Mirage Drive Idler Cable Upgrade DIY (Simple)

Quick fix for the hard to find or out of stock Mirage Drive Idler cable.

Mine was about to split and actually couldn't find a replacement anywhere... out of stock, or if they had one on backorder it was nearly $100..

Bought some coated 1/8 inch cable and some 1/8th inch crimps.  Simple and a much stronger and durable cable than the stock Hobie that only lasted me less than two years.

I don't think Hobie's cables are durable enough for the longer term.  These cable will last a lifetime and won't stretch either. 

This is a very simple upgrade and should have you feeling more confident out on the water.

Looking good.   Thanks for the tips astralography.

Clever fix! Looks a lot more professional than my bungee cord idler cable, haha.

That looks great and creates a more solid connection/power transfer than the bungee solution. Thanks!

Cheers,
Brad

A word of caution on that cable.  I've never had any luck with vinyl coated galvanized surviving very long on salt water.  The salt seems to wick right up and get trapped by the vinyl and starts to rust from the inside out leading to failure.

Interesting fix.

Pls keep us updated on how it works out. Thanks for the post.

Al

A word of caution on that cable.  I've never had any luck with vinyl coated galvanized surviving very long on salt water.  The salt seems to wick right up and get trapped by the vinyl and starts to rust from the inside out leading to failure.

vinyl coated stainless looks to be $1 a foot at Home Despot - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-8-in-x-1-ft-Stainless-Steel-Vinyl-Coated-Wire-Rope-809916/204765305

cool fix, I'll have to try this next time. How do you make adjustments to the cable to make it tighter or looser...un-crimp and re-crimp?

My buddy had tried to re solder and crimp the cable to the bolt end of the idler cable and it failed on the water this weekend.

He had brought some spare cable and some aluminum crimps but was unable to properly crimp on the water, in a similar fashion that you are showing. I ended up tying some emergency paracord while we were drifting that kept him running the rest of the weekend lol.

A word of caution on that cable.  I've never had any luck with vinyl coated galvanized surviving very long on salt water.  The salt seems to wick right up and get trapped by the vinyl and starts to rust from the inside out leading to failure.

Well, nothing lasts forever.. certainly not impressed by "Hobie's" cable that didn't even make it two years.  Again, I always rinse with fresh water after use...

This cable is much stronger, and I don't see it coming apart, and I don't see it failing at the crimps.. I crimped it down pretty hard.

With the clear cable, I will be able to see any oxidation/ rust coming.  With the Hobie black cable.. what is going on? .... on the inside was/is a mystery.  I predict this will long outlast the Hobie.  If I need to replace, it's now a free cable for the next 25 cables...and a 5 minute fix.

The cable I bought for $12 gave me 50'... so I can make 25 of these and the brass crimps shouldn't rust out any time soon.  There is not a lot of linear force on the Idler cable.. so I don't see the crimps pulling out.... ever being an issue... just from my viewpoint.

I really think Hobie should have used thicker and more durable cables.  I am more concerned with the cables fastened to the chain at this point... as there is a lot more pressure and torque on those.  They are the same cable as this one that failed. 

But back to original point.. I simply couldn't order a replacement anywhere.. all I got EVERYWHERE was "out of stock".  I also think charging $100 for an 18" cable feels a bit insulting.

cool fix, I'll have to try this next time. How do you make adjustments to the cable to make it tighter or looser...un-crimp and re-crimp?

I thought about this.. sure it's great to have the bolt/nut adjustment.. but also I wouldn't expect that to last forever also.. probably gets frozen up over time. 

I don't see this ever slipping, or loosing up with this much thicker cable that isn't going to stretch out like the Hobie thinner stock cable.

If I need to tighten it.. I will just slide in an open washer or two.. then just crimp that down.  That would do the trick for sure.

I see this as a significant upgrade to my Mirage Drive, as I am not impressed with the stock Hobie cable failing short of two years of moderate use.  Again, I always rinse my drive after every outing..

cool fix, I'll have to try this next time. How do you make adjustments to the cable to make it tighter or looser...un-crimp and re-crimp?

I thought about this.. sure it's great to have the bolt/nut adjustment.. but also I wouldn't expect that to last forever also.. probably gets frozen up over time. 

I don't see this ever slipping, or loosing up with this much thicker cable that isn't going to stretch out like the Hobie thinner stock cable.

If I need to tighten it.. I will just slide in an open washer or two (in the gap).. then just squeeze that down so the washer can't get loose.  That would do the trick for sure.

I see this as a significant upgrade for my Mirage Drive, as I am not impressed with the stock Hobie cable failing short of two years of moderate use.  Again, I always rinse my drive after every outing..

Would be great if someone would cut a mass amount of stainless cable and weld  stainless bolts to them at according lengths. Maybe some type of sleeve at the welding point to prevent breakage at that point. I would be in on a group buy.  Wouldn't this be possible? 

Any stainless welders here that can chime in ?

Would be great if someone would cut a mass amount of stainless cable and weld  stainless bolts to them at according lengths. Maybe some type of sleeve at the welding point to prevent breakage at that point. I would be in on a group buy.  Wouldn't this be possible? 

Any stainless welders here that can chime in ?

I think the stock Hobie cables are crimped into the sleeve ... might have some kind of light welding.. but not sure on that.  I feel a lot more confident with these bigger brass crimps locked down hard.  I might be wrong, but I don't see these coming loose any time soon.

I am more concerned now about the Hobie cables connected to the chain drive. 

Has anyone heard of these failing?

Its called swaging. I did a search but couldn't find the bolt connectors.

https://youtube.com/shorts/8Mu8myNhFKE?feature=share