Hobie Introduces Two-Person Recreational Vessel
Oceanside, California – Hobie Cat has introduced the Mirage Tandem Island, a two-person combination sailboat, kayak, trimaran and fishing boat for use by any level of sailor.
The Mirage Tandem Island complements the one-person Hobie Mirage Adventure Island that introduced during the summer of 2006. Development of the two-person model was a direct result of customer demand, said Ruth Triglia, vice president of sales at Hobie Cat.
“Many of our customers fell in love with the one-person Adventure Island, but wanted to be able to bring along a friend to enjoy the ride,” Triglia said. “I can’t remember another new Hobie product introduction that has been more eagerly anticipated than the new Tandem Island.”
The core component of both Island recreational models is a kayak featuring the proven and patented MirageDrive™ pedal system. Add a sail and both convert to sailboats that are safe at virtually any speed. Outriggers can be connected to each side of the hull to form a trimaran and with the sails and outriggers removed, they become fishing vessels with built-in rod holders.
The pedal system’s self-centering and padded pedal mechanisms are connected to turbo fins and work much like penguin wings. Steering is controlled with fingertip-controlled rudder systems.
Oversized Twist and Stow rudders can be lifted and turned to lay flat on deck when not in use, whether in the water, on top of the car or on a trailer, or in storage. The rudder steering lines are made from Spectra, the world’s strongest fiber, which is up to 15 times stronger than quality steel of the same size. Specially designed, optional speedometers fit into the MirageDrives to indicate exact speed, eliminating speculation.
The America-Made Tandem Island and Adventure Island are constructed of recyclable and seamless, rotomolded Super-Linear ll polyethylene. Both boats have a closed-deck design with self-draining scuppers that keep cockpit seats dry.
Both models are available in two color packages – Golden Papaya and Red Hibiscus, with color-coordinated sails and molded-in hull graphics.
