Mirage drive failure -- number 3

I hope this will help you out...it has worked perfect for me. I put them on my first post.You know it would be cheaper for Hobie to make these pins than to just replace drums all the time. Happy kayaking!

After ripping my 2nd drum, I tried bolting the drive and it has worked great for over 2 years. Just remove the adjustment hardware and replace with SS bolt, lock nut and washer on each side.

Also, the V2 drives have fixed most drive problems for most users.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

Both excellent ideas for anyone using the old style drum. But alas, even a through-bolt arrangement has its limitations:


With some of the '07 and older drums, a combination of warped drum and crank arm flex could momentarily combine to pull the pedal position pin away from the drum to the point where there was inadequate material to support the load. This was an unfortunate side effect of Turbofins with some of the heavier users -- the more anemic standard fins never allowed those higher pressures to develop so this wasn't a problem previously.

As Reconlon mentioned, users of the newer drives (or upgraded older Drives) no longer have to deal with this issue. The '08 and newer drums were redesigned to minimize warpage and improve crank arm retention. Drum material was changed to a glass-filled nylon for better durability and wear characteristics. IMO, this was a huge improvement in the Drive! Pin length is no longer an issue since the gap between crank arm and drum, and crank arm flex has virtually been eliminated by the drums and redesigned crank arms.

I'm happy to report that it's a whole lot harder to break a new drum than an old one! And for anyone who does rip through a pedal-pin hole in a drum, you can reverse the drums (they're symmetrical) to get a fresh hole -- almost as good as a new drum and works like a charm!

A reminder -- whenever changing pedal position, always make sure the pedal pins are fully inserted -- listen for them to snap in. Even with the new drums, it's possible to rip material off if those pins aren't all the way in!

This thread is exactly why I have decided not to purchase a Hobie Kayak. Will the insanity stop? All good intentions by Hobie, but equipment failure is simply unacceptable.

We go out for five hour paddles, and have had our Wilderness system for five years without a problem. I can't imagine going out in a Hobie for five hours and wondering what might break.

I'm a good hearted person, but Hobie, get your act together!

Lisa

Lisa, that problem was posted 3 years ago, shortly after Turbofins came out and solved 2 years ago. It sounds like between all the imagined estimated weight issues and seeing old potential problems you spooked yourself back to that old boat of yours without ever trying a Hobie for yourself.

There is nothing wrong with a Wilderness Systems kayak. I'm just sorry to see you talk yourself out of a great product so easily. Best of luck!

I have to agree with Roadrunner ...I won't trade my Hobie outfitter for anything else. I fish out of mine every weekend unless it's raining. It has been more than what I expect from a well built kayak.Yes ,they had a few bumps along the way ,but this is I one kayak you don't want to miss out on . Not having to paddle is awesome and you can cover so much more water with little effort. I have never been stranded nor do I feel I would ever be.

Don't miss out, give it a try,
Newyaker

Lisa, the Hobie Mirage kayaks, especially the AI and ProAngler are more complicated than your average kayak. More complicated means more can go wrong. With that said, Hobie stands behind their products far better than any other manufacturer that I've ever dealt with!

Plus, what other kayak manufacturer has a forum as active both by owners, and factory personal.

Most problems are solved before most users ever knew they existed.

Are Hobie's perfect? Not yet, but we're all working on it!

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

This is true, more moving parts in those other kayaks. No, it IS very clear that Hobie is unbelievably supportive to owners. Something lost today in a very high tech world.

I do appreciate the support you give folks, I truly do. Paddling is what we love, there is just nothing that compares to being on the water all day.

It's obvious that you folks at Hobie love what you do!!

Lisa

HI Guys and Gals ,
I want to give you an update on my drives that I made longer pins for almost a year ago ...They are doing just fine and I was able to continue to use the slightly damaged cam without any problems at all ....I use them almost every weekend without any further damage to the holes and can still use every hole. Now I know from my own experience ,that longer pins solve this problem even if you have the older cams.I think if you change the pins after the first time it happens the chances of the holes in the cam busting through to the other holes is very unlikely. I bet in the previous photo the cam was very damaged before he put the large nuts and bolts in place that busted through to the next hole, otherwise why would he had put them in. Just my take on this issue that has now been solved with the newer cams with closer tolerances and harder material by Hobie.. I hope this my help others with older models.

Happy Kayaking