Hobie Inflatable Kayaks Instruction Manual Hobie Mirage i12s
Welcome to the Hobie Way of Life Thank you for choosing a Hobie Mirage Inflatable Kayak. As a member of the Hobie way of life, you are now on the road to pure adventure in pedaling and paddling. This owner’s manual is designed to help you get maximum enjoyment from your new Hobie kayak. But more important, it is designed to help you use it safely. The content of this manual covers all inflatable Mirage kayaks.
About the Design of your Kayak Patented Inflatable Hull Design The Hobie Mirage Inflatable line of kayaks uses a patent pending drop stitch construction to give performance that is comparable to a hard shell kayak. The black material along the bottom is stretched tightly to give you a fair hull shape for maximum performance. It is important to know that the bottom surface creates a bilge area inside the kayak that can collect water if punctured, but the kayak will not sink.
Inflating Your Hobie Mirage Kayak Kayak Inflation Steps 1. Make sure that all of the valves are in the closed position (valve pin up) so they hold the air inside the tubes. 2. Open up the forward hatch on the firewall. 3. Press the pump nozzle into the valve receptacle. Follow the instructions below for valve operation and correct inflation and deflation procedures. Valve Operation Your kayak is equipped with three different chambers that need to be inflated.
Kayak Deflation Steps 1. Open up the forward hatch on the firewall. 2. Clear any water or debris out of the valve areas. 3. Slowly press down on the valve stem to start letting air out of the kayak. There will be an initial burst of air, but that will slow down very quickly. Once the air flow has slowed down, press the valve stem all the way down and turn it clockwise to lock it into the "open" position. 4. Follow this same procedure with all of the chambers.
Kayak Features Bilge Draining As mentioned earlier, it is important to know that there is a bilge area between the bottom surface the tubes. If water collects in this area the kayak will feel heavy and you will hear water sloshing around; it will need to be drained. On the right corner of the firewall is a drain plug. Simply lift up the kayak and rotate it toward the drain hole to drain the kayak.
Rudder Operation Steering Operation and Adjustment On the left side of the kayak is a steering handle which turns the rudder left and right. When in use, place your hand on the disk and rotate the tab left and right to turn the rudder. The left steering control line is tied off at the screw here. Up/Down Rudder Control Located just to the right of the seat are two T-handles which control the up and down motion of the rudder.
Hobie Mirage Drive Drive Assembly The Hobie Mirage Drives for the inflatable kayaks have the pedal cranks removed from the drums and can be done in the future for more compact packing. The following steps will guide you in how to install the pedal cranks. Drive Installation/Removal 1. Insert the Hobie Mirage Drive into the opening of the hull in front of the seat location so it is facing forward. The front of the Mirage Drive can be determined by the location of the fin masts.
Pedal Adjustment Cable Adjustments The pedals of the Hobie Mirage Drive are adjustable to accommodate different leg lengths of kayakers. To adjust the pedals: Determining if adjustment is needed... Occasionally the cables may need to be re-tightened. The cables should be kept taut; however, the front chain should be a little tighter than the rear chain. Push with your thumbs at the points marked "A" with moderate pressure (see the image to the right).
Kayak Folding Steps The kayak storage bag is a travel design to allow you to get your kayak into the bag as easily as possible with minimal folds. Follow the diagrams below for the best folding procedures of the tandem and single inflatable kayaks. To make it easier to get the kayak into the roller bag, place the open bag underneath the kayak prior to folding. The dotted line in the top pictures shows where approximately the roller wheels on the bag should be underneath the kayak.
Easy-Load Kayak Storage Travel Bag 1 Place the folded 3 Flip the long flap over kayak over the bag so the bottom rub rail runs with the length of the bag. Pull the corners of the bag up around the side of the kayak. and clip and cinch the straps that run over the flap. 4 You kayak is ready to 2 HOBIEKAYAKS.COM roll away. Shown to the left is the closed bag with an optional accessory storage bag clipped to the front using the extra strap on the bag.
Basic Kayak Information Recommended Equipment for Specific Types of Pedaling and Paddling Basic Boating: Life Jacket, Paddle, Paddle Leash, Backrest, Safety Whistle, Filled Water Bottle, Appropriate Safety Equipment. Longer Distance Touring: Dry Bags, Chart, Compass, GPS, Addition Water. Hobie Mirage i12s Additional Equipment for Diving: Dive Flag, Anchor. Basic Kayak Features Fishing: Fishing Rod Holder, Gear Bags, Anchor. The front of the boat is the “bow” and the rear is the “stern”.
Safety Checklist · Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for use of this product. · If additional outfitting is added to this craft, use manufacturerapproved materials only; do not impair entry or exit access. · Read owner’s information package prior to using this product. · The user of this product acknowledges both an understanding and assumption of the risk involved in paddle/pedal sports.
How to Perform a Self Rescue If your kayak turns over with the kayak sail up, it can be very difficult to turn the kayak over by rolling just the kayak. Make sure that the mainsheet is loose so that the sail is free to move around. If you fall out of your boat, don’t panic. Stay with the boat. You should be wearing a life jacket which will keep you afloat. There are many ways to get back up on the boat. Pedaling If the boat is upside-down, it will need to be turned over.
paddling tight and the left hand loose. To learn the process, hold the paddle tight in your right hand and loose in your left. Using the right hand, rotate the paddle blade back and forth; it should spin in your left hand. Now take a stroke on your right, then cock your right wrist back (left hand staying loose and somewhat open) and take a stroke on your left. If using a left-hand control paddle, reverse the process. The left hand stays tight and the right hand loose.
Mirage Scupper Plug · Before storing, hose off the kayak and let it dry completely to prevent mildew buildup. · Do not use harsh chemicals for cleaning. · Most dirt can be removed with a mild soap and fresh water. Soft Scrub ® works exceedingly well. · You may store the kayak inflated or deflated. If you deflate the kayak, we recommend that you store it in the protective roller bag that comes with the kayak.
Transporting Your Hobie Kayak rear. Over-tightening the straps may cause dents in the roof of the car. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual for the car and roof rack system to ensure compliance with all recommendations, precautions and specifications. The most compact and common way to transport your kayak is to deflate it and place it inside the storage travel bag provided with the kayak. Follow the folding instructions on pages 9 and 10.
Kayak Leak Detection and Repair Hobie kayaks are made from very durable PVC but may, on occasion, require minor repairs. Repairs are easily done with your included patch kit. Read the following paragraphs for leak detection and repair tips. Punctures less than 1/8"in size can be repaired simply without a patch. Deflate your boat, then clean and dry the area to be repaired. Apply a small drop of glue to cover the puncture, and let dry 12 hours.
Hobie provides a limited two year hull warranty. Warranty Information Your warranty registration card is packaged with this owner’s manual and should be completed and returned to Hobie Cat within 30 days of the date of purchase. If you have problems with your boat, contact your dealer first. If you need further assistance, contact Hobie Cat. To help process any warranty problems, please complete your warranty card and give it to your dealer or mail it directly to Hobie Cat.
Hobie Cat Company Oceanside, California, USA 1-800-HOBIE-49 hobiecat.com Mirage Inflatable Kayaks Hobie Cat Australasia Huskisson, New South Wales Australia 1-800-4-HOBIE hobiecat.com.au Hobie Kayak Europe Stellendam, The Netherlands +31(0)187 499 440 hobie-kayak.
