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I9S middle chamber / bladder leaks:
http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=27761
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Author:  sneakypete [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 2:14 pm ]
Post subject:  I9S middle chamber / bladder leaks:

We have two Hobie I9s kayaks and the one that has seen very little use leaks air from the center bladder. It is a slow leak, the boat gets soft and hard to use after about 45 minutes. I've used soapy water over the valve and most everywhere else but nothing shows an obvious leak.

Is there a way to get this fixed where we don't lose the rest of our short (Minnesota) summer?

Author:  mmiller [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 4:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I9S middle chamber / bladder leaks:

Must be leaking in the bilge area if you can't locate it. That is a tough one. May require return here. We would cut the bottom black material to expose the bottom of the floor panel to fix it.

Author:  sneakypete [ Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I9S middle chamber / bladder leaks:

What is the best way to do that Matt? Is this something we can arrange with the local dealer or would it be more efficient to work directly with the factory?

I know I'm putting you on the spot here but can you make a guess as to how long the turnaround might take? Minnesota summers are mighty short...

Author:  mmiller [ Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I9S middle chamber / bladder leaks:

Contact your dealer and have them file a claim. I don't do warranty anymore, but we do respond quickly. Maybe they can give you a loaner?

Author:  sneakypete [ Tue Jul 27, 2010 10:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I9S middle chamber / bladder leaks:

Hi Matt,

I drove over to the dealer. The upside is I can use their demo I9S except on their weekly demo days. That is way better than expected. The downside is that they have never cut open an inflatable and mine would be their first, a practice model as it were. I'm told the warranty department convinced them that all they have to do is follow the instructions. Apparently they haven't met these guys.

Can I send this thing directly to Hobie?

Author:  mmiller [ Mon Aug 02, 2010 12:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I9S middle chamber / bladder leaks:

Yes. I'm not sure we would have recommended they do this if access is required through the bottom material.

Hobie Cat
4925 Oceanside Blvd.
Oceanside, CA 92056

Author:  sneakypete [ Tue Aug 03, 2010 6:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I9S middle chamber / bladder leaks:

I am only relaying what the kid at the dealership told me. It was obvious to me I would not be able to dissuade them from whatever cutting spree they had in mind (picture a 60 pound patch-covered Franken-Yak!). Sad because now we have the "opportunity" to pay for shipping to the factory to get warranty work done. Looking on the bright side at least the factory will accept a boat shipped directly to them.

Thanks for all your help Matt, we'll try to get that boat shipped this week.

Author:  mmiller [ Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I9S middle chamber / bladder leaks:

You can ask for the charges to be refunded.

Author:  sneakypete [ Thu Aug 05, 2010 11:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I9S middle chamber / bladder leaks:

mmiller wrote:
You can ask for the charges to be refunded.


Seriously? That would be wonderful!

Author:  sneakypete [ Thu Aug 19, 2010 6:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I9S middle chamber / bladder leaks:

Hi Matt

I'm wondering what the status is on repairs. We sent the boat 2 weeks ago today and it was received at the factory last Friday. I doesn't seem like repairs should take all that long but what do I know? Hopefully it will be back in action soon!

A note about the packing/shipping charges: I did drive over to the dealer and ask for one of their boxes but that didn't work out so well. At that point we decided to have the kayak professionally boxed and shipped.

Pete

Author:  sneakypete [ Fri Aug 27, 2010 2:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I9S middle chamber / bladder leaks:

Is there any word on the repairs to our I9s kayak? We sent it three weeks ago and it was signed for two weeks ago. Since we haven't received any return shipping notice I assume it is still at the factory waiting to be fixed. I can't imagine that fixing a leak can take more than two weeks.

When I first posted (another thread - 7/6/10) I was concerned that this problem/repair would put that boat out of commission for the entire summer. Unfortunately my concerns have proven to be true... (this is Minnesota, July and August is pretty much the whole summer)

Author:  mmiller [ Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I9S middle chamber / bladder leaks:

Your dealer should have been the source of updates for you. I have been in China since early August and only now getting back up to speed with the forums.

Looks like it is being replaced and is pending shipping according to the warranty manager.

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