2019 Outback water in the hull after self rescue

Quick question for the group here. So I got my brand new Outback a little while ago and went to Steve Creeks Reservoir to practice self rescue before to take it to the ocean.

First I have to say that it is a pretty stable boat and that it doesn't flip easily which is a good thing and one of the reason I got this model

I had everything tight up; bow hatch secured with bungees, central hatch locked... After a couple of tries I got the self rescue down (well I ripped my favorite short off in the process...) to realize when I got home that I have about a gallon of water in the hull. I contacted Kayak Connection and they mentioned that it is normal when you flip it. Well it never happened with my Predator 13 and I was wondering what everybody else experience is.

Would like to avoid to get too far in the ocean in rough water on a leaking boat.

Thanks in advance
Frenchy (aka JC)

PS: i finally got back from my Europe trip (yeah I lost 2 weekends) and hoping to finish the first level of rigging by next weekend.

Every hobie mirage yak takes on water bro. Theres a lot more possible entry points.  Ive owned six hobies not 1 was ever excluded water entirely even during normal uprite usage 4get about flippn

Every hobie mirage yak takes on water bro. Theres a lot more possible entry points.  Ive owned six hobies not 1 was ever excluded water entirely even during normal uprite usage 4get about flippn

^^^^  My Hobbies are the only one that take on water (while upright) among all the kayaks I've owned.  It used to freak me out, the thought was a small amount could become a large amount.  But I am used to it by now (not really) and I always carry a pump with me no matter which kayak.

My 19 outback takes water thru the front hatch even with the improved front hatch seal. I use the front hatch liner and make sure nothing that needs to stay dry is in there. Then you can just take the liner out and pour the water out. The 19 likes to dig its nose into waves and I’ll usually have a few cups of water in there at the end of the day.

Looks like it is normal for a Hobie. I just need to get used to it I guess and get myself a pump Thanks

Looks like it is normal for a Hobie. I just need to get used to it I guess and get myself a pump Thanks

carry spung in ur hull 2.  lots of geometry in hobie hull that u gotta suk h20 outta noox n crannies n isht that pump cant reech

The rudder lines in the back take in water too.  Check the sleeves that cover the rudder line and make sure they are inserted in.  If they are not its like having a 1/4 inch open hole.

I don't have an outback, but do have a couple of Hobies. The front hatch is surely the main culprit. There are a lot of tricks on the Islands to reduce water thru the front hatch. You might want to look those up to see if any are applicable to the '19 outback...

Thank you all. I just wish Hobie will do something to address the issue as it is a recurring theme that I expect a premium brand to address

I'm afraid Hobie is one of those premium brands who does not really care. As NowhereMan mentioned, front hatch on AI/TI has been a known problem for about 10 years now, with reasonably simple DIY fix - not clear why it should be a required DIY though. I guess other models have similar known issues. To compare - my OK Ultra has never had any water in the hull, while both AI and TI take water even in the very calm weather.

My wilderness t-140's don't take on any water even after knarley surf wipeouts. I have always felt it odd that a company with the engineering genius to come up with mirage drive, ...cant come up with a solid water-tight front hatch design. Oh well, having mirage-drive makes it all worth while. Get some pool noodles and suck it up Frenchy.

Looks like it is normal for a Hobie. I just need to get used to it I guess and get myself a pump Thanks

You weren't planning to get a pump?

For the AI, the most popular fixes seem to be the following:

1) Pipe insulation around the lip of the hatch opening.

2) A section of yoga mat covering the inside of the hatch.

3) A "shower cap" like thing that covers the opening before the regular plastic hatch cover goes on.

I've tried all of these and they work, but I actually prefer something different which seems to work just as well and is, IMHO, simpler and longer lasting.

I make a closed loop out of 5/8" thin-walled (1/16", I believe) flexible silicone tubing, sized so that it just fits into the "well" around the hatch opening. When the lid is closed, it presses against the tubing, which then fills in where there would otherwise be gaps as the kayak flexes. I can post pictures if this description is not clear...

Mark, would love a pic or two.

My Revolution barely takes on water when it's upright. Even in quite rough water, I only get perhaps a cup of water inside the hull, and some of that drips in when I open and close the hatch in front of the seat.  I can quickly soak up the water with a sponge when I get out of the water.  After a typical day of kayak fishing, there isn't enough water in the hull to be worth mopping up.  However, the kayak does take on some water during roll practice, probably because the front hatch is underwater.  For me, the lesson is this: If you flip your kayak over, flip it back upright ASAP, in order to minimize the amount of water which gets inside the hull.