Mirage Drive Damage

As a new Pro Angler and first time Hobie owner, I'm not really up to speed on the intricacies of the mirage drive and need some advice on how to fix a fin that hit some submerged rocks. The fin won't stay up all the way...as shown in the first pic. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

My guess is that you slightly bend the mast a few degrees to the rear. Remove it and straighten as best you can in a vise. It'll be fine.

You can plug the hole in the fin with some GOOP (marine, plumbing, shoe, household, etc. - they're all the same products in different packages).

That should make your drive almost good as new and you'll never know the difference.

Did the same exact thing to my drive on a rough wave / beach landing. I am planning on yanking the rod (I lock tighted mine in, so we'll see how easy that is), and I cant fix I will just replace with a new rod.

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"Never mistake a clear view for a short journey." - Cowboy Proverb

Graduating from adventure junkie to dealer. Get your fix at http://www.fasterfarther.com

I think most every PA owner has or will run into this problem, so don't feel bad. It is repairable. I did the same thing when I first started using my PA -- popped the masts through both fins on my second or third outing. After reading some posts on this forum, I decided to just reinsert the rods and leave the fins alone. I also bought some of the Tear-Aid Type B tape advertised on page 33 of the Fall 2011 Hobie Accessories catalog, just in case I started having a problem. Somebody posted on the forum that this worked well. I've never had to use it as the fins have worked fine and I haven't had any trouble with the masts popping out, uless I hit something. That said, it looks like the punctures in mine are further up from the tip of the mast, so may be less likely to pop out compared to your situation.

On another occasion, I also ran up on a submerged log while doing a good clip and bent both masts. I agree it looks like your front mast is bent, causing more of the mast to be exposed. That's just what both of mine looked like. I removed the masts, which isn't too tough to accomplish, you just need to take precautions not to marr the surface of the mast if you use vice grips or pliers(small scratches can be smoothed out with a file or fine metal sandpaper). I didn't have a vise, so I drilled holes to the necessary depth in a block of 6x6 lumber I had lying around, inserted the mast into the holes, and then gently bent each back into shape. I checked the masts by rolling them on my garage floor, which allowed me to see the high spots on the mast. They are not perfect, but they work great. I rethreaded them with some blue Loc-Tite and haven't had a moment of trouble since.

When all this occured, I did take the opportunity to purchase a couple of spare turbo fins and one spare mast. I take one fin and the mast on the boat whenever I go out, just in case. Just make sure you keep vice grips or pliers in the boat or the spare mast won't do you much good. I also recommend keeping on hand a supply of stainless split rings for the fin retainer pins. The split rings tend to get mangled over time -- from your picture, I can see the same is happening to yours. My brother's PA does the same. I think the fin motion rubs that split ring agains the boat. It's worth replacing them often to avoid a fin falling off and sinking to the bottom. I just keep a handful of them in the gear bucket under the rear hatch, along with some tools and plastic zip ties.

Good luck!

TDK

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Anonymous - "The gods do not subtract from the alloted span of men's lives the hours spent fishing."

Thanks for the informative replies and great advice guys!

IMO, the best way to straighten a V2 threaded mast is to leave it in the Drive, remove both fins, and bend it forward in place. If you remove it, you risk damaging the threads, rendering the mast worthless.

If you had a V1 unthreaded mast (which you don't), I would agree with removing it and straightening with a vice or hammer as your best option.

I keep an 18" length of 3/8" (ID) pipe as a mast straightener for just such a purpose; strip the fins off, bend the mast forward to where both masts are parallel, and install the fins. That simple -- no removal, re-installation or Loctite necessary -- the whole job is done in 5 minutes.

I don't even bother to patch the hole in the fin as long as it happens at least 1/2" from the mast tip; I've never had one expand, tear or drop out yet, and no degradation in performance.

I love my PA, but it is crap like this that make me want to sell mine for a traditional paddle. So much crap to deal with.

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It's not the heat it's the humility!!!
Hobie Pro Angler

I have only had my PA for about two months, but I really don't understand why it seems the rods bend easy. I fish in alot of shallow water with mud and sandy bottoms. I have ran my fins aground a few times and lucky no issues. I made a ten foot push pole that I use alot when shallow. My mirage drive is out most of the time or fins against the hull when I am fishing.

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Kayak Corpsman, 2012 Hobie Pro Angler

Sell your PA because of this crap?? I'll take your PA to relieve the pressure and add years to your life, worry free!

Sorry, couldn't pass on that one!

I've experimented with several tapes on the tips of my flippers. I've found that 3M clear dust tape works best. It stick well when wet and is strong. No need for expensive tape.

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Southwest Hobie Island Club
http://www.facebook.com/southwesthic

When you hit something, you'd prefer to have the least expensive part damaged. Replacing a mast isn't expensive and most of the time they can be easily straightened.

Sure, Hobie could build a much beefier drive, but it'd be heavier, more expensive, etc., etc. What they have now seems to offer the best all-around combination of performance, efficiency, simplicity and cost.

I think I've bent a mast maybe 2 or 3 times in the 5 years I've owned Mirage Drive boats. None of those experiences has made me feel like picking up a paddle again.

I totally agree with you, Tom. If the rods did'nt bend and act like a shock absorber, there would probably be much lmore stress, (and concomitant damage done) to the mounting area in the drive well. I think it is a happy medium. BTW, how are you coming with your drive project?? Any serious bites?? or just tire kickers?? Regards....

I don't really have any sort of drive project. The two units I built are still working extremely well. That's really all I wanted.

I was able to straighten the mast while it was in the Drive. I like your pipe suggestion and will get one for future use if needed.

I thought about using a pipe to straighten the masts, but was worried about putting pressure on and breaking the sprocket. Clearly that hasn't been an issue for you or Tom, so I think I'll try that next time.

I completely agree about not patching the holes in the fins. Based on your advice from a previous post I have just left mine alone and have experienced no expansion or trouble with masts popping out. I think the Mirage drive is remarkably sturdy and forgiving.

TDK

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Anonymous - "The gods do not subtract from the alloted span of men's lives the hours spent fishing."