cracked hull wrote:
I would hope that a famous company like Hobie would back their products forever. Especially the non-moving parts such as the hull. I mean its not like I dropped it or ran it into a rock. The cracks are from everyday use.
Cracked, I sympathize with your disappointment at not getting Hobie to agree to free boats for life -- I was hoping they would say yes so we could all get in on that deal as well. Unfortunately when we agree to buy a product with a 2 year warranty, getting any more than that has got to be a pretty good deal, as you obviously know. Well, no harm in trying.
cracked hull wrote:
Dr. SteelheadCatcher, if I needed your opinion, and yes its your opinion, I would ask for it.
You do realize that posting your rant on a public forum automatically invites other opinions, right? You kinda have to accept what you get and consider that these opinionators might have something to consider after all, even if you don't find it flattering.
cracked hull wrote:
Matt,I understand the fact that you work for Hobie and need to eep your job. Your company has created a product that is defective. You have stated that! It dosen't matter how old the kayak is as the age does not reflect the use of a product. The constant reference to tires tells me you really don't understand the issue. A non-wearing product such as the hull of a kayak cannot be compared to a tire.
While I'm no expert in such matters, I do believe Matt is trying trying to explain to you in terms you can understand that drivewells
do wear out, even if you can't see the wear. When you think about 60 cycles per minute or about 7200 strokes per hour at an average 100 psi per stroke, that adds up to a lot of stress over a half million cycles or so -- well, you can do the math. Just as erosion turns mountains into molehills eventually, pedaling flexes and cracks Polyethylene over time. As an Architect, surely you of all people should be able to understand this concept. If you want a lifetime warranty get a paddle and be prepared to pay shipping and handling charges in most cases (provided your warranty claim is accepted).
cracked hull wrote:
As anyone knows when a product is first manufactured, tests are performed on the item. Extra stress to the hull should have been taken into account in the original design.
A little ignorance (or a convenient memory) goes a long way. You may remember that your Outbacks came out before Turbofins were introduced. At that point, there was no real issue with cracking drivewells during the previous 9 years of Mirage Drives. The smaller standard fins were not capable of generating anywhere near the same forces or speeds. Your implication is that Hobie should have designed their equipment for an accessory that didn't exist. That's a high standard indeed!
cracked hull wrote:
The attitude that you could just say no is uncalled for and unprofessional.
So if I have this right, you're calling Matt Miller unprofessional even though his company has already extended significant benefits to you beyond their contracted obligation? That's a pretty cheap shot.
What sounds unprofessional to me sir (or madam) is your expressed willingness to sell a leaky and "non-repairable" boat to some unsuspecting person, whose safety may be compromised, not to mention his waste of money. Let me suggest a more responsible approach of taking Hobie up on their very generous replacement offer, thereby getting this broken boat off the market and likely making a much higher profit as well. So when you never recommend Hobie again at least some of us won't be concerned that you may have risked someone elses safety and well being for a few bucks.
If all you wanted was help, perhaps you'll remember to ask for it next time -- at the beginning. Any unflattering responses you got were exactly what you solicited. That's just my opinion.