Kayaking, in general, has seen a boom in popularity, especially during COVID-19 when people were anxious to be outdoors but not around many people. With this boom in kayakers, it was only natural that kayak fishing would experience a similar increase in popularity. However, anglers who benefit from an easy way to get on the water and the ability to access skinny water wanted something more — an easier way to maintain position while fishing. This led to many companies offering pedal drives that allow hands-free maneuvering and the ability to keep your position when the bite is on more readily.

Now, many kayak anglers are finding that their very expensive pedal drives, which they depend on so often, are failing far sooner than they expected. Why? Because they did not realize that this combination of gears and drives requires a little more maintenance than the Huffy, they rode around the block as kids.

Although most quality pedal drives are sealed and even saltwater ready, this does not mean they are maintenance-free. To get the most out of your kayak’s drive system, here are a few tips and tricks you should follow.

Rinse the drive with fresh water after every use. Even if the unit is sealed, this will prevent corrosion or debris buildup on external moving parts. Gently rinsing a garden hose is better than blasting with the pressure washer, as the latter may push dirt and debris into any gaps, causing potential damage to otherwise protected internal parts.

Remove and inspect the propeller, especially after use in thick weeds and when a serious collision or grounding occurs. This will allow you to inspect for damage, clean the propeller shaft, and remove weeds, debris, or fishing lines that may have become tangled.

Inspect the prop pin. This pin is designed to sheer during a heavy impact, sacrificing itself rather than allowing damage to the lower unit.

Make sure everything is tight. Almost any moving part is subject to working its way loose, and according to Murphy’s Law, it will happen at the most inopportune time. Check the pedals, propeller, crank arms, and other moving pieces your drive may include. Tighten everything. Some parts may allow the use of Loc Tite. If so, only use the blue style, which is designed to remove without heat or heavy-duty tools.

Store your drive unit in a dry location protected from freezing temperatures.

Finally, it is important to disassemble and grease the internal gears regularly. Although opinions vary as to how often this should be done, most experts agree that every 75 hours, or a minimum of once per season, should suffice.

When lubricating your pedal drive, whether a few drops to keep a pedal spinning or a complete bore internal greasing, it is essential to remember this is not the time or place for petroleum-based products. The original pedal drive manufacturer Hobie recommends Sailkote High-Performance Dry Lubricant. Most manufacturers or propeller drive units recommend Finish Line Teflon Grease. Regardless of which you select, having a non-petroleum-based lubricant will reduce the likelihood of debris sticking to moving parts or harmful sludge forming.

With the proper maintenance, your pedal drive can keep you on the water and fishing for many seasons to come.