Hobie Cat Forums

Can any of you guys help out?

I bought my AI in June, and from the get go noticed a large amount of water penetrated the hull each time I took it out. There is no obvious damage to any of the hatch seals (I have examined them thoroughly) and the hull is fine too.

It seems to me that the problem is in the manufacturing, and that for reasons unknown to me, the hatch covers on my AI leak like a sieve. This is the case regardless of sea conditions. Of course, it also makes the hatches useless for loading anything into them.

The local Hobie dealer in Vancouver has closed down, and I have not yet been able to make a warranty claim on Hobie.

Any of you guys out there got any suggestions?

What quantity of water are you getting in the hull and under what conditions?
It's normal for a few cupfulls to enter especially if conditions are rough.
Try some dry newspaper internally under each hatch opening and hose around each hatch.
Some have reported damaged bungee domes under the front hatch as a leak source. Check the dome base internally for any holes caused by poor thread cutting.
Also check that the 8" hatch O ring seals aren't twisted.

I discovered massive amounts of water in my TI after it's maiden voyage earlier this year.
When i got home, i discovered that the rear hatch was missing its O ring!
That's the first thing i'd check

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Mickey
2011 AI Golden Papaya
2011 TI Golden Papaya

I forgot to mention the obvious first. If your AI has the below water drain bung in the stern, check the O ring is in good condition.

Check for cracks under the seat, where the seat posts plug into the hull. Or the scuppers.

Easiest to find when you perform a positive pressure leak test.

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"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."
- Ayn Rand