Flipper rods sheared in two

Well, it happened a few months ago. Now it's happened again! Yesterday I broke yet another mast rod for my Turbos. As with the first, the mast broke cleanly just inside the cam hole. This is double the trouble because not only do I have to replace the mast (no big deal) but also the cam because the remaining half inch of the rod is stuck tight in the hole. This is the set-screw model with the fairly recent double-notched rods.

In both cases the rods do not appear to have been bent before the break happened (though peddling sounded just a tad different minutes before the failure of the second). There's no defect evidence that I can detect within the rod's inner metal (such as rust or cavity). Both rod and cam sets are about a year old. Anybody else having problems with this?

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Absolute kayaking corrupts absolutely.

It has happened a number of times on older drives. I have not heard of this with the V2 masts and sprockets.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I am a little confused regarding versions. Is V2 the new "screw-in" rod/cam system?

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Absolute kayaking corrupts absolutely.

Hi Thomas,

I've also had this ("only" once, that is), but I could get that last part out of the sprocket. I think in my case it was caused by the set screw backing out, giving the mast a little play in the sprocket. Pumping the drive long enough this seems to be enough to break the mast. Do you have the sprocket opening warped a little? I had that. I believe in that case it is useless to buy a new mast, for that will probably break once as well.

As Matt indicates, the newer V2 sprockets (with the screw in mast system), solve all that. I replaced my sprockets and the masts, and this problem is gone. I used Roadrunners excellent manual: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=12580. Check this for the details.
It may have been nice if this upgrade would be a free one for the turbo users. For I believe the set screw design is inadequate for the turbos. But that may be asking too much.

Good luck with the repair!

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skua

Thanks for the advice!

I am going with the V2 sprockets/Rods kit in the '09 catalogue for my turbo equipped drive. I also want to upgrade my other standard fin drive as well to V2 sprockets/masts and Turbo Fins. Hobie has some interesting alternatives in how to do this (all in US Dollars)...

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PACKAGE A

72066001 V2 Turbo Fin Kit $90 x 1 = $90

81129001 V2 Sprocket $15 x 2 = $30

TOTAL: $120
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PACKAGE B

81129122 V2 Sprocket/Mast Kit $49 x 1 = $49

81192001 Turbo Fin Replacement $28 x 2 = $56

TOTAL: $105
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There's a $15 difference between A & B. Therefore I'm going with B if I can verify that the Turbo Fin Replacement (81192001) comes complete with all the "tensioner" hardware. Does anybody here know offhand if the tensioner hardware is included with the Turbo Fin Replacement part?

Thomas

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Absolute kayaking corrupts absolutely.

The clew "tensioner" is included on every fin.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)