Cracked Outback Haul, Seat Support ? Help Needed !!

We are out of warranty and we want to try and save the kayak. Has anyone ever done a successful fix on this issue. Doing some research we have seen a few ideas that may work. I would think getting something inside the haul to support the crack and then something on top to fill the crack. If you have done this or share any ideas on a good fix it would be greatly appreciated. Thank You

Picture Link: https://ibb.co/KNrjjk1

where exactly is the crack?

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

it is exactly where the seat support is on the left side if you are looking towards the rear of the kayak. The link shows the location.

Picture Link: https://ibb.co/KNrjjk1

I have done many plastic-welding jobs on Hobie kayaks and I must say that will be a difficult one but worth trying. Yes, you will need to shape some dense styrofoam or some other material to take the load off the crack and close the gap between the sides of it. Make it quite big so the load is dispersed and not creating a future crack point. This forum topic has a post from me with the general steps I use for a welding repair.

https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=140&t=69923

Peter

The first thing I would do is drill a 3/16" hole at the present ends of the crack to prevent any more cracking.

I know 3M makes a special glue that will bond with the Hobie plastic and there is heat welding/melting the hull with the same colored material you can get from Hobie. I have seen pictures of it and sometimes is not pretty but effective.

Another possibility is to reinforce and laminate another material on the inside of the hull, in the area that is splitting/cracking.

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

If your model is a newer one (2019-2022), the problem is a common issue. Since it's a recurrent problem, ask Hobie to exchange the hull, since. Warranty should not be an attenuating factor in defective projects.


The low quality/fragility of the newer Outback Hulls is astonishing!