Hobie Cat Forums

I was just browsing the Kayak Fishing forum...
Some divers found a lost Mirage drive down in Florida...and no-one was
sure whose it was...because there was no marking numbers on it.
Someone else may have had his AI mast/sail stolen off his hull, in his
own backyard (it's going to cost him nearly $800 to replace it).
The AI hull has a serial number...but none of the removable parts do (as far as I can see).
I am thinking about engraving my Social Security number on my Mirage drive, Hobie Paddle, GPS unit, Mast, and using a waterfproof marking pen on my Hobie sail.
Many times the police recover stolen items but without id markings, it is nearly impossible to determine the true owners.
A lot of AI owners browse this forum and the other kayak forums...
it would be nice to be able to inform an owner that we found the lost/stolen part.

Would a different id# be better than using a SS#? Up here in Minnesota, the local police have given out electric pens to engrave our SS# on
household items such as TVs and other electronic items, to facilitate recovery.

Your SS#? Identity thieves would love that!
I would think maybe the 2 character state and then drivers license #?
Or if room, full name and address?
Interesting thought though.

All my Mirage Drives have a serial number on one pedal arm, but probably not kept track of anywhere.

Kayaking Bob

I took pictures of those on ours. Easier than writing them down, and I know where I keep all my AI pictures.

Come to think of it, I don't believe I photographed my V2 drive's number when the V1 went swimming. Gotta do that. At least I'll be able to ID my V1 if it ever comes out of the creek.

Reconlon...I was wrong...you are correct. After posting the starting thread, I happened to talk to local cop...they don't want SS# as ids on items. (almost assured id theft!). They just recommend some special id number.

I did not realize that there was a specific id# on the Mirage Drive...until you pointed it out (silver tag?). So I am going to use the Drive ID# on the rest of my accesories. That way, I only have to record two numbers (the hull number and the drive number).