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Mirage drive fin fell off
http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=34195
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Author:  abonnin [ Tue Mar 01, 2011 2:53 am ]
Post subject:  Mirage drive fin fell off

Here's one I haven't seen yet on forum discussions.
I have a 2011 TI, and I love the boat (or whatever it is). However, apart from the almost predictable problems with the rudder (I note the fix kit and replacement plan which is encouraging), I have managed to drop a fin from a drive. As far as I can tell the drive was correctly inserted. I put it in and removed it in waist deep water, so it did not hit the bottom, and it has never done so. While I was pedalling into a fairly choppy sea, I noticed that one pedal lost resistance, and when we landed, a passer-by came up and handed me my lost fin, which had miraculously stayed on the post until we got within metres of the shore. The post was straight, and the bolt with knurled brass tensioning nut intact. The fin is also intact, although it looks a bit stretched at the trailing edge where the brass nut sits. The only way the fin could have detached is is that the nut was pulled through the bolt hole in the fin, which looks impossible. The bolt hole is undamaged. Has anyone else managed to do this?

Author:  mmiller [ Tue Mar 01, 2011 9:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive fin fell off

100%... installed incorrectly in the dirve well. Aft fin... distorted trailing edge... hardware hanging there... all signs that the fin contacted the well and was peeled off the clew attachment hardware.

Review the following: http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=12836

Author:  abonnin [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 3:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive fin fell off

Thanks Matt. Very prompt. I think you are right - I remember the drive feeling loose, although only for a couple of strokes, and I took it out and re-seated it. I checked and there is no damage to the hull, and the drive has gone back together OK I think. Heading out again this weekend, so we'll see. I will use the technique advised in the link to install drives.

Author:  abonnin [ Mon Mar 07, 2011 12:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive fin fell off

FOLLOW-UP TO THIS POST. ALL WELL. USED THE BOAT NONSTOP ALL WEEKEND AND DRIVES WERE FINE. I HAVE NOW GOT THE TECHNIQUE DOWN.

Author:  John Smallberries [ Mon Jul 25, 2011 4:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive fin fell off

I lost two fins on my 2010 TI this weekend with symptoms as you described. The brass knurled knob must have pulled through the rubber fin. When I pulled out the drive, the fin was gone, but the knob hardware was intact. I never found the lost fins (donated to Lake Huron), so I can't tell if the rubber was ripped.

We did have some problems getting the drives installed properly (it was a group weekend with many new users trained on installing/removing the drives.) After a few tries, it appeared the drives were working properly and moving the boat quite easily.

I read the thread about installing the drives correctly and will try these techniques next time I go out. I am a bit surprised to lose a fin with no obvious installation problems and absolutely no bottom-hitting.

I would like a better understanding how difficulty installing the drives can actually damage the fins. Once they are in, they seem to be installed properly with no apparent binding, etc.

I now have to order replacements and will try again...

Author:  FLEETadmiralSCOTT [ Wed Feb 13, 2013 6:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive fin fell off

Hello all,

I took my new to me Hobie TI out this past weekend in south Florida. It was my first ride in one and i learned alot and had a blast. Early on my second outing the front seat lost a mirage drive fin in the same way described above. we were in a channel near a sand bar but not over the sand bar. My friend who was pedaling hard for fun said all of a sudden "its really hard to peddle." I asked him to remove the drives thinking the cables fell off the cam or something. I noticed when he was peddleing the fins at full stroke were hitting the bottom of the haul. When he pulled the fins the rear one was completely missing with the lead post still intact and the brass nut intact.

I am not sure if the peddles were installed correctly. I know my girlfriend the day before had them installed incorrectly one time but she didn't peddle much. I heard a knocking while reaching and fixed the peddles.

Does anyone know the source of the failure? I could not recover the fin to inspect it. Does anyone know if this failure is covered under the warranty. My boat is a 2011 (2012 maybe)? The haul is under warranty I believe.

Author:  Jbernier [ Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mirage drive fin fell off

FLEETadmiralSCOTT

Please read this FAQ: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=12836

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