Really uncomfortable seats?

Is it just me, or are the flimsy little seats ridiculously uncomfortable to anyone else? I don't have the manual cause Hobie didn't send me one, but I stuck the flimsy seat's two little nubs in the top two holes in the seat area and I can't see any other way I should have done it. But you cannot sit back, the whole seat just folds over and you will wind up laying flat. I had to put my arms behind the seat on the top of the kayak to support myself the whole time I test drove mine. You have to sit upright with absolutely no back support the whole time. The manual at http://2010.archive.hobiecat.com/support/pdfs/Tandem_Island_Manual.pdf says nothing about the seats. So am I doing something wrong, or did they make the seats as flimsy as I think? Or is there something else I am missing as well as all the other stuff they didn't send? I was in pain after riding that thing for 20 minutes today. Why have I seen no one else talking about the miserable ride these seats provide? There is also no mention in the manual at http://2010.archive.hobiecat.com/support/pdfs/Tandem_Island_Manual.pdf about how to adjust the pedals. Anyone got this info?

Madwand:
If you look at the picture on page 3 of the manual you can see the seats in their correct position. At least on mine (an older model TI) you press the two nubs into the rearmost holes, to make sure the nubs stay in you tighten up the wing nuts to hold the seat in tight (don't over tighten though, damage to the holes can occur). Next clip the side straps to the eyelets next to the seats ( I'm thinking you may have missed that step from your description). The seats are actually quite comfortable, and also have the grey lumbar support pillow which is adjustable (you can fill it with more or less air to suit your comfort level). Pretty much all Hobie Kayaks have the same seat system (not unique to AI/TI), and it's been around for a long time (probably why they don't mention it specifically in the manual), this type of seating is pretty common on most brands of kayaks. The seat bottoms are a little hard, I quite often sail for many hours on the weekends (30-40 miles typical) and sometimes sit on an extra life jacket that I always carry. I also have the trampoline option (highly recommended) and often lay out on the tramps while sailing (very comfortable). By hiking out on the tramps on the windward side you can usually go faster (kind of like they do on a regular Hobie cat). I made a little stick with a rope on it for steering when I'm on the right tramp. I also recommend you get the steering knob option (available in accessory catalog), it makes it alot easier to steer. You will find without it your steering hand can get very tired.

Hobie does sell in their accessory catalog an additional air filled seat cushion pad haven't tried it though.

I read on some of your other posts about the missing parts. When I got my original boat all the extra parts were inside the hull (battons, instructions, extra parts,etc), and probably are still in your original hull probably sitting in the shippers back lot somewhere. I doubt Hobie would ever get it back, I'm sure the shippers insurance took care of the situation and quickly ordered and paid for the replacement hull from Hobie cat and had it shipped to you as quickly as possible.

When I got my replacement hull (after damaging the original hull) none of the extra parts or AKA support bars were included with the replacement hull (assuming the owner already has all that stuff already), this is probably Hobie standard procedure. Hopefully Hobie will re-connect you with the correct parts very quickly. They really are a great bunch to work with, and are the best in the business.

BTW I never even opened or looked at the manual when I got my boat, I was so excited to get it on the water I just threw it all together and figured it out as I went, thats part of the fun in my opinion. I suspect most owners do like I did (it's a guy thing I think). The first time I ever read the manual was when you posted it, it's actually well written and very informative.
Hope this helps.
Bob

I had no idea. No wonder the seat wouldn't stay in place. How did you figure that out without reading the manual? I can't imagine that being intuitive to anyone.

Wow, I clipped them to the padeyes behind the seat and the whole time, I was thinking, "What is that for? It does nothing! Must be for retention." Now I see they make diagonal bracing, which is what I was missing.

I've never been in a kayak. I'm a sailor.

Yep, got both of those. Can you address the steering question I posted?

Got it as well. Can you believe an air cushion for $42 each X 2?

