Hobie® Livewell XL is back on the market!

Hobie® Livewell XL is back on the market!



72020072 HOBIE LIVEWELL XL $419.00 (USA / USD 11-2016)

Following the initial release of the Livewell XL came a number of reports relating to faulty reed switches. With this discovery, we decided to take the Livewell XL off the market until a permanent solution could be made to fix this issue.

We’re happy to announce that Hobie® has reached a permanent solution in the form of a newly redesigned and thoroughly tested reed switch, and we are pleased to be putting the highly anticipated Livewell XL back on the market.

What caused the original reed switches to fail?

• Our magnetic reed switch incorporates two metal contacts within an inert gas-filled sealed glass tube. Due to a combination of issues, the glass tube was unpredictably cracking and causing the switch to lose function due to a loss of the gas and then corrosion of the contacts.

• The original switch housing was snug around the glass tube and potted with a hard epoxy, creating an environment where some deflection in the switch could cause the glass to crack.

What’s new about the redeveloped reed switches?

• In order to remedy the issue, we redesigned the housing with more internal space around the glass body and substantial ribs to limit possible deflection. We then potted the glass reed switch tube in a soft silicone sealant. The redesign of the switch housing prevents flex while also providing open space around the glass tube to prevent it from cracking should any flex occur. This enables the original intended benefit of a sealed contact that will not corrode. This is a huge improvement over other available marine switches on the market.

We have a high level of confidence that the new switch is significantly more durable, and capable of withstanding a wide variety of conditions over time.

Retrofit kits for consumers

If you’ve purchased a Livewell XL with its original reed switch, we are offering the newly redesigned reed switch along with everything needed to install it (72021053 Reed switch replacement kit ), free of charge via our warranty claim process. Contact your dealer.

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

Matt,

That's awesome news! I love my Livewell XL!

Steve

_________________
Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

Have used mine for a solid 8 months without incident on the switch. I have had intermittant problems with the pump loosing suction which went away after replacing the battery, and had to heat and bend the clip that controls the water level because it was not holding tight enough to keep the higher water level. Good to know about the warranty switch upgrade.

Up to you... If your switch is working... I would not bother.

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

Matt,

The only issue I encounter with the livewell is related to fishing in the shallow gulf in areas with a lot of loose grass. Sometimes the grass gets sucked up the intake tube and clogs the impeller on the pump. During scalloping season a lot of loose grass is present near shore.

The pump drags or stops pulling water due to ingesting the small grass. If there was some way to add some sort of mesh inline filter in that intake tube that would keep the grass out, but allow sufficient water flow, I would think that would be ideal and prevent the impeller clogging issue. Just a suggestion.

Steve

_________________
Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

I think the only effective way is to add a larger screen intake around the existing one. Any smaller screen inside the tube would be blocked quickly. Maybe a way to deflect?

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

You might be right there. Other folks I know with Hobie livewells tell me they had similar issues with the first model. It doesn't happen often...only when you happen to fish an area with a lot of loose grass. A normal bilge pump running at a higher rate on 12 volts would just chew the grass up and keep going. Next time I use the livewell I'm going to try wrapping some mesh material around the end cap. Old piece of women's hosery comes to mind...lol!

_________________
Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

mesh screening from window screens works good, synthetic type. home improvement stores have it