Atenttion hobie mirage drive users

Do yourself a favor and check all the nuts on the cabling before you go out each time...they can back off....I thought my mirage drive was acting a little funny at the sucia trip...it felt like it was skipping a tooth or something every once in a while....well today I set out for the artificial reef that is a little ways north of my house to try some lingcod fishing (roughly 3 miles one way)....it felt funny but i didn't think much of it....then im about 2.5 miles to the fishing spot when pop...my pedals go slack and move freely...after a few obscenities were sceamed out i pulled my drive out to find I had lost a drive cable nut...uhhh....now I had to use that thing they call a paddle to get back...Luckily the wind was in my favor for the 2.5 mile trek back and it wasn't too difficult...but seeing as I have never actually paddled that far it was interesting.  I'm going to get new nuts and put lock tight on this time. I thought the self locking stainless steel would be enough but apparently I was wrong.  I guess I will try the spot and hopefully actually make it there tomorrow to fish lol.

Yep, MD maintenance is a good idea. Always wash it in fresh water after being in the salt, give it a few sprays of WD40 every ten times of use and give it a once over every now and then. I've heard of some drive problems over the years but can count them on one hand. Myself, I've been using them near 5 years now w/o a single problem. Sorry to say it but you "lucked out." Like I said, go get a lottery ticket!!!

Z

you must have had a bad nylock. like z said, rinse 'em with fresh water evrytime you use it in salt, give them a shot of lube once in a while.The  cables need to be tightened every once in a while, especially when there newer because the cable does stretch.

I wish I didn't know what you are talking about.

 My first time out at Beverly Beach the mast fell out on one fin leaving me with the sound of one fin flapping. Very disconcerting in bumpy cold water.

 It hung on by the clew (?) screw and I was able to get it to stay in using my knife as an allen wrench, but I never left home without one after that.

Maintenance is good.

I replaced the sprockets when i put the turbo fins on...you won't have that problem with the new ones...they screw into a brass fitting and i used locktight...

i always wash my drive and give it lube every now and again i just didn't think to look at the nuts...when i replaced the sprockets i should have gotten new self locking nuts but i didn't so that is probably one of the issues...and like i said i didn't use loctight

I replaced the sprockets when i put the turbo fins on...

I wish I could, but I have the old style drive. When Zee posted a pic of those new sprockets I was salivating and it about killed me when he said they would not work. 

Checking for loose hardware is essential. Go easy on the WD40 though. It tends to dissolve the grease.

Checking for loose hardware is essential. Go easy on the WD40 though. It tends to dissolve the grease.

The MDs don't really have grease on them. Just a light coating of lube so it's essential to keep it replenished.

Z

The main shaft that the drive rests on comes greased from the factory. Here's a pretty good thread on drive maintenance:

 www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/showthread.php?t=589433

scroll down to the 10th post and he talks about the grease

The main shaft that the drive rests on comes greased from the factory. Here's a pretty good thread on drive maintenance:
www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/showthread.php?t=589433
scroll down to the 10th post and he talks about the grease

I've gone through a Hobie or two in my day Hank.. The grease that is on the MD is only for protection while in storage. Grease isn't the right lubricant for the MD as it holds on to dirt and sand. WD40 and the like are the ticket.

Z

The main shaft that the drive rests on comes greased from the factory. Here's a pretty good thread on drive maintenance:
www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/showthread.php?t=589433
scroll down to the 10th post and he talks about the grease

I've gone through a Hobie or two in my day Hank.. The grease that is on the MD is only for protection while in storage. Grease isn't the right lubricant for the MD as it holds on to dirt and sand. WD40 and the like are the ticket.

Z

How does dry silicon hold up, or does it get washed off pretty quick?

How does dry silicon hold up, or does it get washed off pretty quick?

I wash my drive after each use and spray WD40 in the joints on my drive every 10th time fishing. Never had a single problem w/ my drives in 5 years.. so I guess pretty good.

Z

I have been told that WD40 will also become gummy and attract dirt and sand at some point. I was also told a better alternative would be Break Free. Any thoughts on that?

i use break free on my drive amongst many other things...i have had any corrosion problems...but then again i haven't had it very long...i do know if you have rusty tools break free will do a descent job at cleaning them up

Which lubricants to use in which situation ... An interesting conversation in itself!

-Allen