Hobie Outback (2015-2018) CT Seat Fabric Replacement

[Jman]

I was wondering if anyone here has had experience replacing their 2015-2018 Outback CT seat fabric? I noticed a rip in the back section of mine a few months ago, which progressively got worse, so I ordered just the back section of fabric from a dealer. Seemed straight forward to replace it and the dealer said the same. It was easy to get the metal rod that the fabric sleeve goes through back into place on one side, but then I can't get one end of the other side in. I am afraid that I may end up ripping the new fabric trying to get the rod in place.

Thanks for the suggestions.
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[J.A. Veil]

I don't own any Hobie kayaks so I cannot comment directly on your question, but I did face a similar situation with a Native seat. Last November I ordered a new Native Manta Ray 12 XT kayak to be shipped to a Native dealer in the Tampa region. I planned to store that kayak at my guide's house and use it when I fished with him. The Manta Ray 12 XT uses the same seat frame as the more expensive models with upright seating, but the cover is unpadded. To improve comfort, I ordered the padded cover to replace the standard one. I assumed the factory would ship the seat with the padded cover already installed. To my surprise, the kayak came with the unpadded cover installed and a second box holding the padded cover.

I visited the kayak shop and asked Sam, another Native Pro Staff team member who worked there, to help me install the padded cover. Both of us were surprised at how difficult it was to stretch the cover over the frame and get all screws/bolts to line up. Sam had to push, pull, and pry the frame to get the cover to fit fully on the frame. I suspect that seat covers are designed to fit snugly on the frame. If you are unable or unwilling to stress the fabric or frame to install it yourself, it may make sense to take it to a Hobie dealer and let them do the installation.

[Jman]

I don't own any Hobie kayaks so I cannot comment directly on your question, but I did face a similar situation with a Native seat. Last November I ordered a new Native Manta Ray 12 XT kayak to be shipped to a Native dealer in the Tampa region. I planned to store that kayak at my guide's house and use it when I fished with him. The Manta Ray 12 XT uses the same seat frame as the more expensive models with upright seating, but the cover is unpadded. To improve comfort, I ordered the padded cover to replace the standard one. I assumed the factory would ship the seat with the padded cover already installed. To my surprise, the kayak came with the unpadded cover installed and a second box holding the padded cover.

I visited the kayak shop and asked Sam, another Native Pro Staff team member who worked there, to help me install the padded cover. Both of us were surprised at how difficult it was to stretch the cover over the frame and get all screws/bolts to line up. Sam had to push, pull, and pry the frame to get the cover to fit fully on the frame. I suspect that seat covers are designed to fit snugly on the frame. If you are unable or unwilling to stress the fabric or frame to install it yourself, it may make sense to take it to a Hobie dealer and let them do the installation.

Thanks John, I am close to the point of bringing it in. I too am amazed by how difficult it is to stretch. The seat has two metal rods on each side that thread through and I can get three of the four rods in their respective grooves. Haven't been able to find anything on Youtube University or other forums on it. Little disappointed to have it rip, I'm 100 Lbs under the weight limit.

[silasvirus82]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdN0...ndex=85&t=302s

I've done my back, probably need to do the seat in a year or two. I wish the YouTube search function found more of this type of stuff. I called my dealer and they sent me the link to this.

[Jman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdN0...ndex=85&t=302s

I've done my back, probably need to do the seat in a year or two. I wish the YouTube search function found more of this type of stuff. I called my dealer and they sent me the link to this.

This video was exactly what I was looking for - thank you! Can't figure out why that video wasn't popping up when I was searching (even across forums). I kept seeing videos from bloggers that weren't relevant or the pre-2015 Outback modified seats. I was able to finish putting it back together this evening and the back feels much better.

[silasvirus82]

Can't figure out why that video wasn't popping up when I was searching (even across forums). I kept seeing videos from bloggers that weren't relevant or the pre-2015 Outback modified seats. I was able to finish putting it back together this evening and the back feels much better.

That video is an "unlisted" video which means only people with a link can find it. No idea why Hobie would not make that searchable. Glad I could help!

The only reason I had to replace my mesh back was my seat flew off my truck going down the highway like the second week I owned the boat, and it had some serious road rash. It was even run over by a truck pulling a trailer and kicked off the road, amazing that's all that was wrong with it. Over time a small tear turned into a large tear and I finally decided to fix it. Well engineered seats to say the least.

[Mark]

The only reason I had to replace my mesh back was my seat flew off my truck going down the highway like the second week I owned the boat, and it had some serious road rash. It was even run over by a truck pulling a trailer and kicked off the road, amazing that's all that was wrong with it.

John,

That's what I call a road test in the extreme!

You're fortunate that you didn't have to buy a new seat.