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Hobie Mirage Drive
 BENEFITS
PERFORMANCE
OTHER FACTS
- Human-powered propeller drives are typically smaller and therefore
less efficient. We compared the performance of the MirageDrive to a
propeller drive, and found the MirageDrive to be faster and more efficient.
- Studies on tuna and penguins show that oscillating
foils such as the MirageDrive are more efficient than propellers. Oscillating
foils can make use of vortices that are naturally shed from anything
going through the water to offset the vortices that would normally be
generated by fins. This equates to less turbulence in the water.
- The MirageDrive fins "feather" into the flow when not pedaling
and create very little drag; a propeller creates significant drag when
it is not spinning.
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- The
back-and-forth motion of the pedals provides a long, smooth stroke.
Pedals that go in circles on a boat have a much different feel than
pedals on a bike. On a boat, there are portions of a circular motion
that are more difficult, so the cycle is not smooth.
- The back-and-forth motion allows the pedals to be positioned much
lower in the cockpit.
- The
MirageDrive allows any length of stroke desired, and performs well with
both short and long strokes.
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- The pedals easily adjust to accommodate different size pedalers.
- The
oscillating motion allows the use of a simple chain and cable system
that is unaffected by sand and dirt, without the use of complicated
seals.
- The fins shed seaweed because they do not make a full rotation.
- The
MirageDrive fins fold up next to the hull for beaching and in shallow
water by simply putting one foot forward.
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