Thanks for the response mmiller. Yep, as I mentioned it was a rental boat so hard to say what it might have endured before. They had a spare one in their shop so I imagine it was a quick fix for them. Just kind of sucks when it happens to you out on the water
But, as mentioned before it is a very nice paddling boat as well.
It's funny, while out on the water I couldn't really position myself easily to take a good look, but all looked well and I kept trying to snap back in. Even when I got back to the dock I didn't see it at first, I mean the ring would reposition itself, where you couldn't see it was split. Anyhow, I still like the boat a lot, especially if that was just a one off and the paddle keeper could be reconfigured a bit and sounds easy enough to improve the cup holder. Those were my only gripes, otherwise the hull shape seems super and as I mentioned, I actually found the seat quite comfortable, (until the padeye of course).