2021 OB cracked hull

UPDATE:

After I started posting up on the Hobie Facebook pages, NCKA, and a few other yak forums, I received an answer. The hull is being replaced. Get loud and angry,...shouldn't have to, but apparently that is what's required from Hobie customer service in order for them to process a warranty claim in a timely manner. In my case it's been a little over 6-8 weeks to get an acceptable answer out of them. And that answer was pretty fucking funny, all things considered.

The response back to my dealer after they were notified of the failed weld not holding was:

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"Improper storage is not warranty…
Fix it correctly it won’t open – he can use a KC Welder on it himself… it looks like it wasn’t fixed right if it’s opening back up...
Also if he is still leaving it on it’s side long term – its distorting the plastic and will likely break again – can’t leave it on PVC...
Sorry he’s upset but this is the issue,...
 You can get him a new hull but it won’t be free – there will be a cost component"

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I get hella bent, and decide to fire up the "I need to talk to your manager" social media fingers, post up on all of the kayak pages that have a large audience, including the Hobie forums. I noted in the preceding posts that I got a submission message stating that the post would be reviewed by an admin prior to posting to the board. Welp,...here's an excerpt of that admin's response to my posting,...which will not be posted to the board, because evidently they don't want warranty issues on their boards,...hrm,...

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"Rob,
 
I spotted this post about your Outback and reviewed the claim with J. Airing this in the forums is not the place for this to be resolved.
 
This claim was not denied but rather the suggestion of welding the crack was the first attempt at remedy. Repairing is always the first option. Only if not repairable do we go to replacement.
 
From the warranty page:
 
<<Hobie, at its option, will repair or replace a product found to be defective under the terms and within the period of this Warranty.>>
 
In your case, B has now showed us that the repair he did has failed, so a replacement hull would be ordered for you upon claim review.
 
Contact B for information about receiving this replacement hull. It may be possible to use a hull he has in stock… and we would replace that.
 
Note: We do not recommend storage or trailering on stiff PVC due to distortions to the hull. The weight of the kayak and gear pushing down over time can cause the scuppers to push up into the cockpit floor. PVC unless it is flexible enough to conform to the hull’s rocker shape will point load on the scuppers. This can result in cracks as the plastic fatigues under the distortion load. Polyethylene can “cold-flow” under constant loads higher than expected. Like hanging the boat from the handles… this over time can tare the plastic and fail.
 
J had simply suggested that the PVC bunks could be the cause. He has seen a thing or two in his years in the warranty claims seat.
 
M"

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Interesting in how the first response indicated that there would be a cost component to replacing the hull, while the second response, after social media blasting, resulted in a weak sauced back pedal, stating that the warranty claim hadn't been denied, and that J has seen a thing or two. Thanks J, I've been at yak fishing for over 10 years with multiple boats, I've seen some things too. Namely, that this has been the worst customer service experience I've had in a long time, especially in the normally hella chill yak fishing industry.

I'm going back and removing the Hobie reps names, at the request of my local dealer, as he wound up taking some shit from Hobie for sharing "internal information". My dealer wouldn't have felt the need to do that if I wasn't breathing down his neck, patiently steaming, waiting for information from Hobie. A suggestion to Hobie, which I'll share with them after I receive my new hull, is to invest more time and effort into your customer service. We pay a lot for these boats, and most of us believe that part of that high dollar cost, that high Hobie value, is the benefit of customer service and warranty support. My claim was an easy one, and they totally fucked it up, pissed me off and got me on social media. I fucking HATE social media,...with a goddam passion. But hey, drop some real life names of real life Hobie employees who are responsible for making calls,...holy fucking shit, you get a phone call from your dealer AND an email from the dude combing the Hobie forum posts. I kinda figure that process might be made easier on everybody if they just honor their friggin warranty properly.

