Seat Removal

I just picked up an 8-year old Hobie Mirage, and there was a note in the paperwork that indicated that the seats could/should be removed for transporting. I've seen the new "seat plugs" that Hobie is selling and was wondering if this older kayak has a similar plug, that is removable? Thanks.

The older Hobies had riveted seats. They are not removable.

Old habits die hard -- I still leave my seats in permanently with the newer boats. It doesn't hurt the seat, is one less thing to forget and saves launch time. You can fold them forward and bungee them down for transport.

Hello Guru,

Thanks for the reply. I probably should have mentioned that I'd like to repair/replace the seat - it's rather beat up. I've noticed that the seat has two philips screw heads at the connection point, not rivets. I'm guessing that these are simply screwed into the plastic - I can feel a small bump in the underside of the shell at these screw points. If I'm careful, can I simply undo these screws, or can I cause damage by doing so?

Sounds like you have first generation plugs. They will continue to work fine, but are also interchangeable with the newer plugs (pre-2012). the old plugs are pressed or pounded in by hand for a friction fit. If they are holding well, I prefer them as they are less intrusive into the seating area. The new plugs twist to lock and may have a better grip but sometimes can be finicky. The 2012 plugs are best but require special inserts and are not available for retrofit.

Having likely been in for a long time, your plugs may be hard to dislodge. The seat screws are attached to the plugs so you can either pull the seat out (with plug attached) or unscrew it, leaving the pugs in place. Your new/refurbished seat will screw back in. If you strip a plug, go to a bigger screw.

If you replace your seat, you have some choices. The 2010 and newer has better back support than the previous model and an inflatable lumbar support, but no detachable pack for the seat back. The 2007 to 2009 seat has less back support, a fixed lumbar support and small removable pack mounted to the back. The 2006 and earlier has the best back support, no lumbar support, a large removable pack on the back and may or may not still be available through special order (your dealer should inquire). Here's a link comparing the earlier two versions.
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=12717

PS. Any seat works with any plug style.

I have decided to go buy the seat in my hull only Revo 11, and I told my wife about just leaving the seat in the Revo 11 while storing it.

She had a big laugh. Our home as per friends/relatives, who visit,describe it, is on the "Edge" of civilization and country.

We have deer, coyotes, wild turkeys, racoons, rats*, possums and other uninvited guests on a regular basis. They have caused a litany of problems in our home, car port and deer fence back yard.

My wife said she could just see 4 legged critters deciding to nest, sleep or ? on/in the seats or using the material to make a bed or a bathroom with the seat.

She knows this family in our area, who store their yaks outside on a rear deck, leaning against a support beam. This spring, when they took their yaks from the beam, every seat had been ruined by various critters.

Her latest run in with critters is in our new deer fenced back yard where she has cattle/horse troughs as her planter boxes. The 3 foot metal troughs eliminate moles, rabbits many other critters. However, the raccoons, love her Roma Tomatoes. They wait until the Romas are ripe and pick them at night. She has yet to pick a Ripe Roma. They leave the other tomatoes/veggies alone.

We miss the mountain lion, who used to be in our area and kept the critter population down.

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2009 Oasis
2012 Freedom Hawk Pathfinder

Good point. For outside storage it's best to remove the seat and close your hatches at night, especially if you live in a rural area (as we do as well).

Not only can your seat turn into nesting material, but open hatches makes an inviting shelter for rats and mice. Spiders, ants and earwigs make themselves at home exploring any leaves or debris that happen to fall on an uncovered boat, so you never know who you may be joining your crew on your next outing.

BTW, I normally keep our kayaks hanging in the garage. If stored outside occasionally, a wipe down and good inspection is called for prior to loading!