Spine / Mirage Drive Failure / Replacement

About a month ago I was fishing out of Carmel under windy and sloppy conditions.  We fished an area about 1.5 miles from our launch site.  Called it a day and heading back to the beach I noticed the cables in my mirage drive were undone.  Its a good thing I was about 200 feet away from the beach so I paddled in. 

When I got home I noticed there was a crack on the Spine, part # 81181001.  The crack was located next to the Set Screw that holds the Pulley Shaft and Idler Pulley together.  Picture 3, right green circle is the exact location.

I had JT at CCK Oakland change it for me.  I was not charged for the part but paid for half a hour for labor.  I know it took him longer to replace it and I am grateful.  In the last 2 weeks I've used it on 3 trips and working fine.

Hobie released a new version on 2013 on up models.  http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=48473
Check your Mirage Drives regularly. 

Thanks for the pics

Thanks Mel. I'll check it out. I had to replace the idler pulley last year which was easy and not too expensive.

Thanks for the info Mel.

I really like the new spine. The skirt on the bottom reduces the splash in the cockpit.