should i add flotation to an older oasis?

hi there,

the boat i'm taking down the MS river is a new old stock oasis (it's serial numbered as a 2010, but before the two-steering hull re-design). on that trip (and including the people onbaord) i'll probably be taking about 450 to 500 pounds of the allowed 550 pound capacity.

inspired by roadrunner's "summertime" post, i've done some rescue practice ... and although i have yet to fully load a boat and then flip it over, the craft seems very "water worthy." i've also had it on some fairly choppy fresh water and it's always behaved perfectly. there's no hint that the vessel wants to plunge to the very bottom of davey jones' locker.

yet, the coming events have me to thinking ...

if i were to go out and buy an oasis today, i know it comes with additional flotation factory installed into the yak -- i'm assuming it's something along the lines of molded styrofoam blocks ... hobie thought it was a good enough of an idea that they added floatation to theirs; do you think i should consider adding some to mine?

if so, what and where?

as always, thanks in advance for any thoughts on the matter. i'm especially interested to hear from anyone, owning any model, that's already added extra float to their boat.

It takes a lot to sink a Hobie. Even without flotation, dead air space will turn it into an unmanageable monolith.


That said, flotation is cheap insurance. "Pool Noodles" can be found just about anywhere and can be jammed in along the sides (make sure they don't interfere with your rudder control lines) or left free floating in the hull. What ever you get, be sure to use a "closed cell" foam. I think you want a minimum of about 40# flotation (I think that may be what Hobie uses).

I have a 2010 Outback and shortly after I bought it, I installed 5 pool noodles along both sides of the seating area (10 total)......4 foot noodles from the $ store.
I lashed them together once inside the hull with 1/8" nylon line so they would not slip out of position.
I cut and installed another noodle just in front of the mirage drive area...easy to access from the front hatch.

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR