Mr Miller, can you answer some questions

Hi Mr. Miller, I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. I have posted here about a crack in my 2018 Outback at the rear seat area and I am still patient because I know Hobie will honor their warranty but it will take some time with this virus situation, but here are my questions for you:

1) Why has Hobie not acknowledge this issue of stress cracks in the rear seat area in the Outback?
2) Why has Hobie not stated why they happened?
3) Why does Hobie have a different warranty resolution for different customers for the same issue within the same warranty period?
4) How can this be the same outcome for 2018, 2019, and 2020 models and no official statement as to why and the fix?
5) How can Hobie think that their good name is not being tarnished by being a church mouse when things go sideways?

This is not a percentage thing that they can say that is is just a few bad apples, they know they have a legitimate problem and just honoring their warranty and throwing another hull at their customers is not the answer, we need a reason and a fix. The Outback Facebook pages are full of hull cracks in the same area. Now I will get a new hull with no warranty left and still be waiting for another crack to appear with no recourse. Last question: "how can a potential customer be willing to roll the dice for their next kayak valued at $2000/$5000 when their competition will give a lifetime warranty on their hulls"?

Mr Miller
It seems my questions have either offended you or made you feel uncomfortable as I see you have answered other post and skipped over mine, please believe it was not intended, that is not who I am. I have a Hobie product and it has failed, after this failure my written warranty is up and I feel strongly that I will be best friends with a plastic welding kit. I do not say this to be comical as I see the evidence of failures. If you would be so kind as to refer me to someone at Hobie that I could address my questions, that would be helpful. Thank you in advance

Sorry,

I do not see every post every day. Not avoiding you.

Any claim would have to process through a dealer. I don't make the determination online. Our warranty manager will review any claim from a dealer. We have been working from home, so no delay in approving a claim. Check back with your dealer.

I am not aware of a specific crack in 2018 outbacks. We have apparently seen an increase with the 2019 model. Any of these issues have been approved for replacement I believe. Since the 2019 seat defaults to the top position, it may be seeing a higher load to the to[ position ledges as users drop into the seat.

Anyway... check back with your dealer for claim status.

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

Thanks, yes my crack was in the lower mode as I like sitting like that not to be a little top heavy. Just to be clear, I am not angry at this situation but I feel the need to think through where I am with this. Like I said Hobie is willing to give me another hull but I will then be out of warranty as it has just passed the two year mark. Jacques has been very helpful working with my dealer so no issues there. I try to connect the dots of how I come to be where I am with this and there seems to be a connection involving the mirage drive and the vantage seat marriage in the Outback. Pushing the pedals is transferring the load to the rear legs of the seat and the hull does not appreciate that at all. They have very few 2018 Outbacks left and they are red, I have an aversion to red, lol. I don't know what to do now but I am sure it won't be the end of the world. Thanks again