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Mirage drive double cable failure
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Author:  JollyGreen [ Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:13 am ]
Post subject:  Mirage drive double cable failure

I was out on an AI sail last evening and was using the drive to assist in a tack when I heard a pop. I inspected the drive and found both steel cables had popped! :shock: I have only used standard fins and really don't put a lot of stress on them. I've had the boat for a year and a half, so I would recommend getting new steel cables if your boat is on the older side.

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Author:  Synovis [ Wed Sep 01, 2010 5:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive double cable failure

On the flip side, I have a Revolution and an Adventure that got 3yrs on their original cables.
I must say though....once one breaks go ahead and do them all at once because the others aren't far behind. :shock:

Author:  JollyGreen [ Wed Sep 01, 2010 10:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive double cable failure

Just wondering a couple things, I would love to get 3 years of use on mine. :)


How do you store your drive? Where? Is it in a bag? Do you store it hanging? I just thought that if you don't store it hanging upside down I could see where saltwater could work it's way down the steel cable and get trapped by the rubber/plastic wrapping. If you store it hanging upside down seems like the saltwater would drip off. I would have to look, maybe there is no way to avoid this on all the cables.

Also, what position number do you have your pedals set to? I'm tall so mine are in the furthest position from me. Maybe that puts more stress on the cables?

Author:  KayakingBob [ Wed Sep 01, 2010 10:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive double cable failure

Jolly, most of my drives are at least 3 years old, except for my TI ones, and I've only gone through 1 cable, and it was considered defective and replaced under warranty. My drives are stored, hanging from their pedals (so like when in use). Also if you have the newer style drive (newer drums), it should last even longer. My 2 oldest drives will be 4 years old come November. Just rinse the drive with fresh water before putting it away, spray with WD40 when not going to be used for more than a week, check it often and adjust when needed.

Author:  JollyGreen [ Wed Sep 01, 2010 11:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive double cable failure

Yeah, that's weird, I do most of that maintenance regularly. I keep it in the top of my big army duffel bag, always left open, which keeps the drive with pedals up. I also recently checked the cables and screws and everything seemed tight and in good working order. Glad to hear it should last longer.

Author:  Synovis [ Wed Sep 01, 2010 11:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive double cable failure

I had both version 1 models so in my case, the cables broke right at the "crimp" where it bends sharply around the drum.
I have since switched to the newer drum and hopefully will get another 3 years out of them atleast.

I store mine on the floor in the laundry room laying on their side.
I do rinse after every trip and do oiling about twice a year or when they feel loose.
I usually fish about every weekend all summer long (when not stuck in a monsoon...seems Florida is growing a season for these).

I got a lot of mileage out of them and I am quite abusive to them so I cant really complain about the time frame for replacement honestly.

Still beats the cost of a stink boat.

Author:  NOHUHU [ Wed Sep 01, 2010 2:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive double cable failure

2 other things come to mind JG.

1. As your name implies, you have veeery long legs. Do the fins tend to slap the hull of the boat, regardless of the number setting on the pedals?

2. You were towing another boat to safely on our last sail. (3 cheers) Ultimately, this may have been the price for doing that.

Author:  stringy [ Wed Sep 01, 2010 3:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive double cable failure

JG,
The V2 drive has a two year warranty I think. Check with your dealer.
How long the cables last depends mostly on how many cycles it has gone through and in what sort of conditions. If you pedal a lot and the conditions are rough (or you are towing something) it stands to reason that the cables will have a shorter life than if you are just pedaling through a tack.
That's one reason why I prefer to pull the drives when sailing conditions are suitable.
I have broken idler cables and drivechains on V1 drives after a year and V2 drives after 2 years of use. The drive is a mechanical device that will wear out with use. I carry spare cables and drivechains with me as I expect it could fail.
I have to replace the chain, chainrings and cassette each year on my MTB so I'm not surprised that the Miragedrive wears out eventually. :)

Author:  JollyGreen [ Wed Sep 01, 2010 8:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive double cable failure

Yep it snapped in those two places. I don't know if it was misaligned, slipped, twisted, or whatever. It always seemed to run fine, I didn't notice any binding. After I would oil the chain I always give it a few back and forths and it always seemed fine. I never heard the fins slapping the hull when pedaling. Kind of weird really. I always put it in after launching and took it out before landing, I tried never to stress it. Even when towing, the sails were providing most of the power, steven had his sail up and mine as well, I used the mirage drive very gently. I never upgraded from standard fins because I wanted to put the least amount of stress on the drive and the drive well. I guess it could just be normal wear? I've done several 12 mile trips in OC1 mode just pedaling. I should count sometime, put probably over 500 miles of sailing, so I guess all those tacks, putting around and what not add up?

Author:  JollyGreen [ Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive double cable failure

Ugh, I thought the 2 year warranty was on the whole boat. I just realized it's hull only. Mirage drive is 1 year....I'm going to guess mine is 1 year 6 months old.

Kinda bummed everyone else is getting multi-year use and I get an early failure, guess I'll go blow another $100 at the dealer.

Are there any specifications on how to install the chains/cables and how much torque force to put on each bolt?

Author:  stringy [ Fri Sep 03, 2010 12:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive double cable failure

JG,
I thought the warranty was 1 year on a V1 drive but 2 years on a V2. :?
My latest warranties all state 'two year coverage on hull and all components' whereas my earlier kayaks had a two year hull, one year drive warranty.
I'd be double checking this! :wink:

Author:  JollyGreen [ Fri Sep 03, 2010 1:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive double cable failure

Oh nice, I just went to this page,
http://www.hobiecat.com/support/article ... -warranty/

it states 1 year warranty on drive, but I just saw some posts where matt said new boats come with 2 year warranty on hull and drive. thanks for the info, hopefully hobie can validate my claim tomorrow, if not I'm going to buy the parts before the holiday weekend and hope they reimburse me later. weather and swell look good, don't want to miss some fishing trips :)

thanks again!

Author:  Philip1el [ Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive double cable failure

[quote="JollyGreen"]
Kinda bummed everyone else is getting multi-year use and I get an early failure, guess I'll go blow another $100 at the dealer.

I've got thru a few cables in my time with the AI, but then I peddled the boat quite a lot and kind of took it in my stride (figuratively speaking) that in time strands would split and that, I learnt, is time to change the lot. I also carry spare cables and toolkit. I think Hobie give a tension guide for setting your cables or maybe it was RR who wrote about this a couple of years ago.

Author:  NOHUHU [ Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive double cable failure

JollyGreen wrote:
Oh nice, I just went to this page,
http://www.hobiecat.com/support/article ... -warranty/

it states 1 year warranty on drive, but I just saw some posts where matt said new boats come with 2 year warranty on hull and drive. thanks for the info, hopefully hobie can validate my claim tomorrow, if not I'm going to buy the parts before the holiday weekend and hope they reimburse me later. weather and swell look good, don't want to miss some fishing trips :)

thanks again!


Amen to that. Let's fish.

You'll find these pubs in the Hobie support section:
MirageDrive fit
MirageDrive #1 of 3 - Lubrication
MirageDrive #2 of 3 - Lubrication Points
MirageDrive #3 of 3 - Adjustment
Hobie MirageDrive Parts Diagram PDF (450 KB)
Pedal Adjustment Handle Installation PDF (400 KB)
V2 Drum Assembly PDF (500 KB)

Also
http://yakass.net/articles/87-equipment/269-hobie-miragedrive-maintenance
http://yakass.net/articles/87-equipment/454-miragedrive-paddle-rudder-a-kayak-maintenance.html

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