Mirage drive fix kit

Hobie owners! I want to make an on-the-fly fix/repair kit for the drive on my 2020 Outback. I clean and inspect it after every trip but would still like to be prepared for the worst and want to know what some of the things I should include in said kit might be. What you have had fail on the water and what you wish you had to fix it? Backup nuts are obvious. I've read a few posts but would like everyone's opinion on one post. Let me know what you got!

I have only had an idler cable fail, but in its defense, it was used hard for 7 years before it broke.  The hard part is finding another one locally. They always seem to be out of stock.

I think you need to determine which failures you intend to handle on the water, and which you will deal with back on land.

I think you also have to distinguish between "get me home" repairs versus "return to normal operation".

The simplest on-the-water repair is to not. You go to your backup drive, which is both get-me-home and return-to-normal. But that may not be practical for two reasons: 1) Cost, and 2) Weight of having it with you at all times.

Number 1 you can mitigate by trying to source an older drive, maybe someone's hull failed, or they "upgraded" to a 180 drive and are selling their old drive to finance the upgrade. Alternately, you can source one of the knock-off drives that match the original Mirage design as opposed to the latest Hobie drives.

Number 2 you can't really do anything about, other than ditch it as an on-the-water option. It stays onshore to salvage your multi-day trip, but doesn't address anything that fails on the water.

The above having been said, I don't yet have a backup drive, unless you count my wife's from her Sport.

Under my front hatch I keep a cheap paddle that breaks down into 4 pieces. The pieces are fastened together with paracord, secured to the mast so it can be retrieved. This is my backup to the paddle, which is backup to the drive.

My repair kit is pretty basic - a screwdriver with multiple bits from Harbor Freight. A vice grips from HFT. Spare split rings, one spare fin and mast. I probably should include one sprocket housing/assembly. A short piece of 1/2" PVC pipe - I wasn't kidding about bending a mast, and Mojo used a piece of pipe to bend it back. This all rides in a small drybag, also secured to the mast support. You don't want anything sliding around, in particular sliding out of reach.

I also keep a roll of gorilla tape, and a roll of flex seal tape for hull repair/patch.

You already have a spare shear pin for the rudder built into the rudder. Put another in your repair kit.

I'm not prepared to repair a severed rudder line. I suppose I could cannibalize the braid from a reel to make a temporary solution. I would triple up the lines to come sort of close. 3-4 runs of 30-50# braid might carry the strain of the standard line, at least temporarily.

The only point of emergency repairs is to get you to dry land where you can safely make complete repairs.

I've replaced a couple idler and drive cables on my mirage drive.
In my backyard sitting at a bench.

It's not technical, it's just a pain in the ass, I wouldn't want to do, or try do it on the water.
Drop that lock nut, how many spares do you have?

I agree with the comments made by Monkeyfist and Pinstriper above, so I don't bring repair parts and tools for my Revolution with me on the water.  For the kayaks I've owned, it's difficult to predict which parts might fail during a day on the water, it isn't practical to carry a complete set of repair parts and tools with you on the water, and even if you lucked out and had the exact parts and tools needed to repair a gear failure, it would be difficult to make most repairs on the water.  For example, I once hit my rudder on an underwater rock and broke a rudder cord, but I don't think it would be possible to replace a rudder cable on the water.  Even if I had an elaborate repair kit in my car, it would be a challenge to replace a rudder cable at a launch site.  I figure that if something breaks when I'm out on the water, it's time to get out my paddle, paddle back to the launch site, go home, order the replacement parts, and make the repair in my shop.

Thanks for the info all. I was only wondering if anyone had any experiences with common failures on these drives that were easy fixes on the water. I always have a paddle with me

One thing you'll be thankful for with this is you shouldn't need to bring extra masts with you in case they break.  See here:

https://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=22213

In my mind, those used to be the best thing to have in a repair kit for the drive.  Since you said you have a 2020 Outback, that means you should have the Kick-up fins on your drive, correct?
Unfortunately, a newly revised drive could have potential problems that we've not yet seen before, so that one you're sort of on your own.

To me, that leaves the cables.  Get an extra set of those with an extra set of stainless lock nuts, a spare wrench that works for the nuts, and you're probably good to go.

One thing you'll be thankful for with this is you shouldn't need to bring extra masts with you in case they break.  See here:

https://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=22213

In my mind, those used to be the best thing to have in a repair kit for the drive.  Since you said you have a 2020 Outback, that means you should have the Kick-up fins on your drive, correct?
Unfortunately, a newly revised drive could have potential problems that we've not yet seen before, so that one you're sort of on your own.

To me, that leaves the cables.  Get an extra set of those with an extra set of stainless lock nuts, a spare wrench that works for the nuts, and you're probably good to go.

I saw that thread and kinda prompted the thoughts behind this post. Yes, I have the kick up fins that came standard with the 2020, I was a little nervous getting something "new" from Hobie and I have seen some of the problems they've had with new products in the past, but so far I have been happy with the drive. I have not taken it apart just yet for an interior inspection as I read about how those nuts don't like to stay once you take them off. I will always be replacing the lock nuts when I take it apart that much, but I do clean it well after each use. Yesterday I forgot to pull the drive before I drug it 30' onto the beach  but all seems well.

I only carry spare nuts, appropriate wrench and a 3mm Hex key in my First Aid kit.  I've used this little repair kit several times over the years (mostly on other peeps kayaks) and it is handy.

When I have my trailer with me I usually have a spare drive, as well as most Hobie drive bits and pieces.  I need to replenish some of it, as I have used some of my stash to service my drives during the off season.  Thanks for the reminder. 

Oh, and hot tip.  When you replace any part off your Hobie that is still usable, but looks like it just needed replaced - KEEP THEM!!   These will be your back up spares or items that can be used to fix someone elses Hobie when you are 5 hours from the nearest place you can get replacements.  Because, even though it might not be brand new, it just has to make it through the remainder of the trip and be properly replaced. 

what have people found as the best wrench to get at the nuts? Getting a shallow socket on there is difficult and adjustables are too bulky.  Just a standard open end wrench in the appropriate size?

Good info! Thanks, i have a "midget" wrench set That I've found fits well but haven't actually removed the nuts.

Good info! Thanks, i have a "midget" wrench set That I've found fits well but haven't actually removed the nuts.

I'm offended by the use of the word "midget" in this post. And if he wasn't sulking offline somewhere, Mojo would be offended by the use of the word "nuts".

Too soon ?

Feels like this was too soon.

You're right. Probably too soon.

I'm offended by the use of the word "midget" in this post. And if he wasn't sulking offline somewhere, Mojo would be offended by the use of the word "nuts".

Too soon ?

Feels like this was too soon.

You're right. Probably too soon.