2015 Outback front hatch leak

I rolled over in the salt a couple of weeks ago, the yak was upside down for 3 min or so. It had several gals of water in it. I had the factory bucket in the front hatch and figured it leaked due to no seal between the plastic bucket and the hatch lid.

Just spent an hour practicing re-entry in my pool. I had removed the front factory add-on bucket so it would not leak as it had done last time. I had it rolled over about 7-10 times and a total of about 5 mins upside down. I noticed that it was rolling slowly side to side the last time a I got back on it. I checked and it had 4" deep water in the center hatch area when I looked in. I got it out and turned it upside down with the front elevated slightly to check for leaks. Very heavy, Im guessing 5 gals or so. I found slow dribbles from the control line holes. No major leaks. I let the front end down so the water would get up around the front hatch and the water poured out big time. So, Im estimating that it gets about a gal a minute, or more, thru the front hatch seal when upside down. I had thot the previous leak was due to the bucket in the front hatch, but it was not.

I will contact my dealer.

Link to Hobie thread    http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=55102

I noticed a little water on my first test run.  Now I guess I know where it came from.  I carry a bilge pump in case it takes on to much. 

That's a lot of water. I have the adventure/revo 16 and it's been upside down a few times, and for more than a couple of minutes. It's never gotten anything like that amount of water inside. I'd be interested to hear what the dealer has to say...

Well.....I contacted my dealer. Used blue grease to identify the areas of the hatch that did not make contact. It only makes contact at about 25% of the circumference. Took it to the dealer for them to see. Sent pics, etc. Im told that Hobie is saying," too bad , that's the way they are, they are not made to be water proof." Not acceptable.

"too bad , that's the way they are, they are not made to be water proof."

I'd be shocked if you received the same response from the mfr/designer.

"too bad , that's the way they are, they are not made to be water proof."

I'd be shocked if you received the same response from the mfr/designer.

Yeah, Matt Miller, or some other Hobie official need to know what dealer is giving out that info.  Me things they might not be a Hobie dealer for long.

On my AI front hatch lid I did a little mod for this.

I used a yoga mat, (closed cell foam) and cut it to fit the inside of the front hatch.  Hopefully this will provide a better seal to limit the rate of leak when the boat is upside down.

I've got to try that blue grease trick to check how well it actually seals.  Will post back after the test.

Miller is saying that should not be happening as well, talking to him on Hobie forum.

I took my outback out again and splashed water around and didn't notice any leaks.  It did on the day I was practicing self rescue but I am sure I was all over the place.  If it leaks again I will try the grease. 

very common to get water in the hobies. the twist and stow hatch gasket sucks and the front hatch ones do too.

After an AI sailing trip, my buddy had a lot of water inside his hull.  Mine had only about cup.

He figured out the screws that held the bungees in place didn't have any sealant when it came out of the factory.  He put silicone sealant on the screws and problem fixed.

Hobie has new employees that were doing the trimming and there were some training issues. It has been addressed. They have supplied a thicker seal to me. I will post when I test it in the pool.

Twist hatch leaks,square hatch leaks,the sail insert leaks,rod holder leaks,these were some of the area's that I found hobie leaks.i took some of the silicone friendly grease and took all the inserts and hatches and grease the foam/plastic cardboard gasket  and the seemed to help alot

Hobie has new employees that were doing the trimming and there were some training issues. It has been addressed. They have supplied a thicker seal to me. I will post when I test it in the pool.

Mike, Thank You for posting this! I fished Albion open and had to literally pump out almost 2 gallons of water and dump my baitwell, I felt like I was sinking. It was a very uncomfortable feeling opening up match OTW in the WX to say the least! Thanks Cam for the use of the bilge. Figured there was a problem. Got home filled her up looking for a crack and nothing. Hmmm
Fished TRW, again lots of water inside but not as bad as Albion due to the fact I wasn't taking many over the bow. Went down and fished CCKF and man it was windy out of Cayucus. Wind waves over 2', lots of waves over the bow. Got in, crazy surf landing and sure enough almost 3 gallons of water!! Thank god my litho battery is sealed cause it would of been toast.

I did the grease test tonight and yup, sure enough, maybe 1/2 of the seal is touching if that. Damit that suks.

I will be contacting Hobie. Did you already install the new hatch seal? Picts? Product#? Any info would be great! Thanks again Mike!

Mike

About 2 months I fished with a rookie on his brand new 2015 Outback.  It was his first time the ocean.  He was grabbing something in the back and rolled his Outback.  He did a quick a self rescue with a couple of us assisting.  When we got back to the beach I helped him carry his kayak.  It felt really heavy only to find out it had about 3 gallons of water inside. 

My 2015 Revo 13 has been through bad weather and punched through waves but hardly takes in water.