Traverse Pedal Drive: reverse function
Yes — instant reverse is built in. Flip the lever, pedal the same direction, the prop spins the other way.
Yes — instant reverse is built in.
How it works
Flip the reverse lever on the drive head, keep pedaling the same direction you were pedaling for forward, and the prop spins the other way. The drive's gearing handles the direction change internally — you don't have to change pedal stroke, kick fins to a different angle, or do anything different with your legs.
That's the "instant" part. From forward to reverse is one lever flip and a continuous pedal cycle.
When you actually use it
- Hooked up next to structure — you've drifted past a stump or a brush pile while the fish is taking line. Flip to reverse, back off the structure, keep fighting.
- Approach-and-back-off positioning — flip back and forth on a single drift to hold a casting lane.
- Tight quarters — docks, ramps, narrow channels. Pivoting on the rudder while pedaling forward and then back works the boat into a small footprint.
- Wind / current correction — quick reverse pulse to scrub speed when you're drifting too fast through a strike zone.
Traverse vs. fin drive on reverse
The Hobie MD 180 (mounted in our Fin Drive Adapter) also has built-in reverse — same general idea, lever-driven, fins switch angle. The mechanism is different (fin angle change vs. gear change) but the on-the-water experience is similar.
Drives without reverse — older Mirage drives (pre-180), some generations of Pelican / Vibe / Lightning fin drives, the Bixpy fin-socket motor — won't gain reverse just by mounting in a Cajo adapter. The adapter is passive. See the Fin Drive Adapter compatibility guide for the full breakdown.
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