Scupper cart problems.

        So a couple of weeks ago I went to Folsom for the second time and enjoyed the heck out of it with the couple of lost fish and just cruising around in general. Until I had to load up and go home... The beach+ my loaded kayak was the end of my little scupper cart. It broke at the top support bar where there was a weak weld, that apparently happens a whole lot to others.. But wait!!! There's more!
       
      I happened to be deafened from all of this happening by my headphones and some music in my ears. So I am pulling my yak up to the truck and I feel something vibrating the handle I am pulling and go to give it a looksie and wouldn't you know, my carts wheels, which are caked in the super grainy sand of Folsom lake are grinding on the bottom of my pa because the dang cart broke.





        Now I am not one to usually worry a ton about scratches and dings in a kayak, but one of these rubs really took a bite out of my kayaks bottom side. I would say its easy to clearly tell with your hand that some plastic had been shaved off undoubtedly. Now I am second guessing my cart constantly. Kind of driving myself mad being paranoid about it.
       
        Adventure sports took care of the cart with a BRAND NEW cart and an extra set of sleeves as well, I was a bit impatient at first but everything worked out thanks to great service on their end. My main concerns now are, How can I fill in the small divot in the bottom side of my kayak? (I did push on it quite hard and it wouldn't budge) so should I even be worried about it at all anyway? What steps have you personally taken to ensure your cart will not harm your kayak?


 Here are a couple of pictures I took of the damage to my kayak.( Not Nikon quality, but it give you an idea.) The smaller of the two rashes is deeper than it looks.

Hard to tell from the pics, but from what I can tell that looks like the underside of most all my yaks.
Go into your garage at night, take a flashlight and put it up against the plastic to see if it gets lighter/brighter when moved over the rub mark (might need another person to hold the light while you put your head down the hatch!).

How can I fill in the small divot in the bottom side of my kayak? (I did push on it quite hard and it wouldn't budge) so should I even be worried about it at all anyway?

All kayaks will get scratched up with use. No need to worry about it.

What steps have you personally taken to ensure your cart will not harm your kayak?

Stay away from those Hobie scupper carts. I have seen a few of them fail in that exact same spot. It seems Hobie only tack welded the support bar in 2 spots instead of doing a complete weld. I would use Wheeleez kayak cart instead.

Are those the hobie trax wheels with the smaller beach wheels?  If so, those don't work that well on the PAs, the wheels definitely rub.  I think they make the Hobie Trax with bigger wheels and more clearance space.

Cut two tennis balls so they fit over the tubes. (One for each tube) This will raise the cart a bit higher and will also act as shock absorbers

These are the foam filled wheels that are recommended for the pa along with the heavy duty cart. I fully tightened the black clamps well up the arm to ensure the kayak doesn't touch any part of the cart accept the black clamps. Tennis balls are next.

The breakage seems to be inherit to Hobie carts. You are not the only one trust me. It seems Hobie doesn't want to hear this but will replace the cart at your dealer. I think they are afraid of a recall as I know of 10 from speaking to others on Face book kayaking forum. This is a small sample so I'm sure its bigger. I would still do the tennis ball just because we rarely remove stuff from the kayak before transporting. Its worse on the PA as they are a lot heavier therefore they are breaking exactly where your did.

Going to see about thick foam inserts in the gap between the clamps and support bar with the Hobie foam over it. As well as paracord between three scupper insert posts as well. The scuppers are reinforced so I'm not worried about them so much.

The welds are worthless on the Hobie scupper carts, they won't last long. Getting the cart welded professionally is a relatively inexpensive option, or if you know a welder/are a welder etc.

I got mine welded back together at a shop here in WA, they welded all four joints for less $20. Definitely the way to go if you go down the scupper route. Wheelez are great too though