Leaky PA need help

It seems like i have a leak... Last two times ive been out ended up with about a gallon or two in the hull... Kinda bummed but confident i can work it out. Had my yak maybe 3 yrs. pretty certain its not the drain plugs but how am i to tell? Anyone have a recommendation for the best way to find and patch leaks? Light? Soap? Need help... Thanks!


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i would use a light with help from someone to check the top and bottom of where the scupper holes go through. the drains would be easy to check i think by putting a bit of water inside the hull and have it sitting on a steep angle and check if the plugs start showing moisture. can also check the hatches by opening the front hatch and have the yak leaning down towards the nose then spray a hose slowly over the furthest hatch to the rear and work forward while watching for any water draining to the nose. those are a couple ways i have checked stuff but sure there are many others.

If your PA is 2012 or older make sure to check around the drains troughs around the seat deck.
This thread has some pictures of the area I'm talking about. viewtopic.php?f=78&t=53164
If you do find the crack make sure to get with your dealer to see if you are eligible for a warranty claim. Hobie and my dealer treated me really good with mine.

_________________
"I have always found it easier to show people what the coolest things about fishing are, rather than just tell them another fish story."
--Jose Wejebe

Leak test FAQ: http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=12575

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

Thx for tips... I stuck a flood lamp in the hull and couldnt find anything. I guess next I'll be trying the air pressure method looking for soap bubbles....


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I found the best way for me was to fill hull to the water line with water . I Transport my kayak on a trailer (I to have a 2011 PA14) and I just loaded it on the trailer and filled it up and wallla a leak was found. I did it on a clean dry driveway to see it and it started leaking pretty fast. I was also only getting a gallon or two of water after a 5 hour trip.once it started to leak you can locate area.

We typically advise against filling with water due to the weight.

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

Water is 8.34 pounds per gallon. Just speculating here, it would take at a minimum of 20 gallons to fill the hull enough to start getting up on the sidewalls of the scuppers. That's almost 170 pounds bearing down on whatever you kayak is sitting on in addition to the 100+ pounds of the PA. A few more gallons and you could have some real problems depending on how your stand is supporting the hull.
I actually saw another brand of kayak break down a pvc stand and the three foot fall with a hull full of water made a new irreparable crack in the keel.

_________________
"I have always found it easier to show people what the coolest things about fishing are, rather than just tell them another fish story."
--Jose Wejebe

I have it on a trailer with the hobie cradles its seemed pretty stable and the hull was not full only to the water line.

So when my PA is on the garage cart it seems i have a SLOW drip somewhere around the drive, i mean slow maybe one drip every 5 mins. On the water it seems im acquiring about a gallon inside the hull per 3 hr trip. Tried the shop vac bubble method and couldnt locate anything at all. Is it possible the crack is closed but opens up with my weight in the seat and opposing water pressure on the hull out on the lake?? Running out of ideas any help appreciated.... Thx


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How far would you have to drive to a dealer shop? Those guy/gals are trained to figure things out, take pictures and send to the warrenty claims for you. but you ahve to go to a dealer to get a warrenty claim started. Good luck

My leak was in the drive well. Hobie replaced my angler as it was under warranty.

Ok so i found & confirmed my leak.... What should i do next? Try and repair on my own or take to dealer? Its in the stern side of the drive well seems very very small as if its permeating through the hull but puts considerable water in the hull (3-5 gallons) after a morning fishing session...




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Took hull to dealer today and submitted a warranty claim waiting to hear back.


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