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For those of you that own pre-2009 Hobie Mirage Drive yaks, I strongly advise upgrading the sprockets to V2 sprockets. The V2's have a molded-in brass insert that the sail mast is threaded into. A dab of Locktite applied to it makes it nearly impossible to loosen so you won't have a sail mast separation failure of the drive. The V2 sprockets (part number 81129001) run about $15 each ($5 more than a V1). Additionally, you'll need a V2 sail mast for each sprocket (standard fin: 81163001, ST Turbo: 81198101) and IIRC, they're $10 each. I believe the upgrade kits are $50 (standard fin kit: 81129022, ST Turbo kit: 81129122).
I had a mast separation failure a couple of weeks ago and had to perform an impromptu on-the-water repair. It wasn't fun, and after the trip, the sprocket needed replacement as the mast hole wallowed out (due to me not having a 1/8" inch allen wrench to tighten the set screw and had to use needlenose pliers).
Backyard Boats in either Annapolis or Woodbridge has parts and will probably do the work for ya if you ask nicely. Travis at the Woodbridge store took my old V1 ST Turbo masts back as a return (he sold me the ST Turbo fins a couple of weeks ago) and only charged me the cost of the replacement sprockets.
Additionally, I would strongly suggest carrying a couple of spare clevis pins (8020041, about $1) and lock rings (10860001, about $0.50) in your spare parts kit, along with a pair of needle nose Vise Grips (model 6LN), a 7/16" wrench, and a 1/8" allen wrench. With these tools, you will be able to perform 99% of the maintenance on a Mirage Drive, as well do any emergency repair necessary. I believe all of this will fit in a Pelican 1030 dry box (will confirm after I get my 1030).
I had a mast separation failure a couple of weeks ago and had to perform an impromptu on-the-water repair. It wasn't fun, and after the trip, the sprocket needed replacement as the mast hole wallowed out (due to me not having a 1/8" inch allen wrench to tighten the set screw and had to use needlenose pliers).
Backyard Boats in either Annapolis or Woodbridge has parts and will probably do the work for ya if you ask nicely. Travis at the Woodbridge store took my old V1 ST Turbo masts back as a return (he sold me the ST Turbo fins a couple of weeks ago) and only charged me the cost of the replacement sprockets.
Additionally, I would strongly suggest carrying a couple of spare clevis pins (8020041, about $1) and lock rings (10860001, about $0.50) in your spare parts kit, along with a pair of needle nose Vise Grips (model 6LN), a 7/16" wrench, and a 1/8" allen wrench. With these tools, you will be able to perform 99% of the maintenance on a Mirage Drive, as well do any emergency repair necessary. I believe all of this will fit in a Pelican 1030 dry box (will confirm after I get my 1030).
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