Updated: Shark takes bite on my kayak 8/28/20 Shelter Cove

The Hobie "Welder Pro" plastic welding tool is more expensive than some of the plastic welders you can find on line, but I prefer and recommend it because its tip has a hole in it which you feed a plastic stick into, so you melt the stick at the same time as you are melting the hull.

Updates and seeking advice.

First and foremost I am ok.  Good news: The x-rays showed no broken ribs or bones in the hand. Bad news: I am still sore as heck in the ribs and the hand still has limited use. Time will heal the body. I am not real excited about getting back into saltwater for awhile. We went to the beach yesterday for the first time and it still felt funny to be around the ocean; however, I am going to get there someday; hopefully sooner than later.

The Kayak: My yellow Hobie Revo 13' has some damage (holes and gouges ). I am wondering if anyone has had experience with plastic welding. I called Hobie to get advice. Hobie has not return my emails or phone calls. I am not feeling love from Hobie  . So I called our local dealer Wind Toys (great folks every time) who provided me information for a local guy who does plastic welding. I sent him pictures of the damage and he shared it could most likely be repaired. Is plastic welding something that will work and hold up over time? I have no experience with this type of work. I am cautious to have the holes repaired and then use the yak again. Not sure it will be worth it.

Starting Over: I will most likely not use this yellow Hobie Revo 13', except as a spare and close in. I am wondering about the new smaller Hobie PA 360. Anyone have an opinion about this yak? Heavier for sure. Harder to self rescue? Does anyone know of any Hobie PA's getting attacked by sharks? Because Hobie has not returned my calls, I am not feeling the love, so I am open for other makes. Any other suggestions for a peddle yak? I will just to get to the demos stage and start over again. 

Thanks,
David

Unfortunately, I only had success reaching out to Hobie on Facebook.  If you don't mind using that site, that's one way to contact them.  Expect 48 hrs for reply.

Hey David when you feel like it let’s go to lake Sonoma and you can you Sams 2020 outback and see what you think of it. I found the PA to be too large for my liking.

2020 PA is gigantic.  My buddy has 2 of them, and I was shocked how huge they are in person.  Thing is a wide, heavy canoe.

Im glad to hear you are ok. If plastic welding is done right it can be stronger than the original. Its funny I can get a hold of a Hobie rep within a day but for repair questions or parts it can take weeks if they get back to me at all.

If you want to explore different brands I stand By Old Town Canoe and I guide out of the Topwater 120. Super stable and performs great!! I can set you up in a demo if interested.

I don't know where I read this but some believe that the Hobie propeller fins seem to mimic a sea lion more than the normal propeller types. But I still think these are all random regardless of what you are in

I'm kind of far from you, but I have an older Adventure/Revo 16 that you can borrow anytime. Using it for a full day of fishing will give you a lot better idea whether it's something you might want to consider, as compared to a brief demo.

I'm kind of far from you, but I have an older Adventure/Revo 16 that you can borrow anytime. Using it for a full day of fishing will give you a lot better idea whether it's something you might want to consider, as compared to a brief demo.

+1 on this.  The Pro Angler is heavy and you have to lift all/nothing.  Why not go with AI?  You can take the weights off on waves plus you will get a larger profile from underneath if you have the trampoline.  More stable & estate too, and sail for range (and motor if you wish ....).

Updates and seeking advice.

First and foremost I am ok.  Good news: The x-rays showed no broken ribs or bones in the hand. Bad news: I am still sore as heck in the ribs and the hand still has limited use. Time will heal the body. I am not real excited about getting back into saltwater for awhile. We went to the beach yesterday for the first time and it still felt funny to be around the ocean; however, I am going to get there someday; hopefully sooner than later.

The Kayak: My yellow Hobie Revo 13' has some damage (holes and gouges ). I am wondering if anyone has had experience with plastic welding. I called Hobie to get advice. Hobie has not return my emails or phone calls. I am not feeling love from Hobie  . So I called our local dealer Wind Toys (great folks every time) who provided me information for a local guy who does plastic welding. I sent him pictures of the damage and he shared it could most likely be repaired. Is plastic welding something that will work and hold up over time? I have no experience with this type of work. I am cautious to have the holes repaired and then use the yak again. Not sure it will be worth it.

Starting Over: I will most likely not use this yellow Hobie Revo 13', except as a spare and close in. I am wondering about the new smaller Hobie PA 360. Anyone have an opinion about this yak? Heavier for sure. Harder to self rescue? Does anyone know of any Hobie PA's getting attacked by sharks? Because Hobie has not returned my calls, I am not feeling the love, so I am open for other makes. Any other suggestions for a peddle yak? I will just to get to the demos stage and start over again. 

Thanks,
David

Hi Dave,

I can relate to what your going through after being in your same shoes going back July 2012. I was on a yellow Hobie Revo 13 just like yours in Capitola. It started with really loud thud behind me to my right. The rear of my kayak came out of the water a few feet, then BAM a GWS head came out of the water with my yak's bow inside its mouth.  I was ejected like a rag doll.

I understand your hesitation about going back to the ocean.  Don't let it stop you.  While I was waiting delivery for my new Hobie, I went out 2 weeks later for a crabbing trip in HMB without a Shark Shield on my OK Trident 13.  I admit that I was full of anxiety.  I had this feeling of apprehension that another GWS was coming back for me.  I kept going out in the salt and slowly my apprehension became less and less.  Personally I don't think a yak color matters and I am firm believer of having a shark shield deployed while in the salt. Currently own a Papaya Orange Revo 13.
When you're ready, I hope you go out again and enjoy the ocean.

Cheers,

Mel

I am not ashamed to admit that I shit myself a little while reading this story.

Does anyone know of any Hobie PA's getting attacked by sharks?

Yes off Vandenberg AFB a few years ago. Late Sept or early October 2014
The case that broke all the supposed rules. Two kayaks were hit that day. If I remember correctly a PA was hit first and Ryan Howell , President of CCKF stayed out under what was the general understanding that once a shark attack happens the shark isn't going to come back for a second taste of plastic. The Shark hit his Outback (I think it was gray-brown in color) I've seen shark damage first hand and in pictures. They've all been scratches or small punctures. Ryan's yak had a big hole in it, where the plastic was peeled back, plus some large punctures. This was from what was estimated to be a 20 foot shark. GWS that size are extremely, extremely, rare