Help to find and fix the leak

My nearly three year old Hobie is taking on water, slowly, and slightly more every month or so.  I can sponge it out every 60 to 90 minutes, but I'd rather keep my mind on my fishing skills and not my old high school and college swimming skills.  I'm not very handy at fixing things like this, so if anyone thinks they can help or know someone who can, let me know.  Or, any advice on finding it and fixing it (if you can guide me through the process) would also help.

I get water in my hull right away when I put in, and it continues to come in throughout each trip.  Rough water means more water.  It seems to be coming in from the back of the boat somewhere.

Thanks.

HB

If you can identify where the leak is coming in I can fix it. If you think its the back put some water in the hull with some red dye in it and look for the water to weep out. It should be below the waterline. Its not coming from the peddle area is it? Allen, Patrick and Jonesz had some issues with the area the the drive unit is in. 

 

  It's important to locate the source of the leak, there are a few places to look at.  First is the drive well, typically the front area that the drive sets on.  On older 07' and earlier models the hull cracked where the front of the drive rests. (I've had 2 hulls replaced for this)It's easy to check this location.  Get a flash light (Or any bright light) and lay it inside the hull pointing the light  back at the forward drive well.  If the drive well is cracked, you should be able to see the crack from outside looking down into the drive well. ( inspecting the front point of contact for the drive)
  If you see a crack, contact your local Hobie dealer about getting a new hull under warranty.
The next area to look at, is the scupper holes in the back.  (Where the Hobie wheels or carts insert) I've heard of at least one hull cracking in one of those holes.
 
  Water can enter the holes where the steering cables exit the hull, but generally the amount of water that leaks into the hull through them is tiny.

  I have a few more ideas, next, the hatches?  My outback was sitting by my campsite and during a heavy downpour (At BAM IV) my hull filled with at lease a 1 1/2 gallons of water.  My rear hatch seal was not "Sealed"
  When I got home I removed the front hatch and used silicon sealant around the opening, then reinstalled the hatch and cleaned up the silicon that was squished out.  For the rear hatch, I didn't remove it completely as 2 of the screws (bolts) were used to support the steering and rudder lift cables, and I didn't want to mess with them, so I ran a bead of silicon around the hatch exterior.
  My hull doesn't take on water now.

  So, to recap, check the forward drive well, check both scupper holed in the back, and possibly reseal your round hatches.

Oh one more place to look at, not so common on the Outback, is the seat peg holes.  I guess on some Adventures these area's have split.  (Where the seat pegs insert)


Good luck and let us know what you find

Troy

 

 I'm not very handy at fixing things like this, so if anyone thinks they can help or know someone who can, let me know.  Or, any advice on finding it and fixing it (if you can guide me through the process) would also help.

An easy way to find a leak is flip your boat over, take and spray the boat down with some soapy(dish soap) water from a spray bottle,then take air compressor, pull you drain plug pressurize the inside just slightly and look for the bubbles. Works like a champ you will find even the smallest hole. Just make sure you don't over pressurize it and make sure your hatches are on tight.

Bryan,

This link should help you as long as you can find some sort of air compressor or a vacuum that can blow as well as suck (sin coast would have a field day with that line)

http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=12575

once you find the source of the leak, fixing it is pretty easy.  if its a small hole you can hot glue it or plastic weld it with a heat gun.  i don't live too far from you so i could try to help with that.  you might be able to email hobie and see if they may send you a few weld rod pieces, i know some other kayak manufacturers do that.

although if its coming in through the rudder line, which would be my first guess, then i don't know what the best fix would be. water seems to like to "ride" the rudder lines into the hull, but i don't imagine it would be as much as you say.

Have the same problem with my old OB.  After  hours of OTW time, it takes on a couple gallons!  I do have an air compressor, but haven't tried that method yet.  I did try filling it with water though, as much as I could stand to fill it (which was a lot) and didn't find the leak...  Feel like it may only present itself under load.  Still need to fix this puppy though, so i'll give some of these tips a shot.

The cable holes can be sealed with silicone. Not much if any water will get in. It will eventually wear out. The compressor deal sounds fine if you have one. We do that at the shop with autos. The dye will work too.

Thanks guys...if I only had an air compressor...bmb or Ravensblack, I will pm you for more details/help.

Thanks again.  Now back to grading papers.

HB

Thanks guys...if I only had an air compressor...bmb or Ravensblack, I will pm you for more details/help.

Thanks again.  Now back to grading papers.

HB

Please tell me you own a shop vac then! A towel and a shop vac will work if you don't have a compressor.

The cable holes can be sealed with silicone. Not much if any water will get in. It will eventually wear out.

I hadn't thought of that at all but that sounds like a great idea for my current situation. thanks craiggers!

to find the leak in my boat, i just squirted a bunch of red food coloring in the hull, then filled it with water.  Worked like a charm.

I supported the hull with like a dozen 4x4 pieces along the length first....
(turned out it was a couple of pad eyes just above the water line)

Thanks again...those are all great tips.  Now if this stack of tests was just a bit shorter, I might find some time to try them.  My current hunch is that it is the seat post.  Second guess is the holes for the rudder.  The water flows from back to front, so I don't think it is a crack near the drive unit.

I do have a shop vac, but it only goes one way (cheap model).  I'll see if someone in my neighborhood has an air compressor available.

Thanks.

Had a thought, what about an air mattress pump?  I've got like 5 of them puppies!