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Outback lifespan?
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Author:  Ted [ Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:35 am ]
Post subject:  Outback lifespan?

I bought mine from a local dealer(Carlsbad PaddleSports) here in San Diego in Aug of '03.

The dreaded drive insert hull crack just developed and it leaks bad.

My drive unit had the old style adjustment pins that had slipped out during peddling and cracked the plastic, holed, adjustment plate so I permanently bolted the peddles.

Shortly after purchase the string guide flange that is attached to the rudder cut into the string deep. I smooth filed it as soon as I noticed it. It hasn't broke yet but it needs a new string.

The chain slipped on the spocket so I adjusted it. Hope I got it correct.

I love my Outback and use it every weekend during bass fishing season.
I called the dealer I purchased it from and he said to bring it to him and he will take it to Hobie this week. I did.

I am a bit nervous as to what may or may not be covered, if anything.
While it has the normal wear and tear I do not drag it to launch area and I am cafeful when I "beach it" during landing.

The crack, peddle design, and sharp string guide flange appear to be design issues so hopefully my "out of pocket" will be minimal.

Again, I love this kayak. I have "sold" many thriough word-of-mouth and reviews I have written.
I am concerned about durability now.

Any light that can be shed on what I might expect would be helpful.
Thanks a million!
Ted

Image

Author:  mmiller [ Fri Jul 08, 2005 10:41 am ]
Post subject:  Defect or wear?

Defect or wear?

The forward drive area, if thin or defective, should be covered even though you may be out of warranty. We can make adjustments to cover obvious errors in production. The rest may be considered wear and tear, but see your dealer and see what they can arrange with our warranty depertment.

Author:  Ted [ Sat Jul 09, 2005 8:54 am ]
Post subject: 

Thanks for the reply Matt.

Yes I understand the wear issue but as far as the hull goes I have never dropped it and I am always careful when landing. It has the usual scratches from use but I have only got 1.5 years of use out of the hull.
The drive insert cracking seems to be an issue with others so I don't think I am alone here.
The Mirage Drive peddle ajustment clips have since been redesigned (beefed up) since my model.
The sharp rudder line guide came that way from the factory.

The kayak has been delivered to the dealer and he is handling it now.
I will know more today I think.
My kayak is still within the 2 year warranty period.

Thanks again for the reply,
Ted

Author:  Ted [ Sat Jul 09, 2005 2:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Happy Ending

All 3 items were fixed.
Got the kayak today.
Fishing tomorrow.
Awesome.

Thanks Hobie!!

Author:  coralsea [ Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:08 am ]
Post subject: 

I have had an Outback for nearly two years. I live in SE Queensland
(Australia). I have had a problem with the crack in the drive slot
- this happened soon after I purchased the kayak. The local Hobie
dealer replaced the hull without any fuss (alway outstanding service from
him! ). The new hull has been good.

I have misaligned my drive unit a couple of times by hitting snags at
a good speed. This is fairly easy to fix. My drive unit has done a lot of
work in salt and fresh water and is still in good condition. The rudder
needs adjusting from time to time (it is a bit flimsy). I would use
my Outback twice a week all year round, sometimes more if the bass
are on.

The local Hobie dealer advises not to lubricate the chains and cogs
in case you pick up sand and grit on the unit which can cause severe wear.
I hose the unit down after use in salt water and oil only the pedal
shafts. The corrosion resistance of both drive unit and kayak fittings
has been excellent. We have a subtropical climate, it is hot and humid
and I am close to the coast. Metal objects rust while you look at them!
Rubber articles perish at high speed here also, but I have not had any
problems with the rubber on the drive unit so far.

All in all I have found the Outback to be an excellent fishing boat. I
have given my Outback a fair working over and some of the places
I fish are pretty rugged on kayak hulls.

Cheers.

Author:  Ted [ Sun Aug 21, 2005 5:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Happy Ending

Ted wrote:
All 3 items were fixed.
Got the kayak today.
Fishing tomorrow.
Awesome.

Thanks Hobie!!


UPDATE Aug. 21, 2005:
Well in my excitement I thought the leaks were fixed. Wrong.
I am now on my 3rd trip tomorrow, to the dealer, to have him haul it to Hobie to see if they can fix it...again.

3 times is getting a bit ridiculous.
I was out about 5 hrs on the water and gathered about 1 gallon of water in the hull.
I tested it by placing the yak on a stand, leveling it, filling it 3/4 with water. There were 4 leak spots at the peddle slip area. 2 leaks were at the spot of repair from my previous two returns to Hobie. I circled the leak points in marker pen. hopefully they will finally seal these leaks.
I have read about others getting their hulls replaced.
I bought mine 2 years ago in August.

The molding is very thin around the peddle area. Hobie has acknowledged this defect. My kayak is sand color.

I am going to ask that this hull be replaced.
What a hassle.

bummed in Encinitas...Ted
:(

Author:  Ted [ Wed Aug 24, 2005 6:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Happy Ending

Ted wrote:

bummed in Encinitas...Ted
:(


GOOD NEWS!!!

Just got word that Hobie is replacing the hull!!

Thanks Hobie.

I am a lifetime Hobie buyer now!
Faith restored.

Ted

Author:  ronbo613 [ Wed Aug 24, 2005 8:28 pm ]
Post subject: 

Hobie is a good company as far as customer service goes. They have a long association with serious surfers and sailors, I assume they want to add kayakers to that list. I've talked with the Hobie factory guys, they are very serious about what they do. The problems that some have experienced will lead to better kayaks in the future. I'm pretty sure that Hobie realizes there are going to have to be some bumps in the road, especially with a new concept like the Mirage drive system. Feedback from users who use the kayaks under real world conditions is one of the best ways Hobie engineers can determine how to make their boats better. If they have to replace a few defective parts, they will do it.
Once you get your new boat, maybe we can do some fishing. You're right down the road from me.

Author:  mmiller [ Thu Aug 25, 2005 2:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Drive Well Issues

Drive Well issues with the Outback.

It is an unfortunate problem, but that is why companies have warranty departments. To help make things right again! We are striving for perfection here, so I know we will get it right.

Some facts about the leaky drive well issues:

It is a thin area of plastic at the front of the MirageDrive well. This is where the drive presses down on the hull when pedaling.

This does appear to involve a range of Outbacks made (mostly) between spring 2004 and early 2005.

This did not appear in earlier models of the Mirage, Mirage Tandem or earlier versions of the Outback.

It does not appear to be a design issue as the design is unchanged.

It does appear to be a production issue. The problem is inconsistant.

It does appear to be most prevelant with one color (sand).

We took several measures over a few months to address the problem. The most recent being earlier this spring.

Author:  mmiller [ Fri Sep 09, 2005 3:22 pm ]
Post subject:  New information

A possible preventative measure...

If the MirageDrive is in the correct position in the well, the forward spine rides on a durable vertical ledge of material. If the drive locking knobs are not kept properly tightened, drives in Hobie Outbacks may be pushed forward when under load, out of position, causing compression of the forward area of the well. This area is not intended to bear the loads of the drive system.

Solution? Keep the locking knobs tight to keep the MirageDrive in the correct position.

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