[mrJB]

If you fish a lot, the drive will break, sometimes at inopportune times. I do washdown, lube, and maintenance after every outing. Within two years, here's how mine faired:

- warped spline (the backbone of the whole unit)
- cracked drum
- broken sprocket
- coroded and broken pedal crank arm

The warped spline may have some doing in the other failures, but the failures were well spaced apart. The other pedal crank arm is in perfect condition, no corosion or signs of fatigue. About the only part(s) that haven't failed are the drive and idler chains, no doubt due to constant maintenance and proper adjustment.

Ask around (in person) and see what percentage of owners have had problems. Check the Hobie site and see what others have experienced.

BTW, I don't punish the drive and don't often do surf launches. I do fish often, average about 2X a week which comes out roughly to 90 times a year. None of the above failures were covered under waranty.

There are some advantages and disadvantages to mirage drive kayaks. Do your own research and don't buy into some slick advertising.