Mirage Drive Fixed - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

bubbacee7 · 06-09-2019, 07:15 PM

F’nsabaki & Mr. Nice Guy,

My cable that is attached to the drive train broke. After 8 years it finally snapped. I thought about buying the replacement parts on Amazon but it was the same price at Fastlane where you can always count on getting great support. I looked at the other chain and it was obviously wearing so was the idler so I decided to replace all three. I am keeping the other two pieces as spares.

Take a picture of all parts as they are currently attached to your drive. I wish I had labeled each cable with a marker prior to removing. Really who looks at it closely anyway until after it breaks.

I used a 7/16 box wrench which was the easiest to use to loosen/tighten nuts. It is easier to take fins off first. Make sure you pedals are lined up in a position where your fins are straight down. When putting on my parts I learned through trial and error to place on all cables first without tightening. Idler cable last and outside the chain cables. Once all cables are on properly then put the nuts on all 6 ends. Hand tighten all 6 to start. Check to make sure none of the cables have slipped out of place and then tighten all nuts. Take this opportunity to bend fin posts back into original shape then return fins.

Spare parts and tools are a must. Paddling in from the end of the Jetty is not fun. Really missed my pedal drive. Fishinmike helped too as he towed me across the channel.

The lower range marker is on the north point of Shelter Island. The fog horn and light is located here. It’s also about where the boats slow down to 5mph prior to entering the Shelter Island Yacht Basin.

Hope this helps.

Iceman · 06-10-2019, 08:28 AM

You definitely should familiarize yourself with changing the chains and idler cable. Anticipate breaking one in the first 2-3 years of regular use, longer if regularly checked for proper tension.

deptrai · 06-10-2019, 06:34 PM

Definitely easier to attach the idler cable last.

DanaPT · 06-11-2019, 05:20 AM

I replaced a drive chain on the water. Man is that tough. Drifting with the wind, head down trying to line crap up, bobbing with every bump on the surface. After 10 15 minutes I fixed it but was a bit sea sick. I always carry extra parts.

deptrai · 06-13-2019, 06:42 PM

In my case a couple weeks ago, a nylock nut came off the drive. F'd up everything. I was dead in the water and drifting over a reef with breakers. If I hadn't of had a friend nearby, I would have called the CG.

The drive was stuck and wouldn't come out even if I did have spare parts & tools. Only after I got back to shore was I able to remove it by using my fingers to simultaneously push back the locking fingers on both sides.

bubbacee7 · 06-20-2019, 08:30 PM

That’s why a fishing partner is so important.

06-10-2019, 08:28 AM	#2
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	You definitely should familiarize yourself with changing the chains and idler cable. Anticipate breaking one in the first 2-3 years of regular use, longer if regularly checked for proper tension. __________________

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06-09-2019, 07:15 PM	#1
bubbacee7 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 115	F’nsabaki & Mr. Nice Guy, My cable that is attached to the drive train broke. After 8 years it finally snapped. I thought about buying the replacement parts on Amazon but it was the same price at Fastlane where you can always count on getting great support. I looked at the other chain and it was obviously wearing so was the idler so I decided to replace all three. I am keeping the other two pieces as spares. Take a picture of all parts as they are currently attached to your drive. I wish I had labeled each cable with a marker prior to removing. Really who looks at it closely anyway until after it breaks. I used a 7/16 box wrench which was the easiest to use to loosen/tighten nuts. It is easier to take fins off first. Make sure you pedals are lined up in a position where your fins are straight down. When putting on my parts I learned through trial and error to place on all cables first without tightening. Idler cable last and outside the chain cables. Once all cables are on properly then put the nuts on all 6 ends. Hand tighten all 6 to start. Check to make sure none of the cables have slipped out of place and then tighten all nuts. Take this opportunity to bend fin posts back into original shape then return fins. Spare parts and tools are a must. Paddling in from the end of the Jetty is not fun. Really missed my pedal drive. Fishinmike helped too as he towed me across the channel. The lower range marker is on the north point of Shelter Island. The fog horn and light is located here. It’s also about where the boats slow down to 5mph prior to entering the Shelter Island Yacht Basin. Hope this helps.

06-10-2019, 06:34 PM	#3
deptrai Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 54	Definitely easier to attach the idler cable last.

06-11-2019, 05:20 AM	#4
DanaPT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South OC Posts: 1,606	I replaced a drive chain on the water. Man is that tough. Drifting with the wind, head down trying to line crap up, bobbing with every bump on the surface. After 10 15 minutes I fixed it but was a bit sea sick. I always carry extra parts.

06-13-2019, 06:42 PM	#5
deptrai Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 54	In my case a couple weeks ago, a nylock nut came off the drive. F'd up everything. I was dead in the water and drifting over a reef with breakers. If I hadn't of had a friend nearby, I would have called the CG. The drive was stuck and wouldn't come out even if I did have spare parts & tools. Only after I got back to shore was I able to remove it by using my fingers to simultaneously push back the locking fingers on both sides.

06-20-2019, 08:30 PM	#6
bubbacee7 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 115	That’s why a fishing partner is so important.