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 Post subject: Leak statistics
PostPosted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 6:11 pm 
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Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Thu Aug 16, 2018 5:54 pm
Posts: 1
Dear friends of Hobie inflatables,

could we possilby set up a kind of statistics ?
I think about a list witout too many details and concerning only the aging aspect, concerning leaks without any accidental mishaps like hitting rocks or sharp objects.
Example:
Hull type: i14t
Built: 2008
Leak: no
Leak position: -
Leak severity: -
Leak date: -
Storage conditions: inflated in the bag @ room temperature
Repair: -
Scrapped: -


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 Post subject: Re: Leak statistics
PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 3:14 am 
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Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Sun Dec 24, 2017 8:55 pm
Posts: 82
Location: Cedar Key, FL
None of the current ones leak a drop.

Later in its life, the old 2003 Outback would take on about half a gallon over 6 hours.

It never got bad enough to track down, but I'm assuming there was a crack or cracks in the drive cam lock area (which I never repaired). I never upgraded the stock penguin fins so that may have helped keep the leak to a minimum.

That yak was stored outside (upside down) in the Florida sun and heat its entire life until I replaced it last December. It had many unfortunate encounters with oyster beds.

It was one tough little boat.

_________________
2014 Outback
2016 Outfitter
2017 Sport


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 Post subject: Re: Leak statistics
PostPosted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 9:05 am 
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Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Wed May 04, 2016 5:24 am
Posts: 10
Location: Bob in Mobile, AL
Hull type: i11s
Built: bought in April 2016 from Austin Kayak
Leak: yes
Leak position: - area where black plastic insert for Mirage Drive attaches to middle chamber fabric
Leak severity: - will not hold air for even one kayak ride so pretty much useless
Leak date: - August 2018
Storage conditions: inflated in a covered area under a boat house
Repair: - the glue supplied with the kayak will not fix the leaks and Hobie, though its distributor Austin Kayak, has denied a warranty claim as the kayak is 4 months outside of the warranty period. They have offered to try and fix the kayak if I will ship it to them and Austin kayak is sending me a claim number.
Scrapped: - not yet but likely my last ever Hobie purchase


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 Post subject: Re: Leak statistics
PostPosted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 11:48 am 
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Site Admin

Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 12:44 pm
Posts: 15026
Location: Oceanside, California
I am guessing Austin has not contacted us. We do not deny claims for leaks when just out of warranty. At minimum we would offer some good faith adjustment.

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


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 Post subject: Re: Leak statistics
PostPosted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 12:16 pm 
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Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Wed May 04, 2016 5:24 am
Posts: 10
Location: Bob in Mobile, AL
mmiller wrote:
I am guessing Austin has not contacted us. We do not deny claims for leaks when just out of warranty. At minimum we would offer some good faith adjustment.

Matt, I have been in contact with Luke at Austin Kayak who claims to have contacted you as he sent this today:

Hey Bob,

We heard back from Hobie, and they said that the kayak is a few months outside of the warranty. They said they will repair it for free, as long as it is repairable, but you would be responsible for the shipping to and from them. They did not answer me about a recommended repair method, if you wanted to do it yourself, so I will ask them again. Please let me know if you do want to ship it back to them, and I will provide you with their claim number. I will also let you know what they say about the home repair when I hear back!

Regards,

<end Austin Kayak email>

According to Luke's reply I have to pay to ship the kayak to and from Hobie even if it isn't repairable. Is the normal procedure for kayak repairs under warranty that the customer pays to have them shipped both ways?


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 Post subject: Re: Leak statistics
PostPosted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 12:28 pm 
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Site Admin

Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 12:44 pm
Posts: 15026
Location: Oceanside, California
I reviewed with the warranty manager.

He did recommend a possible repair. It is at your cost to return the product to us for a repair if needed when out of warranty (looks like 2 years and 5 months). He told me that we currently don't have replacement hulls available, so repair was the only option in this case.

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


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 Post subject: Re: Leak statistics
PostPosted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 4:32 pm 
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Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 5:38 pm
Posts: 11
Location: Mesa, AZ
Hull type: i12s
Built: 2010
Leak: yes
Leak position: - 1st: Along the top seam of the mirage drive well.
Leak severity: - the boat lost air to the degree it couldn't be used
Leak date: - 7/12/2017
Storage conditions: deflated in a storage bag; temp in the high 80's
Repair: - yes, however the local Hobie dealer stated he would attempt a repair. His explanation was "an inflatable boat is destined to leak regardless of manufacturer or material". I know better.
Scrapped: Not yet

Hull type: i12s
Built: 2010
Leak: yes
Leak position: - scupper tubing broke at the base of the inside scupper hole
Leak severity: -ballast filled with water to an unsage level within minutes
Leak date: - 7/16/2017
Storage conditions: inflated in the bag @ room temperature
Repair: - yes, inserted a smaller diameter and heavier tubing inside the OEM tubing. Making a point to extend the tubing beyond the inside scupper hole
Scrapped: we'll see


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 Post subject: Re: Leak statistics
PostPosted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 4:35 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 5:38 pm
Posts: 11
Location: Mesa, AZ
This first post was misprinted. The local Hobie dealer stated he would NOT attempt a repair.
This boat was also UNsafe to use as the bilge filled with far too much water.


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