Vantage CTW seat question

On a lot of the pictures I see of the 2019 Outback the seat has a vertical tab on each side (near the thigh area). I see holes in my seat where that could presumably go but they are not on my seat. Is this an oversight from the dealer? Do I need those? What is their purpose?

On the one Hobie video he called it a protector, when he said the straps should go outside the protector. Sounds like they may be important but I really do not see their purpose.

Thanks in advance.

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Fish tremble when they hear my name

A ship in harbor is safe -- but that is not what ships are built for.
--John A. Shedd, Salt from My Attic, 1928

I don’t think they’re a big deal, I’m guessing they just to keep you from pinching between the rope and your leg if the seatback is tipped forward, then back to where the rope gets taught. Just a guess, someone will set me straight if it’s more importabt then I think

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I love my Hobie therapy

Thanks BionicWings. Your explanation makes a lot of sense.

_________________
Fish tremble when they hear my name

A ship in harbor is safe -- but that is not what ships are built for.
--John A. Shedd, Salt from My Attic, 1928

Reduces annoyance of rope rubbing your thigh

Checked with Hobie - the tabs are not included with the CTW seats for the Outback. The purpose of the tabs was to act as a guard to prevent users from punching themselves when the CT seats were raised and lowered. The new Outbacks with the CTW seats don't have the pinching issue and the tabs were making the mechanism harder to work, so they were discontinued.

I was told they (Hobie) are in the process of updating their material so it doesn't show the tabs with the CTW seat.

Keith
Newbury Kayak and Canoe

They restrain low position by modyfing this stainless piece, so the tab is not longer necessary:

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François - French Hobie fishing team - Outback 2019 papaya
ex: Revo 13 2007 - PA 14 2008 - PA 12 2009 - Outback 2011/2013/2015 - Compass 2017

You're welcome pdxfisher, it's my pleasure...

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François - French Hobie fishing team - Outback 2019 papaya
ex: Revo 13 2007 - PA 14 2008 - PA 12 2009 - Outback 2011/2013/2015 - Compass 2017

Thanks for sleuthing that out kattenbo and felvic.

I was originally concerned because some of the folks who first got their 2019's with the CTW did have the tabs. As an example, Rogerdodger's early videos on this site showed the tabs on his seat. I think all the early youtube video reviews by customers had the tabs on their seats. I just went and looked at some newer reviews and setup videos and it looks like the tabs are no longer included.

Is it recommended that folks with tabs remove them or is it a don't care?

_________________
Fish tremble when they hear my name

A ship in harbor is safe -- but that is not what ships are built for.
--John A. Shedd, Salt from My Attic, 1928

The tabs are there to prevent finger damage, as it would expose a possible pinch point above the seat.

New models did not require the guard due to the range of seat position...

(just a copy/paste from Matt post, my english is not so perfect )

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François - French Hobie fishing team - Outback 2019 papaya
ex: Revo 13 2007 - PA 14 2008 - PA 12 2009 - Outback 2011/2013/2015 - Compass 2017

Leave them unless they cause a seat fit issue. Some seats were binding on the finger guards and since they were no longer required due to seat height... we removed them from all Outbacks.

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

Thanks again for your quick and useful answer!

_________________
Fish tremble when they hear my name

A ship in harbor is safe -- but that is not what ships are built for.
--John A. Shedd, Salt from My Attic, 1928