Tried finding this here and on the interwebs but haven't. I'm kind of baffled that Hobie didn't make these MD chain/cable connections stronger. As they are (V2's/GTs) they are merely crimped (chain side female socket with cable end inserted). I've used silver solder, MAPP gas torch, and flux to solder SS (specifically thermocouples inside thin-walled SS tubing). I'm considering having a go at a repair, only challenges I see are two: 1. I need to get the braided SS cable inserted back into the female feral (done, as I used a Dremel diamond bit just a little smaller in diameter to bore out the female end more). 2. Get enough heat (430F) to the base end of the chain feral to get the silver solder to wick w/o too much damage to the Teflon sheath covering the cable. I think if I file down about 1/16" off the feral (provide a 1/16" gap between the top of the feral and end of sheath) and have the cable submerged and held in water up as far as possible, I can get this done. Oh, of course I will also re-crimp the union before silver soldering.
So why? Was this done by design to allow failure so other more expensive components don't fail, or to allow failure to sell very expensive SS chain/cables, or both?