fishing trip cut short

I was out for some early morning fishing today but shortly after starting off my kayak was tilting left and right with every peddle stroke. Balance was way off and I couldn't figure out why so I decided to end the trip early. When I got back to my starting point and pulled my drive I found that one of the fins was missing. <sigh>

Definitely not something I expected to find on my third trip out after having them installed for me.

This is a bummer.  I was with you on the prior two trips cand we were in deep water off of docks so no chance of breaking.  Sorry this happened. Hopefully it is made right

All is well. I should be out on the water again Monday morning.

I just figured I need to post more often so I can get out of “herring” status and start working my way up to at least “salmon” or “sturgeon”. 

Oof that's terrible. I've only had one test run out in my Outback and hoping I don't run into the same problem in a couple outings

I wouldn't worry too much about it. It's not all that common, from what I understand.

I can't count the amount Hobie problems I have heard of over the years related to drives.  Funny I never hear of any other problem related to their yaks, except for the drive units.

I have owned three Outbacks, 2 Revos, an Adventure, and an inflatable. Never had any problem with a drive other than what I would call regular wear and tear over the past 10 years.  They have been pretty bulletproof to me.

I would have to second this. I have two and have had them for several years. I fish with lots of people with hobbies and have not heard any reliability issues. There are select few here o. The board that have had issues but I think that’s more of a lack of care as in throwing or dropping gear.

I would have to second this. I have two and have had them for several years. I fish with lots of people with hobbies and have not heard any reliability issues. There are select few here o. The board that have had issues but I think that’s more of a lack of care as in throwing or dropping gear.

2 busted idler cables, sheared teeth off the sprocket 5 times on 5 separate spines, and broke a pedel clean off at the shaft... just last year. Regular hard use will shred these drives, it's has nothing to do with maintence or dropping them.

2012 PA12 (V2 drive) and 2012 Oasis (2 V2 drives), 2016 i11s (GT drive), 2019 Outback (MD180 drive), all with turbo fins. 

I've averaged about 50 outings per year starting 2013, half fresh water, half salt water (estuaries and ocean).   I use mine hard but am very careful not to abuse them.  I rinse them well after use, WD40 them occasionally, and keep the cable tension correct.  The only issue I have had, besides an occasional squeak from the V2 drives, is a nylock nut on my MD180 drive loosening up after I had tightened them slightly after about 20 outings.  Amazing reliability based on my experience with them.     

Workhard-I have long wondered what the hell you are doing wrong as you are the outlier. I fish nearly every morning. I did have a reverse spectra brake recently but not to worried about that as it should be an easy fix and I use my gear regularly. 

Workhard-I have long wondered what the hell you are doing wrong as you are the outlier. I fish nearly every morning. I did have a reverse spectra brake recently but not to worried about that as it should be an easy fix and I use my gear regularly.

My trips average around 12nm and I've done as much as 24nm, with long periods of fighting current upwards of 2.5knts. I put an insane amount of pressure on the pedals.

I'm not doing anything wrong, I'm just doing things with the kayak nobody else does. I know this because I only see a handful of other fishing kayaks in out there every year (outside of the Nisqually flats in August, I have myself to blame for that one).

Hit up some of the angler forums, you will read of the occasional mirage drive issue.   Not knocking them but is you think of it just the way they work compared to a propeller style drive the stress on the unit is going to be there over what a prop goes through.      Some of it may be owner, and some of it an engineering issue.  I do recall reading that issues increased on earlier drives when they converted to turbo fins, and that makes sense, as the original units were not engineered for that size of a "wing." 

Same thing happened to me at last year's AOTD. I was half way to Simpson's Reef and something did not feel right, pulled the drive and one of the fins was gone Fortunately I was able to pedal my butt off with one fin maintaining barely 1mph. I did make it back to the launch and a fellow member that was not fishing was kind enough to loan me his drive and I was back in the game.
I always inspect my drive before launching so I am not exactly sure what happened. Best thing I can guess is the little circle clip came off the retaining pin for the fin somehow. I now carry a spare parts kit with me.