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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