Sand in Hobie Mirage MD180 drive

1st beach landing last weekend and my MD180 drive was toast.  It was so flat out when landing that I didn't bother to pull the drive.  I've done the same with my old Hobie Outback dozens of times.  When I got home and rinsed off the drive, I noticed it was extremely crunchy.  I never had this problem with my old Outback.

The internals of the MD180 is not a serviceable part according to Hobie.  Ended up filling the bathtub with water and letting it soak for an hour while rotating the pedals back and forth by hand every 15 minutes. 

A lot of sand came out and there is no more crunchiness.  I will never leave the drive in again while landing on a sandy beach.