*Added Pics * Mirage drive failed...got home anyway - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

ful-rac · 11-09-2015, 08:44 AM

Iv'e had all those same problems too, but they are few and far between now. You should check your mirage drive after every trip or every other trip. Look for frayed cables, loose cables, unusual wear, bent masts, cracks on the crank arms, loose set screw for the spline shaft...

You should take care and maintain your mirage drive regularly. If you can't or won't...expect to have more failures in the future.

Get a decent paddle
And...learn how to paddle too...

DanaPT · 11-09-2015, 08:52 AM

Hooping this year I broke a cable on my way out to the secret spot. the outback can be paddled. not the best tracking kayak.

i now carry the extra side cable and a wrench in my dry bag.

I need an extra middle cable to be complete. I think having 2 or 3 of these is cheaper than buying an extra drive.

and Ful-rac is spot on! inspect what you expect.

Hammerhead_77 · 11-09-2015, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

Iv'e had all those same problems too, but they are few and far between now. You should check your mirage drive after every trip or every other trip. Look for frayed cables, loose cables, unusual wear, bent masts, cracks on the crank arms, loose set screw for the spline shaft...

You should take care and maintain your mirage drive regularly. If you can't or won't...expect to have more failures in the future.

Get a decent paddle
And...learn how to paddle too...

All respect to Ful-rac...I do indeed clean, inspect and lubricate after each trip.

This started with a little clicking sound...looked for what was causing it and saw a small crack in the black coating on the idler cable. Few minutes later that little crack was a bunch of fraying cable ends and the idler was toast. It went fast. I will carry extra cables for sure...but I gotta say, once the axle walked forward it was game over for an OTW repair no matter what parts I might have had.

To your other point...I didn't really know that this ISN"T a decent paddle. I'd never tried it. Now I have and I'm going shopping for sure. I don't thing this thing will be a joy to paddle no matter what, but with this paddle its a non-starter.

Mr. NiceGuy · 11-09-2015, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

You should check your mirage drive after every trip or every other trip. Look for frayed cables, loose cables, unusual wear, bent masts, cracks on the crank arms, loose set screw for the spline shaft...

You should take care and maintain your mirage drive regularly. If you can't or won't...expect to have more failures in the future.

Anything else you would add to a formalized "mirage drive maintenance checklist"?

---

Additional information:

Mirage Drive Lubrication choices
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewt...p?f=60&t=12577

Mirage Drive Lubrication points
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewt...p?f=60&t=12576

Mirage Drive Adjustments
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewt...p?f=60&t=12578

Mirage Drive FAQ's
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewf...9c9c6512c01b74

tacmik · 11-09-2015, 04:26 PM

Seems to me that if I spent that kind on money on a P14. I would expect that Hobie would have better quality control and design a system that would not have these problems. Think with all the problems that seem to keep cropping up it is time for a recall and a Senate investigation.

Mr. NiceGuy · 11-09-2015, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacmik

Seems to me that if I spent that kind on money on a P14. I would expect that Hobie would have better quality control and design a system that would not have these problems. Think with all the problems that seem to keep cropping up it is time for a recall and a Senate investigation.

Trying to make everything idiot proof just makes more idiots.

Hobie design and quality is good, but anything can fail. When we are the "pilot in command" it's our job to think things forward and have options and backups ready for handling unexpected situations.

When it's us and nature, it's up to us to survive. Maybe there's nobody else out there to complain to when things don't go right.

A little common sense is a good thing.

11-09-2015, 08:44 AM	#1
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Iv'e had all those same problems too, but they are few and far between now. You should check your mirage drive after every trip or every other trip. Look for frayed cables, loose cables, unusual wear, bent masts, cracks on the crank arms, loose set screw for the spline shaft... You should take care and maintain your mirage drive regularly. If you can't or won't...expect to have more failures in the future. Get a decent paddle And...learn how to paddle too... __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

11-09-2015, 04:26 PM	#5
tacmik Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East County Posts: 914	Seems to me that if I spent that kind on money on a P14. I would expect that Hobie would have better quality control and design a system that would not have these problems. Think with all the problems that seem to keep cropping up it is time for a recall and a Senate investigation. __________________

11-09-2015, 08:52 AM	#2
DanaPT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South OC Posts: 1,606	Hooping this year I broke a cable on my way out to the secret spot. the outback can be paddled. not the best tracking kayak. i now carry the extra side cable and a wrench in my dry bag. I need an extra middle cable to be complete. I think having 2 or 3 of these is cheaper than buying an extra drive. and Ful-rac is spot on! inspect what you expect.