Hobie drive durability? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

-scallywag- · 06-29-2012, 01:29 PM

i think where you fish and what your targeting is gonna have a big impact also....surf launches r sometimes tough on the drives with the sand and occasional ugly landing.

If your targeting YT that swim 30mph and love ripping current, I'm guessing your going to be pushing pretty hard on the peddles at times...like when there r foamers just outta range or just trying to get home with an extra 30lb on deck in the ripping current and afternoon wind on it. Generally a 8-10hr day of chasing YT is a 20-30mi ordeal.

I havn't fished butts in the bay in a while but if remember right it wasnt that demanding.

Bottom Line - The newest versions of the mirage drives are about as close to "bullet-proof" as you could hope for. Most users will have YEARS of trouble free service from their mirage drives, plus parts are cheap and service/support is awsome....cant go wrong with a brand new hobie!!

mrJB · 06-30-2012, 03:28 PM

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.

06-30-2012, 03:28 PM	#2
mrJB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: O.C. Posts: 352	Mirage Mistique 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. __________________ "I Brake for Halibut"

06-29-2012, 01:29 PM	#1
-scallywag- Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: on the road... Posts: 598	i think where you fish and what your targeting is gonna have a big impact also....surf launches r sometimes tough on the drives with the sand and occasional ugly landing. If your targeting YT that swim 30mph and love ripping current, I'm guessing your going to be pushing pretty hard on the peddles at times...like when there r foamers just outta range or just trying to get home with an extra 30lb on deck in the ripping current and afternoon wind on it. Generally a 8-10hr day of chasing YT is a 20-30mi ordeal. I havn't fished butts in the bay in a while but if remember right it wasnt that demanding. Bottom Line - The newest versions of the mirage drives are about as close to "bullet-proof" as you could hope for. Most users will have YEARS of trouble free service from their mirage drives, plus parts are cheap and service/support is awsome....cant go wrong with a brand new hobie!!