Unbalanced Outback

Hello all

Tried to search the forum for an answer , but did not find one.
My friend have an Outback and is complaining that as he puts it in the water the kayak is unbalanced and lean towards the right, he also feel the kayak puling to the right when he pedals.

Did anyone encounter an issue like that ? or know what to look for?

So far we advised him to look for:
1. deformities of the hull - he is saying he can't see any
2. any gear left inside the hull - there is none
3. place the kayak on the water without any gear - no change

Any help will be appreciated .

Zohar

Is it new, or a new problem?
How has it been stored? If it has been compressed down on one side it may have greater bouyancy on the other

Sounds like there may be a hull deformity of some sort, but a number of things could be causing this. How has the kayak been stored between uses? What year is it. Photos taken directly on from each quarter of the boat may tell the story. Are you able to take a photo of the boat floating on the water with no gear in it?

_________________
Howie Strech
Parts & Accessories Product Manager
Hobie Cat USA

Thank you for your answers , will ask him to take photos.
He bought it 2nd hand, he doesn't know the year, will ask him to get the serial.

Older Outbacks had a different bottom shape. A pronounced middle section. The boat was built for weight and if not enough weight... they would tip side to side until the "shelf(s)" would contact the water. Add gear and a typical larger guy and they would settle on the shelfs.

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

my 2016 outback did the same thing since brand new - leans to the right. Measurements from left side of center hatch to the deck below, and from the right side of center hatch to deck below - show 5mm difference. Enough that the foam reinforcements underneath my PA upgraded hatch only supports the right hand side in reality for stand up fishing (the top deck is 5mm closer to the bottom of the hull on that side)

Loading all my gear (fishfinder, radio, wiring for fishfinder,paddle, steel priest etc) on the left side of the kayak seems to balance it out "leanwise" better when standing infront of it looking at it - but mine still has flex on the left side of my hatch when standing due the foam blocks being too short to do anything on that side, and to be honest when sitting in it Im still pretty sure it leans right slightly

It lives on a half deflated air mattress in my garage (no sun, great hull support contours itself perfectly)