Seatback flips up while trailering

How do you all keep the back of your Vantage seat from flipping up when trailering on the highway? When new, I could fold the seatback down and it stayed down at highway speeds. Now, my 2-month old PA14 wants to travel with the seatback up. Is there a tension adjustment in the hinge somewhere? If not, I can attach a Velcro strap or even a shoelace to tie it down, but am looking for a more elegant solution that won't be lost or left behind somewhere. Attaching paired rare-earth magnets inside the contact surfaces of the back and bottom frame tubes comes to mind. I doubt that I am alone here - what workarounds have you all come up with?

Jim, I use the bungee designed to hold the Mirage Drive fins "up against the hull", to hold the seat back down on top of the seat bottom.

With the seat folded down, feed the bungee through the opening in the mesh on the R/H curved part of the seat and back frame and then use the plastic hook on the bungee to grab the strap that tightens the seat-back mesh.
This is a foolproof method that will not come loose.
I can take a photo and post it, if my description is not clear/fuzzy.

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

Doc- Thanks! Simple, effective, and can't be left behind. Love it.

Does your PA have the straps below the seat? If so, they are designed to hold the seat folded. They only work if the seat is in the lower position and not up.

Hi Jim, No problem!

MississippiJoe, You make a good point, however the straps below the seat of my 2013 PA-14 are used to secure, two additional/larger Plano tackle boxes that I have.

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

Like the good Doctor, I too use those straps under the seat to keep tackle boxes secured. In fact, when I asked my dealer what they were for, that is what he told me! Good to know that they are multifunctional.

I have the PA 14 and have always trailered the yak backwards.. Therefore the seat back takes the wind as folded down. does that make any sense?

TWS- that's an interesting perspective! Makes perfect sense. In my case, though, using a cheapie HF trailer, I don't think that I would be able to keep the rudder and skeg in the down position on the trailer if loaded "backwards". Even if I could, I would worry about wear-and-tear on the steering lines if "road wind" tried to deflect the rudder sideways while in transit.

I have used the bungee for the drive too but I now use the large black night zee's twist ties.

Why do you have to trailer with the rudder down? Not sure what that would accomplish. If you are wanting to remove the tension on the lines, then let off a little on the tension but it will stay in the up position with less tension. Give it a try.

Thinwater skinner.....If you search back 2 or 3 of years ago in the forum about extra tension applied to the internal rudder pulleys, Hobie recommended the rudder tension should be completely released so not to over stress the plastic that is holding the pulleys in position.
I assume it is more of an issue in warmer climates, but why take a chance as releasing the rudder tension is simple?

I for one have the larger rudder installed on my 2013 PA-14, so in my case, releasing the tension is even more important.

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

For the past several years, the only time my rudder is not fully deployed is when launching or landing, or when taking the PA off the trailer for some other reason. My 2016 PA14 is my first "skeg boat" and although I don't always deploy the skeg out on the water, I make sure it is lowered during transportation and storage. Cheap insurance against many of the hull problems others have described due to tension in the rudder and skeg lines during storage.

Jim I'd just toss those plano boxes in you front stowage compartment or your vehicle during transport and use the straps provided-thats what I always have done-simple. With as much expensive gear I have in those boxes I'd never travel them out in the open like that.

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Have Fun-Will Travel
2013 Outback-Sand
2014 Pro Angler-Papaya

WharfRat - I did a simple mod to help keep the Plano boxes from moving around during transport. Using zip ties, I attached a cheap HF small bungee cargo net ( http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive ... 69621.html ) to the deck-mounted contact points for the Vantage Seat. Then I tuck my tackle boxes, billy club / knife and related larger loose gear under the netting and it seems to hold things pretty well. I still use the nylon strap across the top of the tackle net if headed out on the highway, but have not seen any appreciable movement of gear. I also mounted one to the back of my Vantage Seat so I can quickly tuck some warmer clothing that may be needed that day (sweatshirt or jacket, gloves, wool hat, etc) back where it will stay relatively dry and within easy reach.