Hi all,
I have had a Hobie PA12 since 2015, and it has been used intensively. Being keen on fishing and also doing exercise, it is a perfect tool for my needs.....mostly!
In the past 2 years I have changed 6 idler cables and chain assy's, I have have seen cracks in the root of 4 crank shafts, and I have recently broken off one pedal.
Do I handle things wrong? Definitely not! I am machine engineer from education, and have 56 years of life experience with bikes, boats and cars (OK, the first 5-6 years maybe not that much). I know how to tighten a cable until it is tight enough, and the bearings are not squeezed. I do check the cable tension every time I go sailing, and I do rinse and grease the chain. The drive is rinsed with freshwater after each saltwater trip, and I regularly coat everything with Prolan (lanoline) grease.
One year ago, I changed almost all wear parts of my drive. Two new pedal cranks, two new sprockets, two drums, a new drum shaft and all the bearing pins to go with it. Almost a new drive. I was trying to eliminate worn out things could influence wear and breakdown on other parts by doing this change in one cycle.
This "new drive" has not saved me from breakdowns though. 2 chain assemblies, one idler cable and two crank shafts have been damaged. And the broken off pedal to top it all.
You all know how annoying it is to have a breakdown on a trip. I have learned from experience, that the paddle needs to be along with me. 3-4 km of paddling is pretty hard though. Especially in a PA12 loaded with equipment. It adds up on the exercise off course.
I really like the sailing experience of the Hobie Kayak, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this kayak to others, if it weren't for these breakdowns. As engineer, I cant stop playing with upgrades for the kayak, but until now, I haven't found good enough solutions for the chain drives. I have repaired one with silver soldering a cable into a grub screw, and it worked - until the chain broke.
If the reason for my misery is too hard pedaling, I might consider competing in sports again. But I stopped competing in spearfishing 21 years ago, and my lungs are definitely not up for a come back. I'm not older than Mike Tyson, but I don't think he should consider a come back either.
Any advices from Hobie or from fellow kayakers?