Snapped Turbo Fin shaft

So I got up at zero-dark-thirty and blasted out to Westport this AM for a day of fishing at the jetty...ended up having my trip cut short when I snapped a Turbo fin shaft. I got a nice ling and a couple rockfish before the failure so it wasn't a complete bust but I'm concerned...the shaft snapped right below the set screw (older style drive). Anyone else see this before? BTW, paddling an Outback sucks!

Yea, exact same spot. usually from being bent back into shape after hitting something. that spot is the most fatigued. Good thing is it's only happened once in hundreds of trips .

Yes, paddling a outback does suck...

Hmmmm...I did smack a submerged stump last week at Lake St Claire but I didn't notice it being bent...now that I look at the fractured surfaces it does look like there was an existing crack about 1/4 of the way through with the rest of the break looking like clean and fresh. OK, I feel better now thanks!...and I better pull and inspect the other one too.

Here's a link to a previous thread on a Hobie Mirage mobile repair/spares kit.  I keep mine in my truck.  If I'm going far I stick it inside the yak.

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=7889.msg85003#msg85003

Here's a link to a previous thread on a Hobie Mirage mobile repair/spares kit.  I keep mine in my truck.  If I'm going far I stick it inside the yak.

Thanks, great tips! In my case, I don't think any amount of spare parts/tools would have helped as removing the broken shank required considerable work/tools.
Lesson learned is I'll thoroughly inspect this area anytime I "smack" something...and now I truly understand the value of having that paddle aboard.

and now I truly understand the value of having that paddle aboard.

I'll admit to going out at sunset one time without my paddle. It was horrible, lasted less then an hour, all i could think of was a drive failure and being dashed on the rocks.

Does anybody have one with a crack in it?  I would like to x-ray one and compare it to a new one to see if I could obviously tell which has the crack.  It should be obvious, but I would like to know for sure.  Then, if anyone has  questionable one, I could x-ray it for them. 

I could x-ray it for them.

Is there a doctor in the house? My mirage drive is acting abnormally.

I am currently running mine with a bent shaft. I hit a submerged stump a month ago. It feels like I'm able to pedal a little easier with the bend in the shaft. I admit I have been pretty lazy to have not swapped out the shaft. I guess I'll do it tomorrow. Let me know if you want to dink around with that damaged part.

I am currently running mine with a bent shaft. I hit a submerged stump a month ago. It feels like I'm able to pedal a little easier with the bend in the shaft. I admit I have been pretty lazy to have not swapped out the shaft. I guess I'll do it tomorrow.

I'd recommend against waiting for it to fail...getting that broken shank out required me to drill a small hole into it then tap in a screw so I could extract it.

I am currently running mine with a bent shaft. I hit a submerged stump a month ago. It feels like I'm able to pedal a little easier with the bend in the shaft. I admit I have been pretty lazy to have not swapped out the shaft. I guess I'll do it tomorrow.

I'd recommend against waiting for it to fail...getting that broken shank out required me to drill a small hole into it then tap in a screw so I could extract it.

Even that didn't work for me once.  I ended up pulling the socket loose that housed the post.  Needed to replace the whole sprocket.

These are still fine, right?  This is what happens when you go from 3.5 mph to 0 mph almost instantaneously.  Stupid under water stumps.  It was the first time I have ever bent the aft shaft.



Actually, I did straighten them out and have not had any issues...yet.  I am thinking of getting a new set and making these the spare.