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Hobie Kayaks: Every MirageDrive Model Compared

Pro Angler, Outback, Compass, Lynx, Passport and the iTrek inflatables. How the Hobie lineup fits together, from someone who owned, rigged and sailed them.

My history with Hobie

A Hobie Pro Angler 14 was one of the most important boats I have owned. Mine was a 2012, and it became my test bench: I added a second seat, a camera tower, a DIY livewell, anchor reels, a homemade sail, and even a homemade trolling motor that drops into the Mirage drive well for under $165 at the time. It was stable enough for two of us to stand and fish at the same time, and for me to stand on the back and bowfish with the sail up.

I eventually sold it to save for a Hobie Tandem Island, an 18 ft 6 in sailing kayak. I had no sailing experience and picked it up fast. I have taken it offshore for a catch and cook and sailed it off Sanibel during the 2017 eclipse.

Since then I have tested the Passport 10.5 on the water at my local dealer, the Pro Angler 360 drive when it came out, a whole lineup day with the PA360, iTrek 9 and 11, Passport 12, Compass and Outback, the Lynx side by side with the BOTE Rackham, and the iTrek Angler 10 at ICAST 2025.

Full transparency: years ago I was told I could probably get on the Hobie Fishing Team, but I would only have been able to promote Hobie products. I said no, because I want to show gear for every budget. Hobie does not sponsor this page. The boats I have owned or tested on the water are marked in the video list. Everything else comes from Hobie’s specs in my reviews, and weights are fitted hull unless noted.

Some background: Hobart “Hobie” Alter founded the company in 1961, and Hobie introduced the MirageDrive pedal system on its kayaks in 1997. That fin drive is still what sets Hobie apart.

The MirageDrive versions, explained

  • MirageDrive GT: the forward-only fin drive, used on the Passport and most iTreks. Kick-Up fins fold up if you hit bottom.
  • MirageDrive 180: pull one of two shift cables and the fins flip 180 degrees, so you go from forward to reverse almost instantly. Great for backing a fish out of cover or holding in current. Push one pedal forward to tuck the fins for shallow water.
  • MirageDrive 360 / 360XR: a second hand control spins the whole drive 360 degrees, so you can pedal in reverse, sideways or at an angle with no pull cords. It needs the newer 360 hull, so it does not fit older Hobies.

Which Hobie is right for you?

  • Serious fishing, standing and lots of gear: Pro Angler 12 or 14. Plan on a cart, they are heavy.
  • Want 360 control for current or tight cover: a Pro Angler 360XR.
  • Lighter all-rounder: Outback or Compass. The Compass was Hobie’s budget pedal boat when it launched.
  • Lightest rigid Hobie pedal kayak: the Lynx at 47 lb.
  • Lowest price into a Hobie: the Passport. It is thermoformed, so it is lighter, and it works with Hobie carts, sails and the Bimini.
  • No room to store or haul a kayak: an iTrek.
  • Two people: Compass Duo, Oasis, or the iTrek 14 Duo.

Pro Angler: the big fishing platforms

The Pro Angler is Hobie's flagship fishing kayak. I owned a 2012 Pro Angler 14 and rigged it every way you can imagine. The 360 versions add the MirageDrive 360, which rotates all the way around.

Model Length Width Weight Capacity Drive Links
Pro Angler 12 12 ft 36 in 105 lb hull 500 lb MirageDrive 180 Review · Product page
Pro Angler 14 13 ft 8 in 38 in 120.5 lb hull 600 lb MirageDrive 180 Review · Product page
Pro Angler 12 360XR 12 ft 36 in 109.5 lb hull 500 lb MirageDrive 360XR Review · Product page
Pro Angler 14 360XR 13 ft 8 in 38 in 124.5 lb hull 600 lb MirageDrive 360XR Review · Product page

From owning one: the Pro Angler 14 was stable enough for two of us to stand and fish from it at once on the Missouri River. It is also heavy, so plan on a cart or a trailer. I hauled mine in the truck bed and later built my own trailer. If you want ideas for rigging one, watch my full PA14 rigging tour.

Outback, Compass, Lynx and Passport

The middle of the lineup. Lighter and cheaper than a Pro Angler, and still a MirageDrive under your feet.

Model Length Width Weight Capacity Drive Links
Outback 12 ft 9 in 34 in 85 lb hull 425 lb MirageDrive 180 Review · Product page
Compass 12 ft 34 in 68 lb hull 400 lb MirageDrive 180 Review · Product page
Lynx 11 ft 36 in 47 lb hull 350 lb MirageDrive 180 Review · Product page
Passport 10.5 R 10 ft 6 in 34 in 65 lb hull 325 lb MirageDrive GT Review · Product page
Passport 12.0 R 12 ft 34 in 73 lb hull 400 lb MirageDrive GT Review · Product page

Tandem pedal kayaks

Two seats, two drives. Good for fishing with a partner or paddling with family.

