Drive well crack

Aloha,

I am new to this forum.

I have a hobie oasis kayak, and I love it! I found a 1 inch crack in the drive well of the front seat, and I am wondering if anyone can please tell me how to fix it. I have family in town for 3 days, and they are dying to ride in it. Any help will be most appreciated.

Thanks!

Cracks can be welded or sealed with epoxies but we don't like to suggest repairs on leaks below waterline. Did you contact a dealer yet? Where in the well? Photo?

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

Aloha Matt,

I have contacted my dealer, and I am getting pictures and serial number together. I understand VIMC (my local dealer) will help me get this info to the right people at Hobie (maybe you?)

Thanks,

Steve

Aloha Matt,

My serial number is:

CAMY9751L809

I will have pictures in a few hours...

I need to check witch drive well the crack is in. The crack is below the waterline.

Thanks.

Send the images to the dealer for inclusion in any claim. Our warranty manager will review for any possible warranty coverage on the issue.

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

Aloha Matt,

I took the kayak into my dealer today, he looked at the cracked area, and pointed out the thin plastic spine of the rear drive well. You could see the sunlight lit it up bright yellow, compared to all the other plastic in the kayak (polyethylene) which was just dark in color because it is normal thickness, and no sunlight can pass through it. Glen at VIMC patched both cracks up (there were two cracks right beside each other) so I could take my visiting family out in it tomorrow. (Thanks Glen).

I am concerned this thin spine will crack again. I purchased a pump to bail water should I get in a bind.

Knowing that the 2009 Oasis kayaks produced in the earlier part of 2009 have had this issue makes me a little nervous.

I love my Hobie Oasis, I will only own Hobie Mirage drive kayaks!

Took the kayak out yesterday for about 20 minutes, and ended up with 5-6 gallons of water in it. With the work Glen did to it, I thought it was fixed for sure. He added so much material inside the boat, on the drive well, and built it up so thick and strong... Its just not working. That is twice to the dealer in 24 hours. Drive well is beating us 2-0.

Same answer. Our warranty department needs to see details.

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

Aloha Matt,

Glen at Valley Isle Marine Center told me he sent in the info in to Hobie on either the 12th or the 16th of this month.

Thanks

Then our warranty manager will respond ... likely already. I am out of the office... tough duty in the BVI.

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

Good news!

I picked up my replacement hull yesterday! Thank you Hobie! Thank you for making a superior product, and for honoring your warranty. I really appreciate it! Can't wait to get it out on the water in the next few days!



Steve

Cheers to this thread. Very nice to read about a happy outcome!

You just answered my question Matt. I'll take the kayak to the dealer tomorrow. (1 yr, 4 months old)

I was just about to start training for an upcoming race and took the adventure out for the first time this year for an easy trip. I've been so happy with the performance of the Adventure so far and then today the pulley shaft came loose (set screw on the relatively new drive unit came loose) and water started entering the hull on this trip.

It is a scary thought being on the water with a bulkheadless kayak taking on water in cold water conditions.

Hope the dealer can replace the hull quickly so I can make it to the Battle on the Bayou Race which this year has a Pedalboat division. http://www.battleonthebayou.com/

For your record, here is a photo of the new crack in the hull:

Picked up the replacement Adventure hull today. Thanks Hobie! Tried it out in some chop and even though I was soaked from waves and wind, the inside of the hull was bone dry.

this really has me concerned as I am about to order 2 2011 Oasis this week. How common are drive well cracks? What if this happened outside of the 2 yr warranty period? If I didn't abuse my yak and it happened in year 3 i'd be really upset that a $2600 investment was not covered due to a defect.

also how common are these cracks? is it a freak thing and something that rarely happens? is anything contributing to the cracks like turbo fins? anything I need to look for when I take delivery or its just something that happens during time?

_________________
Currently own: 2012 AI, 2 - 2012 Revo 13's, 2012 Revo 11,
Sold: 2-2011 Oasis, 2010 Outback, 08 Outback, 08 Adventure, 06 Kona