Mirage Drive jammed in Slot

I have a 2011 AI, On my third time out I inserted the mirage drive assembly and then I was driven by a gust back onto the shore so I had to retract the fins by pushing one peddle forward. This worked okay but on a second attempt the fins caught the bottom of the lake and came loose so I was re-inserting the drive when my mainsheet apparently got into the slot that the drive goes into resulting in the drive becoming jammed in the slot.
I wasn't aware the line had gotten in the slot and forced pedalled and that's when the drive became crooked in the slot and got damaged.
It is now stuck and one fin came off exposing a stainless steel rod.
Has this happened to anybody else and how much did it cost to repair?

I've had a fin get torn off the stainless steel mast when the drive was improperly seated (passenger on TI). Got lucky and caught the fin before it headed to the bottom. They're pretty easy to put back on but check to make sure the mast isn't bent. As for the drive being stuck, check to see if the front and rear drive tabs are still sitting on top of the AI's drive ledges. If one got pulled under, it may take a combination of force and finesse and a second set of hands to get it out.

I'm answering your post as nobody has answered you.

No it has not happened to me, and I feel regret for the damage and loss of water time this has caused you.

As you have posted no pictures and no one has an idea what the present condition of your boat is, you need to let the Forum know:
1) Is the drive still jammed? If the line is still there turn your boat side ways supported and work the line loose or simply cut the line off...(gently).
2) try to get the drive out with the least amount of force so as not to add to the damage.
3) Have you been able to find the fin? If so, it might be salvageable
4) Try to find and take as many Mirage Drive parts with you to your dealer.

As to the cost, only your Dealer can tell you fer sure.
(as a new drive is in the $600 range, that would be your maximum cost (replacement). Yet you might get off lightly...)

Hoping that helps, fellow Sailor
Trinomite

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Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

I had my Mirage drive jam in it's housing within minutes of starting my first ever sail on my AI, nearly three years ago: viewtopic.php?f=75&t=11416&p=61090#p61090 I drove straight to the dealers where I happened to meet this fella by the name of Stringy, who was helping out. Stringy and the dealer got the drive loose in a few minutes. The main thing I realised was that they had the confidence to apply some force to the drive, whereas I didn't at that time. Anyway, the point is, it's entirely fixable and shouldn't cost you anything.
PS: It never happened again, so think of it as a kind of initiation rite for newbies

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Hey chrisj
Yes you were lucky, but I'm also assuming that LKWS has found his dealer in the meanwhile (common sense).
I was simply putting myself in someone else's shoes if it happened to me. You and I also live very close to our dealers. He may not. He also has a turbo fin missing, a very possible bent rod and gawd knows what else on an obvious misaligned drive.
You're right he is a new owner, but laughing at him I doubt will allow him the confidence to add 'force' to a drive that I doubt he realy knows how it all works as a working fixed setup.
Hoping your post and mine (and obviously his dealer) will help him find his way.

Best Regards
Fred

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Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

Errr Fred, thanks for the gratuitous comments, but I was replying to LKWS, not you.

@LKWS I'm not suggesting you use brute force to extricate your drive, just trying to reassure you that your dealer can probably fix it without much fuss or expense.

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I find that my shoes sometimes catch the Click n Go lever and release one side of my drive, which then gets wedged in sideways. Nothing to do but force it free at that point. I wish there were a lock on those levers.

LKWS,
What WStatz, Chrisj and Tom Ray said.
You will need to force it out or remove the plastic cover and undo one of the CnG lever assembly's.
It's a common newby error. Check this recent post (pics about half way down) for help.
viewtopic.php?f=71&t=37093

And also the Miragedrive FAQ's to ensure you don't do it again.
viewforum.php?f=60
and especially
viewtopic.php?f=60&t=12836

You may be able to refit the fin without a problem as mostly the clew adjustment pulls through without tearing. Just push it back on.