Hobie Sport and breaking the Mirage Drive cables...

I have had my Hobie since January, and added Turbo fins in May.  Since then I have snapped 3 different stainless steel cables on the Hobie Mirage Drive, and one Turbo Mast. 

I have called my dealer and the Hobie reps, and the guys at Wind Toys.  From what I have been told, the turbo fins are adding stress to the cables because the drag on the Sport model is too much and the turbo fin "engine" is too big. 

It was suggested that I slowly build up speed before putting the power into the pedals, which makes sense. 

Has anyone (ChuckE, maybe you could answer this one) experienced these problems before?  How many hours should I expect from these cables?  Did I waste money buying Turbo Fins? 

Is the 2009 Mirage drive built better?

I fish a lot, but shelling out $50-$70 every three to five months is crazy. 

I want to stay with Hobie because it makes the type of fishing I do much easier.  But, if I can't solve these problems I may have to switch in the long run.

Bryan

Hey HB. Breaking cables and snapping masts doesn't sound normal. Sure the boyz at Hobie will conquer. Contact them directly and let them know what's up. I'm sure they'll take care of you.

Z

I broke a sprocket, where the mast is inserted, on a landing.  My dealer would not cover it under warranty.  I waited for a new sprocket for over a month.  I finally contacted Hobie directly and asked what was up.  The old set screw sprockets were being replaced with the newer, stronger, threaded models.  Hobie said it would be at least 2 weeks before production of the old model would be finished and shipped.

When I explained what happened to my old sprocket, and that my yak is an 08, Hobie replaced the sprocket under warranty with a new model.  I purchased another threaded model and swapped out both sprockets.  I also purchased a spare sprocket and spare masts for regular and turbo fins.

I definitely reccommend sending an email to Hobie Customer Service.  They respond promptly but require all transactions to involve the dealer.

Good luck

I have an 08 Adventure and inquired about turbo fins. A sales guy at a local dealership said he has seen a few mirage drives fail due to the stress of the turbo fins.

I've been using Hobie's Mirage Drives for over 5 years and the only problems I've encountered is (1) a bent fin mast from running into a submerged log which was easily bent back by hand and (2) a cable that needed to be adjusted to correct the timing and alignment of the fins.

Braking 3 cables in less than a year is very unusual and I would to Hobie's customer service about it.

Is the cable braking close the chain or the end of the cable?  Got pics?

ChuckE--the first cable broke right at the end of the cable (bottom right).  Last weekend, the chain assembly (top of picture) broke in the middle.  At the same time, the idler cable broke right down the middle.  I think one broke and put too much stress on the other and they both broke.

I called Hobie's warranty rep and he said they have had some cable problems.  I'm about an hour away from the shop I bought my Hobie from (Adventure Sports) and I have not had any time to get the yak up there for an inspection and warranty coverage.  I don't think they will cover the parts I already paid for to repair it.

I also e-mailed Hobie, but have not heard back from them yet.

Bryan

Wow HB, carnage!! Looks like you took that thing offroad! Have never seen damage like that on a MD. Sure Hobie will take care of you well.

Z

HB, did you ever hear back from Hobie?  I can't believe they would not take care of you.  I have heard nothing be good things about Hobie support.  Don't trust what a dealer tells you, contact Hobie directly if you don't get satisfaction!

HB,

Another thing to consider is using the ST fins instead of the turbos.  I have never tried the turbos but I like the ST fins on the Sport. They are still pretty fast but don't cause the extra stress.  But yes, Hobie needs to hear from you and address this; it sounds like it only applies to turbos on a Sport?  -HS

Nope.  I e-mailed them, but got no reply.  The sales rep/warranty person I spoke with on the phone was somewhat helpful, but non-committal.  I have to take it to a dealer.  All the dealers I spoke with said to take it back to the shop I purchased it from, but they are to far for me to drive to...

I installed the new cabels from Wind Toys myself.  They seeem snug and work without any more clicking sound.  The original idler cable was too loose, which may have been the problem.  I read some maintenance tips on-line that helped.

I would try the ST fins, but I am tapped out buying cables for the moment.  Thanks for the tip HobieSport.

Until then, I'm going to keep grinding those parts down and piercing fish lips.

See ya on the water.

HobieBlue

Nope.  I e-mailed them, but got no reply.

That's pretty lame  how hard is it to reply to an E-Mail   Oh we lost it Yeah right try that at work. Please keep us posted on Hobie's non response,

I'm sure Hobie will reply. I've only heard good things about their customer service so let's give them a sec. and see what happens. PM'n ya HB.

Z

so let's give them a sec.

Sorry Z but it's just a peeve of mine they have all ready had 2 weeks I think thats a little too long,especially to somebody like Bryan who has stayed good natured and given Hobie lots of Kudos. I've been thinking of buying one for the wife(yea right  ) but lack of response just sorta turns me off. Maybe they are doing some research but some kind of response would be nice.

I don't cruise all the forums, so Zeelander pointed out this topic for me.

[email protected] email is distributed to a variety of different people here depending on the issue. I would be very surprised if an email was received and not responded to, but problems in receiving, forwarding or whatever can happen. Even the reply from us can be hooked by someones spam filter. Email is not a perfect communication device.

That many cables and chain failures are quite unusual. Logical that the Turbo fins on the Sport... pedaled hard would be quite stressful. Also the idler cable being loose and allowing a slop and shock load to all cables is a likely reason for accelerated wear.

The cables look to be from an '07 or earlier drive... maybe early '08 at best. They are the older drum and cable style. Changes to the '08 system (V2) addressed most all of the stressed cable issues where cables fail due to a bend close to the hard end fitting. You can upgrade to "V2" drums, cables and the latest threaded sprockets and masts which now make up the toughest drive made yet.

Was the boat new? Did you get any of the cables on a warranty claim?

Thanks for the Reply Matt excuse the digs but they are effective,

Logical that the Turbo fins on the Sport... pedaled hard would be quite stressful.

Don't know much about the MDs but you would think a smaller lighter boat would have less stress on the drives, is it because the sport has more drag than the longer boats??