Mirage Question

[pengilly]

Ive heard on this site , people refferring to Mirage tunnels as "another blow over waiting to happen" Is there any truth to this? Or was somebody just kidding around? Im Looking at a jaguar but really want a STV euro when the time is right.

Pen

[jphii]

I've had mine up but never really worried about it going over. You could have walked under the front end at one race, got a little squirrely, but it came down nice. Of course, you can blow over just about any tunnel if you get stupid and don't pay attention.

[Corona Mike]

Like Joe said, if you try, you can blow any tunnel over but, If you look at some of the pictures taken of Parker Raby in ol' blurrred vision, he didn't go over and thats operating a boat OVER EXTREME!! Don't Try This At Home!!:eek: :eek:

[rhickox]

Mirage's tend to run a little more nose high than an STV, but like everyone else has mentioned you gotta use your head:D

[JustMercMe]

The 4 seaters always ride a lil higher nose wise than normal. Most blowovers you hear about are due to driver error also. Drive it like its meant to be driven and know your limits, You won't have a problem.

Itch

[RBT]

like they said above.
But Mirages are certainly more prone to blow over than STV. Unless you are really rolling, an STV will slow down or blow out long before you hit dangerzone.

RT

[Sam Baker]

That's a tough one. I don't think there's any empirical data that would actually prove one is more likely to blow over than the other. Mirages have a more forward center of gravity with the driver sitting closer to the front so that would make the boat LESS likely to blow over....it's 6 one way, half dozen the other.

It's similar to asking, which car are you more likely to crash - a Ferrari or a Lamborghini?

In my life, I've seen more STVs blow over than Mirages, but there are more STVs on the water. I don't logically think either BOAT is more likely than the other to blow over. Boats don't blow over - people do. :D

[MODVP22]

You can blow anything over if you try had enough.

None of these small tunnels are really more prone to blowing over...Thanks for that clear and unbias explanation Sam

[Sid Vicious]

I agree with all the above. I've had my Mirage for almost 3 years and the one thing I noticed about Mirage vs STV is that the Mirage does ride higher in the front than the STV. The feeling I get from the Mirage is one of a motorcross bike, you are riding high in the water which make maneuving one way or the other very easy and quickly because of the air that is packing under the boat. Again its the driver not the boat that creates a blow over. I love my Mirage and its a blast to drive. Just be carefully and follow commonsense.
Sid

[Raceman]

I've owned one Mirage and 3 STV's. I think the Mirages are MUCH MORE likely to blow over, especially with big power. I can't imagine somebody running the speeds Dixon or Carver have run in their STV's and staying right side up in a Mirage. It's true that Hogan blew his STV over, but he was approaching 130 MPH speeds and trimming it up to the ragged edge trying to find a couple more MPH. I've seen a number of Mirages that've been over in the last 10 years or so, but can't remember seeing another STV besides Hogan's. If you examine the dynamics of the bottoms of both brands, there are significant differences in the shape of the tunnels between the 2. (did I mention that I'm really partial to the STV, not only in terms of the product, but the owners of the 2 companies;) )

[RBT]

I didn't really feel like getting into it, but Raceman nailed it. I can think of 3 STV blowovers, One being Hank ( who was asking for it....... ). But I cannot count the number of Mirages that have blown over. By my rough figures Mirage has done more to remove drivers from this sport and there families than any of the next five mfgs combined.
My opinion cannot be changed on that, I have been around a long time with some very fast boats I consider myself slightly above the norm in knowledge, and feel this is a well educated opinion.
Besides, Euros are as fast or faster than River Racers.

RT

...... I guess, I should get Greg to reinstate my " Firestarter " screen name after that one!.

[MODVP22]

I consider myself slightly above the norm in knowledge, and feel this is a well educated opinion.


no way Rob, I don't buy that one bit ;)

[Tom Foley]

My mirage river Racer is a very well mannered boat when it comes to 80 - 100 mph speeds . I find that it does not like any of the props I have for my Euro (bow lift props )because the hull has more natural lift ( shorter and more rockered ) . At a neutral or even slightly tucked trim angle the boat still flys a little bow high with my 14 3/8 x 28 cleaver . Although a little bow high compared to my STV , it still feels stable into the 90's but after that the wrong trim angle will scrub speed with even a minor adjustment .It seems the boat likes a little higher bow attitude than the STV . So to recap my overall feeling of the handling , The STV has deeper tunnels and a flatter ride surface for a longer potentialy wetted or supportive surface ; The Mirage has shallower tunnels , more rocker and is shorter and more trim sensitive than my Euro , but it is more fun to drive and handles snotty conditions very well . The Mirage also does not sneeze spray out the front at slower speeds . Be careful and have fun . I have had a very safe experience in my Mirage and intend to keep it that way !By the way, it is for sale here !

[john w]

buy an ALLISON and don't worry about blowover.besides they are much easier to drive. ha ha

[MODVP22]

The Mirage also does not sneeze spray out the front at slower speeds . Be careful and have fun .

Funny, two years ago when I said that everyone told me I was full of it and that STV's didn't do such a thing :D

[Dutch]

when i had a mirage a few years ago before i went to a euro
i was told mine wasnt as prone to blow over as the newer
ones because the older mirages didnt compact as much air.
dont know how true it is, just what i was told.