Woe is me!! Feel my pain!!

[russ498]

last week, Bassmoore, Surfdog and I spent a few hours on the Severn. I was reaching behind me for a tackle box, when I heard a crack. Several hours later I noticed that my yak was really slow and unstable. I looked inside and found 4" of the Severn River in my bilge.

once I made it back, I found a 3" crack on the top of the yak near the front seat stud, which is right next to a scupper hole. Every time I leaned or hit a wave, water squirted up the scupper and the into the hull via the crack.

Hobie says the crack can be repaired for free but did offer to replace the boat if I pay $375 prorated plus $175 shipping. I think I will take that deal if the replacement is a 2012 or 2013 with the new seat and steering controls.

I still have not decided if I am going to sell or not, but if I do, I will have a brand new boat to sell.

[HearadonCatch]

hmmm, a guy on facebook down in florida just posted about him having a cracked hull issue. He stated he had to pay a $75 freight fee, and he'll have a new one. I don't own a Hobie, so I'm not sure, but is the warranty done via the dealer or by Hobie directly?

[Mark]

Russ,

Did Hobie offer any explanation for the crack?

[Yak Fish]

When I cracked my hull, they offered a similar deal at the time. They took the old hull and I bid her farewell. They gave me the newest hull at the time.

[J.A. Veil]

Sorry about your hull cracks. I had major cracks in the seating well on my 2008 Native Manta Ray this time last year. My local dealer looked at the cracks, took photos, and sent them to Native on my behalf. A week later, Native agreed to give me a new 2012 hull at no cost. The new hull came with several upgraded features but I did not need to pay anything extra for them. You are welcome to share this story of dealer/manufacturer support with the Hobie folks.

I hope you get things sorted out with your kayak.

[docirv]

$550 for a pro angler that is still under the 2 year warranty!!! That is bulldung for sure!!! There product failed and should be replaced free!!!

[Mark]

Why would kayaks develop cracks in the seat well?

I can somewhat understand cracks in the Mirage Drive wells on Hobies due to the stresses exerted there. But what is happening in seat wells to cause cracks?

Is there anything we can do to prevent them?

[russ498]

$550 for a pro angler that is still under the 2 year warranty!!! That is bulldung for sure!!! There product failed and should be replaced free!!!

agreed. They did offer to fix it for free, but the warranty still ends at the end of two years.

[russ498]

Why would kayaks develop cracks in the seat well?

I can somewhat understand cracks in the Mirage Drive wells on Hobies due to the stresses exerted there. But what is happening in seat wells to cause cracks?

Is there anything we can do to prevent them?

i am a plus sized yakker. I think that I concentrated my weight to that one corner of the seat when I swiveled around. My fat @$$ versus plastic. Plastic loses.

[russ498]

$550 for a pro angler that is still under the 2 year warranty!!! That is bulldung for sure!!! There product failed and should be replaced free!!!

I am also sure that the $375 figure is not arbitrary. It is most likely their actual cost for the hull, minus the mirage drive and accessories that come with the package. The end result is that it costs them nada to "honor" the warranty.

[Mark]

Russ,

I'm no lightweight either.

My kayak has foam under the seat well. I assumed that was there to add strength and stability.

If not perhaps Jenny Craig has the real solution!

Good luck in getting your repaired yak or a replacement on the water fast.

[Goody]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. It's interesting how the warranty works. I would have thought that they would just replaced the hull for free under the warranty.

[donkey fish]

That sucks jackson just replaced my cuda after it got a crack in it and dident charge me a thing. Took less thn a weak for me to get the new one. I also got to keep the old hull after they had me drill holes in it.

[J.A. Veil]

One theory I have about cracks developing on kayaks is that a contributing cause is when we have either the bow or stern on land and the other end in the water, then get in or out of the kayak. There is nothing supporting the middle section of the kayak for those short periods, and moving our weight in and out may cause the hull to flex in ways in which it is not designed. After experiencing those cracks last year, I make an extra effort to avoid that type of propping situation. Instead, I try to have all or nearly all of the hull in the water as I get in and out.

[Mark]

John,

That's a good observation and advice.

It's also good that the big kayak manufacturers appearing willing to stand by their products either fully or to some degree.