Looking for leak in Hobie kayak...

I've been getting a bit more water in my AI recently (measured in cups, not gallons) and was wondering where it was coming from. The most likely culprits would be the front hatch, rear hatch, and rudder lines. This video provides a definitive answer...

I had suspected the rudder line holes to be a main source of leaks for years. If I carry a heavy load in the tank well, the leak gets worst likely because those holes would have more chances to be submerged. I remember seeing some kayaks have rubber boots installed to seal those holes.

I had suspected the rudder line holes to be a main source of leaks for years. If I carry a heavy load in the tank well, the leak gets worst likely because those holes would have more chances to be submerged. I remember seeing some kayaks have rubber boots installed to seal those holes.

Yes, Hobies come with teeny little rubber grommets that fit inside the plastic tubes, and hug the spectra rudder lines. No doubt those help some when new, but they tend to slide out after a short while, and eventually decay. Besides, those are not an option with the thicker (amsteel) lines that I’m using. But, in the video, it seems to me that most of the water is coming in around the outside of the plastic tubes themselves. That should be easily fixable with, say, Goop, but it’s good to be able to remove them, so not yet sure that I want to do that. Still trying to figure out the best option to reduce the leakage…

I transport my Passport in the bed of my truck. Often, if there is a ramp available, I will back the truck right to the waterline, and put the kayak straight into the water from the truck bed. I've noticed significant water ingress doing this, as it dips the rudder rod thru-hull into the water.

Of note - the Passport has a rod style rudder, not a cable style. The grommet that the rod passes through is pretty big, with at least 1/8" gap all around.

This might be a problem for me this winter, when I launch frequently at EB regional lakes, where thorough inspection is the norm. This kayak is a PITA to dewater the inside, since the only hatch is the center and it has several foam blocks that trap water from running front to back. Probably gonna install a hatch in the front specifically to be able to dewater more effectively.

I will back the truck right to the waterline, and put the kayak straight into the water from the truck bed. I've noticed significant water ingress doing this, as it dips the rudder rod thru-hull into the water.

How about going bow in first instead if this is an issue?

Some handy inventor/fabricator out there should devise a little bilge pump-type suction straw, like Mr Thirsty at the dentist, to mop up minor leaks. Maybe a double duty live well aeration/hull desiccation device.

Bass ProHobie can sell it in stores only

I will back the truck right to the waterline, and put the kayak straight into the water from the truck bed. I've noticed significant water ingress doing this, as it dips the rudder rod thru-hull into the water.

How about going bow in first instead if this is an issue?

I have thought about carrying it the other way 'round in the truck, but I'd rather the rudder hang over the end than push against the back of the cab.

I could just not be lazy and wheel the kayak to the water, haha. It's sooo easy to just dump it in the water directly though. Doesn't even touch the ground usually.

It also seems to always accumulate a couple tablespoons of water in the hull anyway, even if I do wheel to the launch.  I'm certainly not worried about it, except for passing inspection, especially when I do get lucky enough to fish consecutive days.

Some handy inventor/fabricator out there should devise a little bilge pump-type suction straw, like Mr Thirsty at the dentist, to mop up minor leaks. Maybe a double duty live well aeration/hull desiccation device.

Bass ProHobie can sell it in stores only

AI owners have installed bilge pumps (manual and electric) and such. Here's some examples from the Hobie forum:

https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=46632&sid=30d23b81127e2279df0048326009e02e

Personally, I think that's excessive, even on an AI, where strong winds and rough weather will have the boat semi-submerged much of the time. I just want to keep out as much water as the design allows. Then I'll deal with opening the middle hatch and using a manual pump if I'm ever doing a Mr X kind of thing, where I'm in rough water for days on end...

Success!

I Gooped around where the rudder line tubes enter the kayak, and spread some Goop on the inside too. There was previously a lot of water infiltration around these. I believe that this made the difference.

I also made sure that the tubes were all attached to the top inside the hull. This creates a small air bubble which is supposed to decrease inflow around the lines.

I was out for 5+ hours on Saturday, and no water at all in the hull. It was not rough conditions, but I'm sure I would have had a fair bit of water inside if I had not done this.

Yay!

Success!

I Gooped around where the rudder line tubes enter the kayak, and spread some Goop on the inside too. There was previously a lot of water infiltration around these. I believe that this made the difference.

I also made sure that the tubes were all attached to the top inside the hull. This creates a small air bubble which is supposed to decrease inflow around the lines.

I was out for 5+ hours on Saturday, and no water at all in the hull. It was not rough conditions, but I'm sure I would have had a fair bit of water inside if I had not done this.

does water wick down the actually rudder line?

Success!

I Gooped around where the rudder line tubes enter the kayak, and spread some Goop on the inside too. There was previously a lot of water infiltration around these. I believe that this made the difference.

I also made sure that the tubes were all attached to the top inside the hull. This creates a small air bubble which is supposed to decrease inflow around the lines.

I was out for 5+ hours on Saturday, and no water at all in the hull. It was not rough conditions, but I'm sure I would have had a fair bit of water inside if I had not done this.

does water wick down the actually rudder line?

Supposedly, if the rudder line tubes are held in the clips (actually, half-attached pad eyes) that keep them at the top inside the hull, then little-or-no water will wick down the rudder lines themselves. I'll have to test it with a garden hose and camera to be certain, but even if it leaks, I'm sure it's now a very small amount. In my case at least, almost all of the water was leaking in around the tubes, and that leakage has definitely been eliminated. Getting the tubes out will now be a hassle, but I don't envision the need to do that ever again...