Looking for the Leak

[clm]

I bought my outback from a local rental place. I've noticed after a few hours on the water I get water inside. Not enough to really concern me, but if it gets worse as time goes on... Thanks to tons of info here,,I'm set up to try and find the leak this weekend. Loosely taped some cardboard over the front hatch and opened the rear drain plug. I will flip it over this weekend and with the help of some soapy water I will find a hopefully repair able crack\leak. I thought at first it was waves coming over the bow and in through the hatch seal. After this past weekend outing on wheately lake I know that isn't it. I had about a gallon inside after 3 hours. It isn't pretty, but it works.

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[kevinfry]

looks good but make sure there is not too much pressure or the soap film may burst before bubble is visible. I'd set a hair drier about 6-8 inches away from the end of the hose and run it on low. if you find no leak try moving the drier closer and farther away from the end of the hose or cut a big hole in that cardboard.

[Cowpokey]

Fill it up (inside the hull) to the water line and see if you can find a wet spot..i.e. leak from the inside to the outside. Might not be the best (or approved) way, but that's what I'd do.

[Cowpokey]

Where's the drain plug? Is it above the waterline when you're on the water? What other "things" (holes) could be letting water get inside the hull when you're on the water? I don't have a Hobie yet, sometime soon though.

My whitewater boat (Dagger Outlaw) gets some water in the hull, but I "think" that's from rolling, and water getting through the skirt.

[plastic boat]

I also would use a shop vac to fill it with air and use soapy water to find the leak. that is what some dealers do
Here is a video of a dent repair on a Hobie with air and hot water you can use the same "air" technique to find the leak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpuIJzMotDg
You can fill it with water but water is heavy 8 lbs for every gallon it could take quite a bit of water to fill up to where the crack is located. if you use water make sure what ever is supporting the kayak with can hold the weight.

[Cowpokey]

I also would use a shop vac to fill it with air and use soapy water to find the leak. that is what some dealers do
Here is a video of a dent repair on a Hobie with air and hot water you can use the same "air" technique to find the leak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpuIJzMotDg
You can fill it with water but water is heavy 8 lbs for every gallon it could take quite a bit of water to fill up to where the crack is located. if you use water make sure what ever is supporting the kayak with can hold the weight.

Forced air via shopvac or some such similar thing would be better with soapy water to look for bubbles...if you don't have a "forced air" option, the next best (easiest) option is filling it with water.

Plastic hulls are tougher then most people give them credit for, it's not going to explode from the weight of filling it with water.

[J.A. Veil]

I successfully diagnosed a leak several years ago by setting the kayak up on two sturdy supports, then filling it halfway with water. The leak was surprisingly small (a hairline crack along a scupper) but it allowed several gallons per trip to accumulate in the hull. I smeared Goop around the hairline crack and solved the problem.

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[clm]

Thanks guys. I plan on using a shop vac to blow air into it. I can open/close the drain plug and 2 other hatches to increase or reduce the pressure. If this doesn't work then I will try adding water inside.

[clm]

The drain plug is higher than I thought. It is above the water line and the oring appears to be in good shape

Where's the drain plug? Is it above the waterline when you're on the water? What other "things" (holes) could be letting water get inside the hull when you're on the water? I don't have a Hobie yet, sometime soon though.

My whitewater boat (Dagger Outlaw) gets some water in the hull, but I "think" that's from rolling, and water getting through the skirt.

[clm]

Thank you for the pics. I'm hoping that all I have is a small issue like that, and it is easily patched over. Once I find out where the issue is, then I will decide on how to address it. Goop, hot iron, epoxy etc....

I successfully diagnosed a leak several years ago by setting the kayak up on two sturdy supports, then filling it halfway with water. The leak was surprisingly small (a hairline crack along a scupper) but it allowed several gallons per trip to accumulate in the hull. I smeared Goop around the hairline crack and solved the problem.

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[Yak Fish]

What year is the kayak? If it's an earlier hobie, maybe 2008 or sooner, it may be a drive well crack. I had one of those. Backyard Boats helped me get a new hull for $400 because it was a failure.
I filled mine with water to find the leak. If there's not a good amount of pressure on the affected area, you may not see a leak.

[clm]

Is the year of manufacture in the serial number? I believe mine starts with 09.

What year is the kayak? If it's an earlier hobie, maybe 2008 or sooner, it may be a drive well crack. I had one of those. Backyard Boats helped me get a new hull for $400 because it was a failure.
I filled mine with water to find the leak. If there's not a good amount of pressure on the affected area, you may not see a leak.

[Yak Fish]

Is the year of manufacture in the serial number? I believe mine starts with 09.

I believe it's the last two digits. Mine is a 2011 and the serial number ends in 11

[clm]

Thanks. I will check when I get home.

[clm]

Serial number ends in 09. I did the soapy water test. No leaks found that way. I checked the drain plug. When it wasn't tight, it bubbled. Could have been the culprit and I never fully got it empty from going out in rough waters last time. The chop was breaking over the bow and I know front hatch gasket is bad and there was a hole in it. I completely dried the inside with paper towels. I will snug the drain plug and check again on my next outing. I checked the area where the drive drops in from both sides. Nothing. Same for the scupper holes. I'm hoping it was just inattentiveness and inexperience. I will keep checking on it to be sure. Not real keen on unplanned swimming trips.