Good morning, I recently purchased a Lotus Mirage, which has become the main character in an unfolding, unlikely, and interesting story. I was looking for a lightweight freestyle canoe (still am, actually), and while visiting family in the Tampa Bay area, I saw an ad for this canoe. Bought it, began researching it because while there is plenty of information about Mike Galt and Lotus canoes, I found almost nothing about the Lotus Mirage. However, I did end up in conversations with Courtney Codrington, who co-founded Lotus Canoes with Mike Galt.
According to Courtney, with the exception of a stripper somewhere in the Tampa Bay area, this is the first and only Mirage made by Mike Galt, in 1978. A few other Mirages were made by Pat Moore, and the more slender Caper became the descendant of the Mirage. I had no idea I was buying a boat of any historic significance, but the story of this boat really has caught my attention, and I'm enjoying learning the history of solo canoeing, Mike Galt's influence, and the history of this particular boat.
The seat design is unique, folding, with a concave for comfortable support when kneeling, and when flipped back out of the way, there are concaves that support a high kneel position. The canoe is 28 1/2" wide, 15' 9" long at the top of the hull, although the stern design adds six more inches. Haven't weighed it, but I'd guess low to mid 40s, being fiberglass.
I've paddled the canoe once, and as one would expect from this design, it tracks very straight. I'm told by both Courtney and a local paddler who owns a Caper that it was designed to be much more maneuverable when heeled, which I intend to find out first hand when the water warms up a bit. Mike's preference for flared hulls is well documented, but this boat does have a bit of tumblehome.
I'm thoroughly enjoying learning more about the early days of freestyle canoeing, and the role played by Mike Galt, Courtney Codrington, and others who were there at the beginning. I've read and heard some great stories about the early Hillsborough River days through posts and through Courtney. I'm going to post this at a few canoeing sites, if anyone has information about other Mirages, or has paddled one or nose anyone who has, please feel free to share information.
According to Courtney, with the exception of a stripper somewhere in the Tampa Bay area, this is the first and only Mirage made by Mike Galt, in 1978. A few other Mirages were made by Pat Moore, and the more slender Caper became the descendant of the Mirage. I had no idea I was buying a boat of any historic significance, but the story of this boat really has caught my attention, and I'm enjoying learning the history of solo canoeing, Mike Galt's influence, and the history of this particular boat.
The seat design is unique, folding, with a concave for comfortable support when kneeling, and when flipped back out of the way, there are concaves that support a high kneel position. The canoe is 28 1/2" wide, 15' 9" long at the top of the hull, although the stern design adds six more inches. Haven't weighed it, but I'd guess low to mid 40s, being fiberglass.
I've paddled the canoe once, and as one would expect from this design, it tracks very straight. I'm told by both Courtney and a local paddler who owns a Caper that it was designed to be much more maneuverable when heeled, which I intend to find out first hand when the water warms up a bit. Mike's preference for flared hulls is well documented, but this boat does have a bit of tumblehome.
I'm thoroughly enjoying learning more about the early days of freestyle canoeing, and the role played by Mike Galt, Courtney Codrington, and others who were there at the beginning. I've read and heard some great stories about the early Hillsborough River days through posts and through Courtney. I'm going to post this at a few canoeing sites, if anyone has information about other Mirages, or has paddled one or nose anyone who has, please feel free to share information.
