Hobie seat models - discrepancy

Hello all,
I bought 2 identical Sport Mirage Yaks in July. Identical that is except for the seats. My wife & I both hate one of them because the back support is poor. I found a photo in the "go seatless" thread indicating the one we both like is actually the latest model. Do you think there's a chance our dealer will exchange seats for the one that should have been in the boat when we bought it last year?

Hobie changed out the seats about a year or so ago. No harm in asking your dealer about getting the newer model, if that is the one you both like, since you bought them at the same time.

Don't know if this post covers the seats you are asking about, but at least you can compare notes. September, 2006 was when this changeover took place, but I would be surprised if your dealer gave you one of the pre-2006 seats, unless you bought your yaks in early to mid-2007. The pre- Sept., 2006 seats had a full fanny pack across the back of the seat that is very handy for carrying gear such as a rain jacket, suncreen and the like. Good luck.

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewt ... hobie+seat

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Jeffrey, it sounds like you might have bought your Sports about the time they were changing from one seat style to the other. I doubt the dealer would trade after this much time, but , as Apalach mentions, there is certainly no harm in asking! If not, he may offer a good deal on a replacement.

Another alternative might be, depending on where you live, trading with someone locally who wants the older style seat. Many prefer the new seat , such as yourselves, but the older style is still a favorite with some folks because of following reasons:

No lumbar support which gives some users a back ache

Thinner back gives about 1" more leg room if you're tall and at the last pedal stop

Much larger gear storage bag on the back of the seat

Firmer seat pad that doesn't buckle when sailing (scooting back and forth in the cockpit)

Taller seat back shoulders (and strap locations) for better upper back support

Slightly lower seating position for lower CG

Seat-back doesn't sweat as much

Obviously I am one of those who prefers the older style seats and have in fact, been lucky enough to find two spares to replace the newer seats on our newest boats, or I would trade with you in a heartbeat. It's great that there are a couple of options for different backs!

Good luck in getting what you want!

Apalach & RR,
Thanks for the replies. I checked the thread & it seems you both are fans of the older seat. I am 6'2" myself so I definitely can use all the leg extension I can get, but the bottom line is I have A/B'ed them both & the new one is for me, no question. My wife tried the old one for the first time last weekend and said "How have you been able to stand this?"

So if anyone on the forum wants to trade, I'll bite. It's new condition, in fact I took the large pack right off the back & stored it - never been used.

As a follow up:
I went to the store & gave my speil to the sales guy - not the same one I bought from last year. He gave me a new seat off the floor 'yak & took the old one, no problem. What great service! No hassle at all. I was so impressed I'm gonna plug them:
Great Outdoor provison Co. Cameron Village Shopping Center, Raleigh, NC.

Yea Jeff,
I sort of figured that was what a good Hobie dealer would do to keep a customer happy. Great customer support has been a Hobie mantra for a number of years now, and tends to set Hobie apart from some other yak manufacturers.

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