Hobie GT drive replacement chains/cables...

I just noticed that the chains/cables on my GT drive need replacing ASAP. As with all Hobie parts, genuine Hobie versions are hard to find, and when available, seem to sell at a premium over the already-ridiculous Hobie price. I tried some knock-off versions (shipped from Singapore) a while back, and they were terrible--they fell apart after just a couple of uses. These look to be different:

https://www.amazon.com/Mirage-Drive-Chain-Assembly-Kayaks/dp/B0BP1XKN6Y/ref=sr_1_5?th=1

Just curious if anybody has tried these and, if so, are they any good?

Lightning kayaks pretty much copied and pasted the Hobie mirage drive and they have a better reputation that the other knock off brands. You can purchase replacement mirage parts directly from their website. Their turbo fins and turbo masts are pretty much the same as well

Holy crap, $45 for that little chain assembly, that’s wild. I make it a habit of really drenching any exposed metal parts in CorrossionX after a salt trip. Just rinsing with water isn’t enough. Found that out after seeing some rust spot on the exposed cable

I just noticed that the chains/cables on my GT drive need replacing ASAP. As with all Hobie parts, genuine Hobie versions are hard to find, and when available, seem to sell at a premium over the already-ridiculous Hobie price. I tried some knock-off versions (shipped from Singapore) a while back, and they were terrible--they fell apart after just a couple of uses. These look to be different:

https://www.amazon.com/Mirage-Drive-Chain-Assembly-Kayaks/dp/B0BP1XKN6Y/ref=sr_1_5?th=1

Just curious if anybody has tried these and, if so, are they any good?

What finally happened to your experiment with a twisted chain assembly to bypass the cable? I thought it a great idea.

Lightning kayaks pretty much copied and pasted the Hobie mirage drive and they have a better reputation that the other knock off brands. You can purchase replacement mirage parts directly from their website. Their turbo fins and turbo masts are pretty much the same as well

Anyone tried using replacement parts like the pulley cable or sprocket chain on their GT drive?

https://lightningkayaks.com/collections/hobie-v2-drive-replacement-parts

Looks like BP is selling passports and compasses only but no parts yet.

Sunjammers replaced their replacement Hobie turbo masts with the lightning turbo masts as it’s a direct fit.

Lightning kayaks pretty much copied and pasted the Hobie mirage drive and they have a better reputation that the other knock off brands. You can purchase replacement mirage parts directly from their website. Their turbo fins and turbo masts are pretty much the same as well

Anyone tried using replacement parts like the pulley cable or sprocket chain on their GT drive?

https://lightningkayaks.com/collections/hobie-v2-drive-replacement-parts

Looks like BP is selling passports and compasses only but no parts yet.

Thanks Cam.

I just noticed that the chains/cables on my GT drive need replacing ASAP. As with all Hobie parts, genuine Hobie versions are hard to find, and when available, seem to sell at a premium over the already-ridiculous Hobie price. I tried some knock-off versions (shipped from Singapore) a while back, and they were terrible--they fell apart after just a couple of uses. These look to be different:

https://www.amazon.com/Mirage-Drive-Chain-Assembly-Kayaks/dp/B0BP1XKN6Y/ref=sr_1_5?th=1

Just curious if anybody has tried these and, if so, are they any good?

What finally happened to your experiment with a twisted chain assembly to bypass the cable? I thought it a great idea.

Yes, I've still got that setup, but have been treating it as my backup propulsion system. Since it's indestructible, I figure that I'll never be without pedals. The reason I was not using it as my primary is because it has a couple of slightly annoying quirks. However, when I was previously testing it, it was the off season, so I have not really tried it on a full day outing. Maybe those minor things won't be much of an issue in ordinary use.

Anyways, I've now decided that I'll use my twisted chain version as my primary pedal system and see how it goes--mostly because I'm too cheap to pay $45 for <$5 with of chain and cable. After my next long day on the water, I'll post a report...

Lightning kayaks pretty much copied and pasted the Hobie mirage drive and they have a better reputation that the other knock off brands. You can purchase replacement mirage parts directly from their website. Their turbo fins and turbo masts are pretty much the same as well

Anyone tried using replacement parts like the pulley cable or sprocket chain on their GT drive?

https://lightningkayaks.com/collections/hobie-v2-drive-replacement-parts

Looks like BP is selling passports and compasses only but no parts yet.

It looks like they don't have turbo fins, which is a bummer, and the chains are expensive. The spine for $30 is a good deal, though, as those are hard to find...