lightning vs. mirage

HELP!!! Why would a canoe club prefer purchasing a Bradley Lightning over a Mirage? I need some suggestions/reasons/advice on why paddlers would prefer a Bradley Lightning. Any and every comment will be well received. Thanks.

Submitted by tiger paddler on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 10:38am



uh oh. This guy is asking for it. Especially because he said any and EVERY comment will be well received.

Tiger paddler, why does one like a toyota over a honda? Or chocolate over vanilla? Or a zeyphr over a pueo?


#1 Tue, 12/09/2008 - 11:07am


Toyota. Chocolate. Pueo.
Six man if you can demo one of each do that.


#2 Tue, 12/09/2008 - 11:16am


Seriously, I need the info because our club is getting new canoe(s). I need to present a valid argument to the board and the club members. I do know a mirage is a little cheaper but I've heard most paddlers now prefer a lightning. Why?


#3 Tue, 12/09/2008 - 11:46am


http://www.ocpaddler.com/node/4196


#4 Tue, 12/09/2008 - 11:56am


Tiger, most people like the Bradley because the winner and majority of the top 10 teams in both the mens and womens molokai were in a bradley.

People will tell you each boat does this and that better than each other but the fact is, if people weren't winning in a Bradley, people wouldn't even be considering them.

Tiger, what it comes down to is personal preference. Its about what boat your club is the most comfortable with. I don't think you can go wrong with either. I'd say if you already have a mirage, go with the bradley. Its kinda like having a quiver of surfboards, then you can pick a boat depending on conditions/paddlers/steersman/doodoo. But then that's just my 2 cents. And if you bought a $10,000 boat because some dude on a forum whom you don't even know told you to, then that's just crazy. Crazy talk.

Poopoo

poopoo


#5 Tue, 12/09/2008 - 12:46pm


What kind conditions you paddle in? Your club in Hawaii, mainland US, or elsewhere?

Hawaii waters, gotta go with the Bradley. That reason was pointed out in earlier posts. Word is, both boats catch bumps real nice, but the Bradley is more loose and manuverable. They say the Mirage 'sticks' a bit more, the nose buries more, and does not release as fast so that you can go left or right sooner.

If flat water and slop water where bumps come every which way with no good pattern to it, the Mirage does well...or some steersmen say it does.

If getting the Mirage, make sure you get the newer version. I believe the Beach Boy women placed 3rd in the Womens race and Jr. and the Lanikai second crew got 10 in the Mens race. I believe those were the best placing for the Mirage this past channel races. The rest was Bradley's. You decide.

JawsOut.


#6 Tue, 12/09/2008 - 12:51pm


the new mirage is only helpful if your in hawaii's conditions, but the old one still handles just as well in big and flat conditions. I'm not convinced that just because the top teams are using a lightning that it is a faster boat.


#7 Tue, 12/09/2008 - 4:52pm


Things like this always go in cycles, someone wins a big race with a certain canoe, bike, whatever, and everyone figures its faster and you have to have it. For several years the field will be stacked with that canoe/whatever giving it an even greater chance of doing well in races. Eventually somebody wins on something else and it swings 180. What was hot, now sucks.


#8 Tue, 12/09/2008 - 5:32pm


Looks like you want to buy more than one canoe... so buy both.


#9 Tue, 12/09/2008 - 7:10pm


Ultimately you'll want input from the steerspersons who have used both boats in various conditions. Yeah, steersperson, if you want objectivity.


#10 Tue, 12/09/2008 - 7:46pm


you're rihgt


#11 Tue, 12/09/2008 - 9:30pm


poo, seems like you posted in the wrong thread...


#12 Tue, 12/09/2008 - 9:26pm


I have raced both boats in Cali and in Hawaii, there both fast. How experienced is your club. Not to bash but unless you have an experienced team racing the boats you won't truly feel the difference. Butt I like what Poops said, if you already have one get the other. If you can try the boats out that is your best bet.

Where is your club?


#13 Tue, 12/09/2008 - 10:20pm


Awsome Summary Ratchet Jaws.
Cheers for that


#14 Tue, 12/09/2008 - 10:54pm


the bradley lightning is a super fast canoe...

but the mirage is great too once you get use to it, you'll love it...

I have both of them and I love um...

sorry if I confused you...


#15 Wed, 12/10/2008 - 10:24am


Like I said before... buy both.


#16 Wed, 12/10/2008 - 12:35pm


Hiro C, for the record, I said buy both first.


#17 Wed, 12/10/2008 - 12:53pm


Well Poopy Hiro for the record i said try it first.


#18 Wed, 12/10/2008 - 1:09pm


I failed to contribute in any meaningful way.


#19 Wed, 12/10/2008 - 1:23pm


No, no toppler you said to TRY both. I said to BUY both. I said it first, Hiro C said it second.

So there

Poopie


#20 Wed, 12/10/2008 - 1:42pm


I think tiger paddler is going to switch to dragon boats.


#21 Wed, 12/10/2008 - 1:43pm


Jibofo, tiger can't get mad. He said any and all comments will be well received.


#22 Wed, 12/10/2008 - 2:05pm


Poo, I don't mind if I wasn't first... Anyway, if you can afford it, buy both ! And if you're left with some more unspent $, then add a tahitian V6 to your wishlist....


#23 Wed, 12/10/2008 - 2:30pm


Well there is an idea Hiro why not forget both lightning and mirage and just buy a Tahitian V6 its faster than both boats!


#24 Wed, 12/10/2008 - 5:06pm


yes but that doesn't come with the same Tahitian engine


#25 Wed, 12/10/2008 - 6:17pm


Bradley Lightning - high performance in all around conditions, takes a little more practice to get used to unless you are already used to going fast...need to spend time and use more than once to go as fast as possible - picks up all bumps small and big...rides looser than M boat..like short board...GOOD FUN!

Mirage - not so loose, does not like small bumps but can pick up ground swell if you have enough momentum...good for novice steersman or steersman that no can control loosie goosie style...long board style

It is up to the individual crews to suit their style of paddling or going fast...

My choice...LIGHTNING...loosie goosie... go spooky fast...catch everyting!!!


#26 Sat, 12/27/2008 - 6:33pm


Gweilojoe

We just received two brand new Lightnings. Very nice clean build. They are a one piece hull. Not sure but still think the Mirage's ship in 3 piece sections. This meant we had to ship in 45 ft container so freight charge was a little higher.

I can tell you that they turn very easily but they are also much more skitish in a straight line. The steersmen are having to adjust but everybody loves them so far. Just had some paddlers over from another club which uses only Mirages and they thought the Bradleys were fantastic.

As for cost; the clinching factor for us buying the Bradley's over the Mirages was cost. The Bradleys are made in Vancouver. We purchased just before the economic melt down when the Canadian dollar was almost at par and at that time the Bradleys were cheaper. Now the Canadian dollar is down around $0.84 US so they would be even cheaper yet.


#27 Sun, 12/28/2008 - 3:01am


Always important to try before you buy. ( it worked for beer for so many generations)

Using the lightning in Sacramento for sprints I got to sit in in about 8 different boats in 8 days sometimes 4-5 a day, and the all were unique. So what ever you choose take a few out and make sure some of your club is along to sit in all the seats...

We have a Mirage and it is not the weak link....


#28 Sun, 12/28/2008 - 6:56am


This is the 1 man Tiger Paddler
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2707805725_d47882c79e.jpg?v=0

not sure if i would like this one...

http://mark-harrington.photos.us.com
http://alembic-lynx.deviantart.com

Location Western Maine
Aged and Cured


#29 Sun, 12/28/2008 - 7:03am


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