Model Length Width Weight Capacity Drive Links
Compass Duo 13 ft 6 in 35 in 92 lb hull 475 lb 1 x 180 + 1 x GT Review · Product page
Oasis 14 ft 6 in 33 in 96 lb hull 550 lb 2 x MirageDrive 180 Review · Product page

iTrek inflatable pedal kayaks

The iTrek line packs into a bag but still runs a MirageDrive. These are the boats for small cars, condos and travel.

Model Length Width Weight Capacity Drive Links
iTrek 9 Ultralight 9 ft 5 in 40 in 20 lb hull 350 lb MirageDrive GT Review · Product page
iTrek Angler 10 10 ft 44 in 33 lb hull 400 lb MirageDrive 180 Review · Product page
iTrek 11 10 ft 8 in 40 in 28 lb hull 400 lb MirageDrive GT Review · Product page
iTrek Angler 12 12 ft 44 in 37 lb hull 500 lb MirageDrive 180 Review · Product page
iTrek 14 Duo 13 ft 8 in 44 in 45 lb hull 600 lb 2 x MirageDrive GT Review · Product page
iTrek Fiesta 15 ft 80 in 78 lb hull 1,000 lb 2 x MirageDrive GT Review · Product page

On the water: the iTrek Angler 10 scoots and turns so tight it feels like a go-kart. It runs low pressure (3, 10 and 3 PSI), so there is less pumping than most inflatables, and it has a built-in Power-Pole bolt pattern so you can add a motor without drilling. Want the cheaper alternative? I put a Hobie iTrek head to head with an $800 inflatable pedal kayak.

Other Hobie kayaks on KayakDIY

Hobie Quest 12.5 KayakHobie Quest 12.5 Kayak

Comparing brands? See my best pedal kayaks guide, or the Old Town brand guide for the PDL prop drive side of the fence.

My Hobie videos

mqdefaultMy Pro Angler 14: full rigging tour2015, my own boatmqdefaultPro Angler 14 stability: two of us standing2013, my own boatmqdefaultBowfishing while sailing the Pro Angler 142014, my own boatmqdefaultMy homemade trolling motor for the Mirage drive well2015 DIY buildmqdefaultTandem Island: sail rigging and how it works2018, my own boatmqdefaultTandem Island offshore catch and cook2018, my own boatmqdefaultPro Angler 360 drive: on-water test2019, on the watermqdefaultPassport 10.5: on-water review2019, on the watermqdefaultTesting the lineup: PA360, iTrek and Passport 122021, on the watermqdefaultHobie Lynx vs BOTE Rackham Apex2022, side by sidemqdefaultiTrek Angler 10 on the water at ICAST2025, on the watermqdefaultFish finder install on a Hobie: Lowrance Hook22018 how-tomqdefault2019 Outback and the MirageDrive 1802018 first lookmqdefaultHobie Compass first look2017 first lookmqdefaultHobie Eclipse pedal board: water test2018, on the water

That is 15 of my 27 Hobie videos. Browse all my videos.

Hobie parts, upgrades and gear

H-Rail mounts, crates, livewells, carts, deck pads, drive parts and add-ons that fit Hobie kayaks, including a few third-party upgrades made for Hobies.

