Pre 2010 Hobie Outback known problems.

Looking for information on an earlier Hobie Outback and any issues related with this model. The owner believe its a 2009, but it may be earlier by a year or two. I know this can be confirmed through serial numbers but he cant provide that info for another week. Owner claims it hasn't been used in years and always stored inside.
So in the interim I attempting to research my research on these kayaks. My understanding is the vary early hulls, 2005, had issues cracking in the drive area of the hull.
My intended use is ocean fishing south of San Francisco.
I would appreciate it if:
someone could please confirm the years that the outback was prone to cracking and when these issues were resolved.
any other issues to be concerned about with a 2007 - 2009 Hobie outback
Gary

CRICKETS??????
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8E_zMLCRNg

ANY ADVICE WOULD BE HELPFUL,

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

CRICKETS,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8E_zMLCRNg

I AM MOST CONCERNED ABOUT CRACKING, WHERE IT OCCURS AND WHAT MIGHT BE THE CAUSE. OF COURSE ANY KNOWN FIXES1

THANKS IN ADVANCED

Always check the drive wells very carefully, where the Mirage drive or cassette clicks in. Also check the hull around the bow area where careless people might beach it over sand or rocks when landing. Check the hull around the lowrance ready area, the drain plug, and the rudder.

Really, the boats aren't that big, just check the entire hull.

Thanks for the reply! I will look it over closely both outside and in for any obvious cracking. The fact that some Outbacks have cracked and nearly sunk is a bit horrifying considering its intended Ocean use.
From reading the few reports I have found on hull cracks its really hard to judge how common this cracking is. Just wondering if there are any 2009 and earlier Outbacks still afloat or are they all at the bottom of the sea?

I had an early hobie mirage outback that had this issue. The original design allowed the mirage drive to be dropped down into the well and secured by turning a knob on each side of drive to lock in. The constant pressure applied to the pedals, degraded the contact point where the drive sat in the well. The pressure points would weaken, crack and leak. Hobie recognized the flaw and changed the mirage drive to a "click in" system. This spread the pressure of the pedals over a greater area and solved the issue.
If buying the kayak, look at how the pedals secure into the well. If it is 2 knobs that turn- NO GOOD. It it is a drop in and click, just look closely at the area to see if there are any stress cracks.
enjoy!

I have a 2007 Hobie Outback and a 2007 Sport. Both are in great shape. I’m probably jinxing myself now!

I have two Hobie outback kayaks which have been stored outside in the sun for the past year, I have just found cracks in the plugs that hold the seat straps one one each kayaks. Can this be fixed by welding?
i have been reading up on plastic welding, and would appreciate any help, I am new to Kayaking and hoping to use these kayaks fishing. They are 2007 models
Thank you
Richard Ehrlich

HI RICHARD,
I THINK YOU JUST HIJACKED MY POST, BUT THATS FINE WITH ME!
I am no expert but did a fair amount of research on cracking in the Hobie Outbacks. If you found cracks on the exterior I would pull the covers and look closely at the interior reinforcement tubes around the drive well. That was/ is one common area prone to stress cracks, another is the through holes where you would attach your wheels.

As far a fixes, welding the interior is a problem due to lack of access. Fiberglass is a no go. A couple guys used specially formulated plastic glues and claimed success at the time of repair, who knows how long they lasted. JB has a couple of choices but dont just use any epoxy and be careful on what you choose!
Interior shot what to look for.

https://www.stripersonline.com/image_re ... ?i=1636129
This repair looks substandard, but who knows! I saw another guys repair who used a plastic specific epoxy or glue and he essentially cut pieces of PVC to fit around those interior reinforcing tubes and filled them with the stuff.

I did plastic welded one kayak. I was pressure washing my house and the dam thing walked its way over to a kayak and melted a hole in it. I got the job done with A regular plastic bucket and milk jug, it wasn't pretty but it worked. Practice your technique first and make sure the plastic is compatible.
Found it! Good Luck, Keep me posted
https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic. ... ck#p301976 the link: