Hobie Vantage CT seat repair

Any suggestions on how to repair this? Launch went to all kinds of hell and I smashed the seat.

If the two pieces still mesh together well, two part epoxy should do a decent job. Just avoid 90 second epoxy; that stuff sets up too quick.

They do mesh together. Thanks. I'll give it a try, was a little worried since it's a weight bearing part. Not sure if epoxy is strong enoug. But I'm willing to try.

I would epoxy the joint and let it dry then wrap the joint with mesh that is 6" wide and epoxy over that. It kind of works like rebar in cement, little trick I learned in my RC car facing days. We used shoe glue in place of epoxy. Good luck

http://www.jbweld.com/collections/plastic-composite-pvc/products/j-b-plastic-bonder-syringe

Does this look right for what to use? Thanks.

It looks like that would work just fine

I cracked the front of my boat, reviews raved about this stuff for boat repair (I have mentioned it before on some other thread).  It cost $40, expensive for epoxy, but did the job.  Since there was more in the tubes I attached a some sheet metal to act as a skid plate to the rear allowing my boat to drag the concrete dock at launch and not chisel away my tupperware boat plastic.  Works great.  Before adding the metal, I laid down some fiberglass into the epoxy which worked also, but metal is metal.  So in your case, bring both sides together, glue in a bridge support of some fashion (ie- sheet metal strip) and lay down the epoxy.  Follow the instructions- applying heat before applying the epoxy really makes this stuff bond two sides together well.

Found a link for cabelas. I could probably use a few on some worn areas . Thanks.

Alex

http://www.cabelas.com/product/WEST-SYSTEM-BOAT-REPAIR-KIT/1955512.uts?productVariantId=4085705&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=BingPLA&WT.z_mc_id1=04096795&rid=20&gclid=CNCUwebi-9ACFSoHMgodbUYCcQ&gclsrc=ds

I applied the JB weld, if it doesn't work out I'll try the other stuff.

Any suggestions on how to repair this? Launch went to all kinds of hell and I smashed the seat.

How bad was the launch ? Any videos ?    
Glad your ok ! 

Alex

Any suggestions on how to repair this? Launch went to all kinds of hell and I smashed the seat.

How bad was the launch ? Any videos ?    
Glad your ok ! 

Alex

I launched from MBK with super-fast swells. It didn't look bad, but once we got out there the kayak kept trying to spin like a top because the constant waves were turning it with no "break" in between to keep it straight. It would have been easy in a regular kayak like the Predator or Trident. But a fully rigged 220 pound AI? It was brutal. I ended up doing a pile driver into the seat, hence breaking it. Blah. Matt and I decided to come back and get out through the boat launch because there was too much risk of getting hurt surf landing. Certainly learned my lesson.....

Any suggestions on how to repair this? Launch went to all kinds of hell and I smashed the seat.

How bad was the launch ? Any videos ?    
Glad your ok ! 

Alex

I launched from MBK with super-fast swells. It didn't look bad, but once we got out there the kayak kept trying to spin like a top because the constant waves were turning it with no "break" in between to keep it straight. It would have been easy in a regular kayak like the Predator or Trident. But a fully rigged 220 pound AI? It was brutal. I ended up doing a pile driver into the seat, hence breaking it. Blah. Matt and I decided to come back and get out through the boat launch because there was too much risk of getting hurt surf landing. Certainly learned my lesson.....

Yup ! Always a learning curve. Did you at least catch any fish ?  Or was it a sailing adventure ? Must be a blast to ride one of those in the wind.

Alex

Nah, Matt sailed a bit but 7 second swells is super nasty to deal with even if it was only 2'.  We were hoping to sail but it just wasn't fun in that kind of swell.

We haven't been able to sail in over 6mph winds yet... nasty ocean for months now.

I would suggest reinforcing it with a thin metal brace, overlapping by a few inches on either side. Mainly because you're a big guy and I wouldn't expect epoxy to withstand the lateral pressure if you lean back hard or try to stretch out. Heck, I feel like my Vantage seat frame flexes when I lean back and mine hasn't been snapped in half like yours!

yea, it worked out pretty well. It's actually stronger than before now, ha.