2015 Hobie Outback rear hatch problem.

First off on Y'alls outback's when y'all are pedaling does the rear of the kayak dip below the surface of the water? When I'm with friends they freak out cause they think my kayak is sinking. That leads me to believe I might be taking in water from the rear hatch. I've tried squirting the kayak with the hose to find a leak but couldn't tell. I'm thinking that the rear hatch shouldn't be under water when I'm pedaling. Is there something I should do? I spent a good amount of money on it to have water taking in inside the kayak.

Does this happen even if you are on the kayak without additional gear?
How heavy are you? <- no offense intended, its a relevant question.

When I had my 2013 Outback, the back dipped a bit under way but the hatch area was never under water. For reference, I am 205lbs and carry about 50lbs of gear with me (including 5 gallon bucket full of sea water and live bait).

I'd be more wary of (a little) water coming in through the rudder control lines than the back hatch which is pretty well sealed. Was there a lot of water in the hull after a trip on the water?

I'm a heavy dude about 250, but I don't take much gear. Three light tackle rods and lures. I thought about the weight limit. But there's no way my gear even weighs 30lbs. Yeah I think the rudder holes is probably where I'm taking water in. I have not gone out in it empty. It takes on a bit of water. I'm really concerned cause offshore season in Texas is starting to pick up.

A little water will just about always get in a kayak especially when offshore. If it's no more than a quart or so no worries but when it starts getting into a gallon or more there's a problem. A hand pump is a must for me to be offshore you never know when something bad could happen. I've seen to many problems with people leaving out drain plugs. The rear on my outback rides down when I am moving and water does come in the rudder lines.

It's a couple of gallons. I don't take in as much water in my pescador kayak. I talked to ask where I bought it from. They said to pour a couple of gallons of water in it and see where it's leaking from and go from there.

How old is the boat? We have changed hull shapes (added volume) and added seals to rudder control line tubes over the years.

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

The only way to really find leaks is with a shop vacum. Put hose on exhaust make a cardboard cover for a hatch with a hole for hose seal up with tape and get a spray bottle with soapy water.

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2

It's one of the first 2015 out backs that came to San Antonio Texas . Mmiller should I need a new hull?

I am surprised that a 2015 would sink that much in the rear.

Capacity: 400 lbs / 181 kg

Something is certainly up. Contact your dealer for review. I would suspect scuppers.

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

Well I have a tournament this Saturday. I'll have a buddy take video of what I'm experiencing to show y'all.Thanks for the Info.

Can't believe I forgot to get pictures of how low the outback dips in the water. It was pretty much a glass calm down and still got water inside the kayak. I'm really stumped on where it can be. I'm thinking maybe a SLOW leak from a scupper ?

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