It's important to distinguish between product improvement and defective product. Hobie makes running improvements all the time. Whereas we'd all like to know about them ASAP, there are a couple of problems this creates.
1. Dealers need advanced notice to clear old inventory and order new parts / get training so they can actually have the new product available when the customer comes in for it.
2. Customers who bought their boats immediately before an improvement often ate unhappy about their situation all of a sudden because they didn't get the "latest greatest" version of that product.
So there can be more bad feelings, confusion and discontent if Hobie were to publicly announce improvements sooner than later. The point is that sometimes there are reasons and considerations that influence policies that we may not be aware of.
Defects are a different matter. The 2015 seat fastener is clearly NOT one of them and shouldn't be confused with consequences of customers not properly securing their gear. If Hobie makes an improvement and decides to make it available to previous owners at no charge (which is occasionally done as a matter of good will), that doesn't render the former product defective, poorly engineered, deficient or subject to recall. The 2015 "eyelet and clasp" is perfectly secure as long as the user snaps it in place. The only problem is, some users may be ignorant that it has to be snapped into place rather than merely looping the clasp over the eyelet. The owners manual goes over this in detail and specifically cautions about the importance of securing this to prevent the possibility of having the seat fall out. Additionally, Hobie has made a video (readily available on the Hobie web sight) showing how to properly install the seat using this clasp, again with a caution about the dangers of not securing the seat. Searching the forum also yields buckets full of advice on such matters and the consequences about failing to heed the advice. IMO, dealers also have some responsibility to go over the various systems and check out customers on their boats. Customers who bypass this benefit through mail order do so at their own risk.
The 2016 buckle seat retention has two advantages:
1. it is harder to screw up since it is more familiar to more users who don't bother to read their manuals.
2. The length if this piece is critical and the pre-made strap version eliminates an assembly step to improve the production process. This has no bearing on customers.
The down side is that the buckle is more difficult to secure one handed and still needs to be snapped into place just like the older version. Without testing it, users can get a false sense of security about the connection.So it's still not as "idiot proof" as riveting the seat to the boat.
Hobie rarely issues a "recall". The closest thing to that I recall was in 2006 when some models needed a drivewell reinforcement kit after Turbofins came out. That's a pretty good track record. On occasional defective parts, Hobie is quick and generous in dealing with this on an as-needed basis under their warranty procedures (again through the local dealer).
On a final note, the forum is a great place to ask a question, share an idea, solve a problem, clarify a process, bring up an issue that somehow gets overlooked elsewhere or just let off steam. Many of Hobie's improvements in products and procedures have come about through the forum. For those who choose to take advantage of it, an outstanding resource. Thanks Hobie!
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