Mick3780 posted "It's a pity the chap who inadvertently inflated the relief valve on the i9 didn't approach Hobie before posting his concerns on this forum. It is to Hobie's credit that they didn't moderate or delete his post but left it there for all to see. Would be very interested to read how that story ends."
Mick3780 I have a name and it is in my signature: I posted the story and my honest experience with the boat. I could have concealed the facts from Hobie, but I did not and would not. I took the boat to my Dealer over 6 weeks ago. They were closed for the afternoon at 3 PM and seemed to be having a party, but still took took the boat in. The owner of the dealership called me in a couple of days and assured me that paperwork had been filed and the boat sent to Hobie. By Nov 10 I had not head from Hobie, and here is the reply I received from Brandon Castile on the 12th: "Your kayak is here, although our repair guy was out last week so he’s getting caught up with various projects this week. It shouldn’t be long" That was3 weeks ago next Monday.
Early this week, I had not received any further information, and Brandon had not returned an e-mail inquiring of the status, so I called him: He said that Hobie was doing inventory last week and that the repair man was out that day, but my boat would be attended to "shortly". I asked him to let me know when the boat had been inspected and action taken. I have not heard back.
Early inflatables do not have a warning on the boat about inflation of the "bilge drain". Hopefully my experience will prevent someone else from making the same mistake. I have owned inflatable boats for over 50 years, and this valve is similar if not identical to the inflation valve in many boats. Yes, I made a mistake, but I am honest, and there would have been no reason for Hobie to delete or moderate my post.
I agree that Hobie is a great company;I have owned several of their products. I first met Hobie Alter in the mid 50's when he was first carving foam surfing boards. I visited with him on his boat in the Broughton Islands BC, about 4 years ago, and that visit convinced me that the Mirage drive was an excellent boat for my uses after looking at his personal kayaks and discussing them with him.
I will post when Hobie gets around to inspecting my boat, repairing it or what other action they take.
Regards,
_________________ Bob Austin
Pensacola, FL
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