Try going seat-less (Adventure)

Hi Mirage Kayakers!

This is my first post here. In the 70s and 80s I raced Hobie Cats. (The more things change, the more they remain the same, someone said.)

I read that there is some frustration with the seat popping out of the two post holes in the newer Adventures. I’ve tried several fixes, including electrical tape, friction tape and simply trying to Velcro the seat down. None of these worked for me as well as my last idea: I went without my seat. It was great! No chaffing, no sore back. I sat about an inch lower and cruised comfortably at an average speed of 4mph (per GPS and 4-mile trip to 2-mile buoy and back off of Dana Point). I don’t recommend this (seat-less mode) for someone just starting out, but after more than a half-dozen rides—including one 10-miler to the San Clemente Pier and back, I felt that I just had to try this new yak without the darn seat that was slopping around too much. Another benefit of going seat-less is your rig will be 3 pounds lighter! (If you think that’s insignificant—try adding three pounds on your next excursion.)

A few other modifications that I’ve made:

1. I’ve added two “Tâ€

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Hi Rock,

Nice 1st write-up!

I heard the surf was huge this morning (12-5-07). I have never taken my kayak out in swells over 6 feet. It's nice to hear that the Adventure pedals great without the straps in huge winter swells. I might have to take off my straps, too.

I'm frustrated with my seat as well; it seams to come out of the holes. I read that some people just glue them in and leave it on the yak. I'll try it without the seat next time. It not only saves 3 pounds, but it also saves me time to wash my seat after every kayak outing.

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Kirk

P.S. This is really good advice, Rock. I'm looking forward to your next post.


[quote="ROCK KENDALL"]Hi Mirage Kayakers!

This is my first post here. In the 70s and 80s I raced Hobie Cats. (The more things change, the more they remain the same, someone said.)

I read that there is some frustration with the seat popping out of the two post holes in the newer Adventures. I’ve tried several fixes, including electrical tape, friction tape and simply trying to Velcro the seat down. None of these worked for me as well as my last idea: I went without my seat. It was great! No chaffing, no sore back. I sat about an inch lower and cruised comfortably at an average speed of 4mph (per GPS and 4-mile trip to 2-mile buoy and back off of Dana Point). I don’t recommend this (seat-less mode) for someone just starting out, but after more than a half-dozen rides—including one 10-miler to the San Clemente Pier and back, I felt that I just had to try this new yak without the darn seat that was slopping around too much. Another benefit of going seat-less is your rig will be 3 pounds lighter! (If you think that’s insignificant—try adding three pounds on your next excursion.)

A few other modifications that I’ve made:

1. I’ve added two “Tâ€

Thanks Kirk!

The only thing I forgot was to not store the kayak with the large (sailing) rudder strapped down with the bungee cord. At least on my Hobie Adventure my new rudder took on a warp that way. Fortunately, by storing it without the strap pinning it to the stern, the warp went away and it is now straight as new.

_________________
Rock Kendall
[email protected]
www.dmv-law.com

Surprised to hear that after all the possible "fixes" it would still pop out. I actually have a hard time pulling them out of the holes when properly seated. Have you guys tried tapping the pegs into the holes with something? Next best is to rough up the plastic in the hull and on the pegs. Then the tape shim idea. Sounds odd to me that they would come out after all that.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Matt I agree, we go to pull a seat off to show a customer and it's all we have not to lift the yak of the stands. We leave them on the demo's on the trailer because they are so hard to get on and off. We do take the handle of a screw driver and tap them in place when we unwrap from the factory.

_________________
Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
www.facebook.com/sunjammers

"Have you guys tried tapping the pegs into the holes with something?"

Yes. Velcro too. In fact I was ready to put stainless steel hose clamps on the holes from below the hatch, and just leave the seat permanently mounted there. (I keep it at the Harbor at Tim Boyer's Dana Point Jet Ski and Kayak Center.) But that was before I found out that I don't need the seat. The plastic seating area (without the black seat) is a better fit--for me, at least. I like being lower, especially yesterday (12-5-07 WEDNESDAY). And I'm three pounds lighter--before getting wet. And I don't have to mess with the seat after sailing. All I'm suggesting is that for those of us who are having problems keeping our seat in place, try going seat-less. I did. I won't go back to using it. It falls out way to easy on my yak.

By the way, the service is great at Tim's place.

_________________
Rock Kendall
[email protected]
www.dmv-law.com

Hi Rock and welcome to the forum. Thanks for sharing your excellent ideas.

I like to secure the rudder with just one of the bungee straps -- easier on the bungee, no problem with the rudder and it stays in place during transport:


Fortunately, all of my seats stay in place when tapped in and like sunjammers, they are left in place permanently. I need the full support of the high back, like the cushy bottom and use the pouch to stow my keys. Going seatless though, would make it easier to scoot around the cockpit when sailing (without scrunching up the seat bottom). Glad you're happy with your arrangement!

While I have not had any problems with the seat on my Adventure (it stays put like its supposed to), I have forgotten to load the seat in the car on a couple of occasions.

The big advantage I found to going seatless was the lower center of gravity relative to the waterline. It makes a surprisingly large difference in stability for such a small change in height.

I've considered trying just using a back band, since my hands are too busy fishing to pull myself forward.

If you're talking about a back rest, that's pretty easy if you have the current model seat.

1. unscrew the posts

2. lift the seat bottom off the Velcro

3. replace the posts.




Voila, a bottomless seat. Remember to tap it in!

I had the same problem with the seat in my AI coming lose and solved it in the following way. Unscrew the plugs from the seat. Pound them into their female parts with a rubber hammer. Screw the seat back to the now well secured plugs and you'll not have any more problems. The only disadvantage is that one can't easily remove the seat without unscrewing it. Still, this is better than having the seat come dislodged during while sailing.

Went without the seat today. Ahhh, no slipping, better back support, less weight, lower profile, and center of gravity. A great idea. Thanks for the tip.

_________________
Polecat
------------------
Hobie AI & WS Tempest 180 Pro
SW Gulf Coast: Sarasota to Keys

I'm not completely useless. I can always serve as a bad example.

My Revo seat is always twisting out and man is it hard to position properly when you are on it and trying to sail as well.
I wonder if the "no-seat" idea would work for me.

_________________
Fair Skies, Max.

I have two Adventure Island and have had the seats come out several times. I've tried poinding them in with a rubber mallet, to no avail.

I thought it could be due to temperature but they come out sometimes in warm weather, and sometimes in cold. And sometimes the seat just stays in. I'll try roughing up the posts next.

I'm tempted to just glue them in place, but I hesitate to make it permanent.

What is that rubber thingy attached to your Adventure rudder tip? Is that a sailing rudder turbo tip? I have never seen one of those things attached to the rudder? Does it work or is it just for rudder protection?

G'Day KB,
At the end of RR's rudder is a winglet. Find out all about here:
http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=8156