Hobie Pro Angler 12 Eva Deck Pad KitHobie Pro Angler 12 Eva Deck Pad KitHobie Outback Deck Pad KitHobie Outback Deck Pad KitHobie Kayak Deep Gear BucketHobie Kayak Deep Gear BucketHobie Rod Holder ExtensionHobie Rod Holder ExtensionHobie H-Rail Gear HeadHobie H-Rail Gear HeadHobie H-Rail G-HoldHobie H-Rail G-HoldHobie RAM 1.5in Track BallHobie RAM 1.5in Track BallYakGadget QuickStop™ Hobie PA12 or PA14 (With Pole)YakGadget QuickStop™ Hobie PA12 or PA14 (With Pole)Hobie H-Crate JrHobie H-Crate JrHobie Kayak Rigging Kit HardwareHobie Kayak Rigging Kit HardwareHobie Pro Angler 14 Complete Eva Deck Pad KitHobie Pro Angler 14 Complete Eva Deck Pad KitHobie Livewell XLHobie Livewell XLHobie MirageDrive Stow BagHobie MirageDrive Stow BagHobie Small Fish Bag/ CoolerHobie Small Fish Bag/ CoolerHobie Outback Hatch LinerHobie Outback Hatch LinerHobie Kayak Gear BucketHobie Kayak Gear BucketHobie Inflatable PFD Rearm KitHobie Inflatable PFD Rearm KitHobie Vertical Rectangular Hatch KitHobie Vertical Rectangular Hatch KitHobie Mirage Kayak Universal Rudder Line KitHobie Mirage Kayak Universal Rudder Line KitHobie Adjustable Rod Holder ExtensionHobie Adjustable Rod Holder ExtensionOne Objective Hobie Bucket OrganizerOne Objective Hobie Bucket OrganizerOne Objective Hobie Lynx Accessory PlateOne Objective Hobie Lynx Accessory PlateHobie H Rail Starport HDHobie H Rail Starport HDHobie Mirage Drive V2 Chain AssemblyHobie Mirage Drive V2 Chain AssemblyHobie Vantage Seat Accessory BagHobie Vantage Seat Accessory BagHobie Outback H-BarHobie Outback H-BarHobie H-Rail Scotty Deck-Side MountHobie H-Rail Scotty Deck-Side MountBoonedox Hobie® FirewallBoonedox Hobie® FirewallHobie Pro Angler Power Pole Mounting Bracket KitHobie Pro Angler Power Pole Mounting Bracket KitHobie Pro Angler H-BarHobie Pro Angler H-BarHobie Livewell V2Hobie Livewell V2Boonedox Angled Riser Kit for the Slotted Console- Hobie Pro AnglerBoonedox Angled Riser Kit for the Slotted Console- Hobie Pro AnglerYakGadget Hobie QuickTrack™YakGadget Hobie QuickTrack™Hobie Large Fish Bag/CoolerHobie Large Fish Bag/CoolerHobie Multi Lube (1 oz)Hobie Multi Lube (1 oz)Hobie H-CrateHobie H-CrateHobie H-Rail Mini Bin with Built-in RetractorHobie H-Rail Mini Bin with Built-in RetractorHobie H-Rail MiniPortHobie H-Rail MiniPortHobie Bimini SunshadeHobie Bimini SunshadeHobie Fishfinder Power KitHobie Fishfinder Power KitHobie H Rail Horizontal Rod RackHobie H Rail Horizontal Rod RackHobie Universal Anchor Trolley KitHobie Universal Anchor Trolley KitHobie 4oz Multi LubeHobie 4oz Multi LubeHobie Inflatable PFDHobie Inflatable PFDHobie Medium Fish Bag CoolerHobie Medium Fish Bag CoolerHobie H-Rail Cup HolderHobie H-Rail Cup HolderHobie H-Rail Tackle BinHobie H-Rail Tackle BinHobie Thru Hull Wiring KitHobie Thru Hull Wiring KitBoonedox Third Leg for Hobie® Pro AnglerBoonedox Third Leg for Hobie® Pro AnglerHobie Trax “2” Plug-In Kayak CartHobie Trax “2” Plug-In Kayak CartHobie Fold & Stow Plug-In CartHobie Fold & Stow Plug-In CartHobie Trax “2-30” Plug-In Kayak CartHobie Trax “2-30” Plug-In Kayak CartHobie Plug-In CartHobie Plug-In CartBoonedox Groovy Landing Gear Hobie© PA KitBoonedox Groovy Landing Gear Hobie© PA KitBixpy Hobie® Twist & Stow Rudder AdapterBixpy Hobie® Twist & Stow Rudder AdapterBixpy Hobie® Pro Angler Power Pole Mounting Bracket KitBixpy Hobie® Pro Angler Power Pole Mounting Bracket Kit

Want a motor on your Hobie? I show two no-drill ways to mount a Bixpy, and compare GPS options in my GPS trolling motor guide.

Hobie FAQ

What is the difference between MirageDrive GT, 180 and 360?

GT is forward only. The 180 flips the fins to reverse with a pull of a cable. The 360 and 360XR rotate the whole drive with a hand control, so you can pedal forward, backward or sideways. The 360 drive only fits the newer 360 hulls.

What is the lightest Hobie pedal kayak?

Of the boats on this page, the iTrek 9 Ultralight inflatable at about 20 lb for the fitted hull. The lightest rigid one is the Lynx at 47 lb.

Which Hobie is best for fishing standing up?

The Pro Angler 12 or 14. I owned a Pro Angler 14, and two of us could stand and fish from it at the same time.

Can you put a motor on a Hobie kayak?

Yes. You can drop a motor into the Mirage drive well, mount one on the Power-Pole plate, or buy Hobie's own options. I built my own drive-well motor and also show two no-drill Bixpy mounts.

Who makes Hobie kayaks?

Hobie was founded by Hobart "Hobie" Alter in 1961, and it introduced the MirageDrive on its kayaks in 1997.

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