MIRAGE DRIVES BREAKING
 

Just read a post on a drive breaking. What are common probs of these breaking? Any way to prevent this from happening? How can you prepare when it does happen?

I break pedal arms. I clean and lube after every use. The best is to get another drive for backup purposes. Only other thing you can do is paddle.

Buy a nice paddle

that would probably be me. Make sure you have a paddle as a backup for sure. Do not leave the beach without one. My mirage drive is a 2002 model. Noticed some rust on cables so probably fatigued. Also a chance that adjustment was over tightened per drive condition. Will repair asap and be glad to get back to peddling.

You can break or wear out just about everything on your mirage drive...

It's common to break:

Masts
Drive cables
Idler cables
Idler wheels

It's also not as common to break:
Crank arms (like burt said) I have broken them before...
Splines

It's not common to wear out:
Spline shafts
Drum shafts
Drums



How to prevent things from breaking...?

You can't, just like anything mechanical it will eventually break. Frequent inspection and maintenance will make your mirage drive last longer, and be more reliable.

How can you be prepared?

Have spare parts, and the ability and knowledge how to fix your drive on the fly. Have the proper tools to repair your mirage drive at the ready at all times. You can also invest in a spare drive and carry it with you on those longer trips just in case. Always have a quality full paddle if you own a PA...if all else fails at least you can paddle back.


And....a quality paddle is especially NOT a HOBIE PADDLE!!!

2X Tony well stated.

X3 for what Tony said.
What may look fine on the outside (slight rust) can break from the inside out, like an old Camaro, and boom…you're paddling.
I carry a spare chain that can work for either side, and a 7/16? 9/16? wrench to fix on the water. I don't carry the "equalizer" chain as I can still make it back to shore without the sides being balanced.
Carry a good spare paddle, and on a mellow day go practice without your gear, landings. Learn how to control the kayak, especially the PA's.
Again, like Tony said, anything can break as it's a machine that is submerged in one of the most brutal environments on the planet…salt water.

solid mirage drive crank arm , will never break
 

Pass on this info for those who like to spend a little extra to ensure your pedal arms won't break on you 5 miles offshore.

Solid alum. arm , I used it, and happy with it.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/in...?topic=64498.0


bliston999@gmail.com
I bought it for $85 + $ 5 for shipping for a full set ... two arms
Don't know if the price is still the same.

I don't make a dime off this info :)

You can break or wear out just about everything on your mirage drive...

It's common to break:

Masts
Drive cables
Idler cables
Idler wheels

It's also not as common to break:
Crank arms (like burt said) I have broken them before...
Splines

It's not common to wear out:
Spline shafts
Drum shafts
Drums

Damn Tony. Think you just talked me out of getting a Hobie.

No way I would allow that to keep you from getting a peddler. Had mine since 2002 and just a couple of mainenance issues. Have a good paddle and you are good to go. Just think, every 6 or 7 years you may get a good upper body workout.

In addition to saltwater corrosion, I rather strongly suspect that most PEDAL arms are broken by guys who habitually slam them against the stops with every stroke. Using about a 3/4 stroke is not only easier on the mechanism but is probably more efficient besides.

I pedal my Hobie; only dealers peddle them.

I carry a repair kit with me, it has splines, cables, nuts and cotter pins as well as the tool needed to change them out. I have used it twice, it can be a real trip saver.

Pedal it is , my misspell . ( 3 languages is hard on an old brain )

Have you seen people riding a bicycle but instead stand on the PEDALS ?
I did that when I was young.

Many young kid now do stunts on their bicycle, slaming hard while standing on the PEDALS. Never heard anyone broke their PEDALS arms.
And if they do , they might need a trip to the emergency room !

I said that's a design failure by Hobie. :cool:

....and bring your mirage drive plug. I've had to break out the paddle twice and flip flops will only keep so much water out of the yak!

And be sure to wear petals in your hair when you pedal that Hobie Andy peddled ya.

CLIP IN petals?


I have had zero issues with a mirage drive. :confused:
I do carry an extra paddle in the hull just in case of a failure.;)

Be careful Zed you might get bitch slapped all the way from Utah if you get it wrong!

my carbon fiber paddle will last longer than I will. Hell, it might be a family heirloom one day... :paddleersmilie:

So far, broken peddles, gear teeth, mast, and drum. One thing I have not broken yet, that I hear lasts about 2 years, is the chain. Good idea to put some heavy grease on the stainless steel cable part of the chain that is not protected by plastic sheathing. That area is known to rust and fail.

My shoulders have already lasted longer paddling than mirages have been invented. But the replacement costs will be steeeeeep when they do go.

Cabo is always bitching about his mirage drive not working right. I have to remind him hes paddling.

You can break or wear out just about everything or anything on your mirage drive.

here are some of the common things that tend to break:

Idler cables
Drive cables
Masts
Idler wheels

These items do not break as much:
Crank arms (like that other guy said) I haven't had one break and splines


it's not common to have some of these items wear out:
Drum shafts
Spline shafts
Drums



Here are some helpful tips on preventing things from breaking?

everything mechanical it will eventually break. Inspection and maintenance will make your mirage drive last longer and of course that will make it more reliable.

In well over 20 years of kayak fishing I have never broken a paddle. :paddleersmilie:

That is why the paddle is a good back up if the mirage drive has problems. It is definitely a back up......maneuvering a kayak with hands free to reel in fish, eat lunch, adjust fishfinder, take photos....etc is why kayakers switch over.

Just replaced linkage on my drive. Will use old parts as backups. Tuned rudder and am ready for the rest of the season. Fastlane service was great. In and out under 1.5 hours. Will take a 7/16th wrench and small vise grips with me from now on 'just in case'. Make sure you have a paddle for back up for those who run pedal systems. With that said, pedal system for fishing is super convenient and imo the 'only way to go'.