Hobie Mirage Outback in need of some work

Had this Yak for almost 10 years. In need of some serious work!

First my paddle is broke. One end got stuck in the mud at low tide and I never found it again. Then the rudder is screwed. The line with the bungee isn't connected to the handle so if I try to turn left or right the rudder pops out. Tried re zip tying it but they keep slipping. Also has this big chunk missing, and I just realized a rod is popping out of my flipper. I also just found out from a thread here these models in the time period I bought had a problem with cracking? That would explain the magic water leak I can never find. Also the bungies and such are old rotted and need to be replaced. Oh yeah and lost a wheel so I have a mismatched harbor freight cotter pinned wheel too. I'm in rough shape haha.

 Should I spend the money fixing this, Hobies parts are expensive. Or should I just try and get a new one, leave this one as is for company, kayakless fishing buddies? Besides the broken issues, it's also old, was stored flat on it's bottom in the sun, and is faded. Thanks.

Just checked my serial# and it does fall in the defective cracked hull range....

Where to start?
Problem with your rudder line?  Have you googled Hobie rudder repair?  That's where I learned how to repair the same issue on one of my Hobies.
Chunk missing out of rudder?  If your Hobie is tens years old, you have the old style rudder which only cost $15 to replace.  I know since I've replaced two of the old style rudders.
Mystery leak?  I had the same problem with my oldest Sport.  Weak spot on the front end of the drive well.  Over time, the pressure of the drive wears the plastic eventually creating a leak.   I was told that at one type Hobie had a fix for the design error.  That time has long past.  I use tube of fiberglass repair stuff spread over a sheet of fiberglass cloth.
Rod (mast) sticking out at bottom of flipper?  The marine goop used to seal fishfinder holes (holes drilled to run wires through the hull) has been working for me.  I also trimmed about 3/4 inch of the rod off so it would not stick out even if the goop failed.  The trimming tip was discovered by accident when I snapped off 3/4 inch of the top of the rod trying to straighten a bent rod.  You may need to file a flat spot on the top part of the mast so that the set-screw can grip.
Bungee material and end pieces are cheap.
Flat bottom from exposure to heat?  I purchased an Adventure Island that had to deep dimples on the bottom from being stored on the trailer rack, right side up.  This may work for you to correct a flat bottom.  Blocks inside the hull, with wedges forced in to expand the depressions and then stored upside down in the hot sun may reshape the hull.  Keep at it until you get the result you want.

And if all this fails, how much do you want for the Hobie?  Just kidding, the wife thinks I have too may already.

Thanks, the chunk missing isn't the rudder, it's by the anchor clete in the picture. Where is it $15 to replace? I see the upgrade kit for over $100, the twist and stow, is it worth it to pay to upgrade from old up down?

Part of me thinks I should just ghetto rig what I can and buy a new one, it served me well for so long, and it would be nice to have a spare, even if it's junky.

I emailed Hobie to see if they might be generous and still send me the repair kit due to defectiveness.

Thanks for the advice, looking for some on fixing vs. buying a new one. Probably just looking for someone to give me an excuse to upgrade LOL.

After closer look at photo with flipper, THAT is a big hole.  Don't know what to say about fixing that other than trying fiberglass cloth.  The $15 rudder replacement came from Austin Kayak Company web site.  You can't upgrade to the twist and stow rudder system for the older rudder system.  Different hull design.  I have had more trouble with the twist and stow system than with the original system.  The newer models have a different style (shark fin) replacing the twist and stow.

How did the hull get that big hole?  Is the hull brittle from exposure to the weather?  Maybe it is time to cut your losses and sell the Mirage drive and junk the hull and start looking for a newer Outback.  If nothing else fill the hull with pool noodles so if you get more holes you hopefully won't sink. 

The hole came from the cleat tearing off from the weight of the anchor, taking the piece with it. I unscrewed the cleat and put it farther up the hull. Have the piece around here somewhere I think.

that boat is pretty old, and the cleat hole is not the only issue with that model.  Sell it for whatever you can get and recommend you move on.  you don't want to be out OTW and wondering.  I've tried to repair that exact same model.  Its a losing battle.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=20109.0

The hole came from the cleat tearing off from the weight of the anchor, taking the piece with it. I unscrewed the cleat and put it farther up the hull. Have the piece around here somewhere I think.

If you still have the piece for the hole you could plastic weld it back on. 

Thanks for the advice. So you don't think it would be better to keep as a spare for a fishing buddy? Better to just make some back for the next one?

I'd call Hobie and see what they would charge to repair it.

Ask yourself this...

Would you feel safe on that thing 4-5 miles out at sea? Would you be able to concentrate on fishing?

I wouldn't.

I think that's your answer.

Ask yourself this...

Would you feel safe on that thing 4-5 miles out at sea? Would you be able to concentrate on fishing?

I wouldn't.

I think that's your answer.

I was thinking the same thing but did not say it.  I would also not put a buddy in it. 

I don't go 4-5 miles out to sea. The only ocean it sees in pretty close to shore. And I wouldn't even take it out without the rudder, but I fixed that now. Putting a buddy in it would be here on the delta right next to me.

Have you thought about stuffing the hull full of pool noodles?  I think I have 12 or so Monster noodles  in my Pro Angler's hull