Yes, I'm sure they are, but in this case, they knew this was a replacement hull for a damaged one that was refused by me. Hobie knew this. Matt Miller knew this. They even concocted some story about a forklift piercing the hull. They knew I did not keep any parts off the hull. They knew this was a rush replacement because it's now been a month since I ordered my boat. Knowing all of that, what would you have done?

I really wanted to make sure that I did everything right because I've spent $6000 on this thing and accessories and didn't want to mess anything up.

Thanks for the reply, that clears up the seat problem!

I recommend the "I-Comfort' Inflatable seat cushions (Part #72020028). They are fairly expensive but well worth it. They are self inflatable and Velcro anchor to the regular seat. I had one on my AI and bought two when I switched over to the TI. The amount of inflation is adjustable for how much softness you want.
They make a big difference if you are sailing for any length of time.

Yes, those are the ones I said I got for $42 dollars each in my last post. Amazing that a cushion can cost that much.

Ok, just got home and cranking on the knobs inside the seat does absolutely nothing. The nubs have a little tab on them, but they are going in a smooth hole, so nothing at all happens when you twist the handles inside the velcro. There are no wingnuts, but there are little handles that turn. Nothing happens. I did attach the snaps to the padeyes, so you do get back support, but there is nothing that keeps the seat from moving around or out of the little holes the nubs fit in. The back support will probably help, but I do not like that the seat is not locked in place.

I only have one gripe with my TI - the situation your are describing as far as the seat plug setup.

Mine came completely non functioning - they too will only spin in the hole.

I am very surprised that your are only the second person I have seen here talking about this problem.

Is your boat one of the last made for the 2011 model year as mine is by any chance? Due to the lack of complaints, I am wondering if something was changed at the end of the 2011 run that is causing this.

@Matt - I am very disappointed to see that there is no retrofit available to install the 2012 seat plugs

As soon as the sailing season is over here I may push for a fix through my dealer.

My boat is supposed to be a 2012, but the way I have been seriously jacked so far, I wouldn't be surprised if it's some piece of crap they cobbled together from returned garbage throughout the year. Matt doesn't seem to be listening. I really am ready for Hobie to come get this pile of cr@p out of my carport right now.

Madwand,

I'm listening... when I get time to read the forums. I am in mid production of our fall parts catalog, so I don't get a lot of time to read forums for this few weeks and currently I am out of the office.

Boat sales and shipping issues are not my thing. I manage Parts and accessory sales, warranty and technical support, so I don't have a lot to offer you other than an apology for the ongoing hassles you have experienced.

I know our sales department and your dealer are working out the solution. It is unfortunate for sure.

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

Pre-tighten the pegs by a few spins to get the expansion cam started. It needs a little friction when pushed into the hull to lock in place and allow the tension screw to function. If too loose, yes, they would spin inside the peg hole.

The 2012 seat peg system requires very careful installation. You or your dealer could damage the peg holes if done incorrectly, so we are not offering a kit. We can not offer an item that could damage the hull. Wish we could, but at this point we are not confident enough that consumers and dealers could handle it.

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

Hobie is working on correcting my problem. But on this, I don't know if we're talking about the same peg design. My pegs are like cams with 2 teeth on them, they would lock into a mating slot in a hole to work. My boat has no such mated hole. My holes are smooth, nothing to bite into. Was there an older peg design where the peg expanded into a smooth hole? If so, why does my 2012 have a smooth hole and not a mated cam slot?

Is this the seat peg you have?
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=25876
It fits all but the latest bayonet type seat peg hole.
If not then you may have the newer upgraded seat peg -bayonet type?

Absolutely not, mine has cams on it. Does that one expand?

Yes, you turn the split ring to expand the pegs.
Got a pic of your pegs?

Sounds like those are the pegs I should have gotten. My pegs have 2 little teeth sticking out of the sides of them. This is what I have on my 2012 with smooth holes. I seem to have a hybrid.



I hear these are not as good and the old expanding ones for smooth holes are much better. So when I get the replacement expanding ones, I should be better off.