A final word on the pvc bunks. I have mine set so that they flex, bow in the middle, allow sag, so that there is no pressure on the boat. Given the history of the '19+ Outbacks, they should make sure they beef up their molding process and build stronger boats. Ya can't mass produce these things, have the majority of owners storing them a certain way (on pvc bunks atop carts and trailers), and then invalidate all warranty claims by suggesting the potential sagging or deformation of a plastic tub will lead that quickly to cracks and other hull integrity issues. I've not seen the same issues with other brands of kayaks, just Hobie. If Hobie wants to offer something with their upcoming annual price hike lineups, perhaps a better designed built boat, less susceptible to hull failure would be a better move than hawkin' a fucking red PA14 with Ike's name plastered on the dam thing (no offense to anyone who has one - they're cool lookin).

Ok, I'm done typing I think. I'm not good at this stuff, forum stuff. I always feel whiny and bitchy. Thanks for your patience and support, it helped make me feel better and boosted my willingness to act upon my annoyance.

Cheers, and hope to be back out soon, perhaps at a hookup somewhere with a brand "new" boat.

 

I will say this ... there were a couple of things mentioned in this thread that would cause me, if mgr at Hobie and seen this thread, to serious consider replacing the hull ASAP. Who cares. 

BIG WIN!!!

 

I am with Otis..... this forum and its members are their prime candidates for when new Kayaks are needed..... as a business owner would not make this a hard proceedure.... if it is broke fix it.... if it is weak fix the next model and consider a recall if more than 5% have real  issues in the warrantee period.  Problems only multiply when avoided get it fixed get it done and move on.

The bad blood is worth a whole lot of money.

Troy

to avoid editing a report I took the time to read this entire thread.  effen scary.

I also have a new Hobie Outback.  same color as the OP.  I can't even imagine the loading at that location that would cause that crack.  maybe the weight of the paddler pushing down at the localized area?  or standing up and having the weight push down right there?  I dont get it. 

I am glad the OP found a amicable resolution and sorry it took so much effort.  I too am a huge fan of Billy at Windtoys.  he is very reasonable.  I store my kayak per kayak standards.  upside down supported in two places.  but my wife just moved the car, and I am going to flip it and look at the same location. 

very perplexing.

DarthBaiter,...that is one of my go-to nicknames for anything requiring a nickname. Cheers to you good sir.

Got hooked up with the new hull just last week and got her out on the water for a shakedown cruise before a raft of planned Kokanee hunts. Same color hull, same everything. Windtoys took care of me,...I highly recommend their services!

As far as the crack,...I have no idea what caused it. I do use my boat,...a lot. I'm not the smallest or fattest, but I am a big dude. All well within the ranges Hobie suggests for the Outback. I'm unable to stand due to a past knee injury (although the seat riser kit + stand assist rope might/will help - haven't installed on this boat yet).

I'm afraid all I can figure is that each boat is unique, and some will just fail over time. Hobie's storage standards have nothing to do with the best way to store the boat. Those standards exist to nullify warranties. No way did storing my yak on flexible PVC bunks cause this crack - and if that is somehow what happened, Hobie has bigger issues with their production line pumping out supremely overpriced weakened products prone to fail. The warranty exists as a catch all. Therefore, catchall em right back. When you request a warranty claim on the hull, the first of a few questions they ask you is 'how is the kayak stored', 'how is the kayak transported'.

Hobie knows exactly how its customers use their boats. The kayaks are so fucking heavy empty, when loaded down they are obscene. We deal with the weight by engineering our own methods of storage, transport, setup/takedown and so on. Hardly any of the modifications we make on our kayaks abide by the factory warranties, and in fact most of the mods we make that require drilling or other alterations to the hull void the whole thing. If you have landing gear installed on an Outback, even if the crack isn't at the attachment point, I'd dam near bet my life Hobie will void your warranty, because they will claim landing gear put too much stress on a fully loaded down Outback. And they're probably right, it wasn't designed for that. But y'no what pisses me off? $3600 for a super heavy boat, with no fucking solutions on how to transport that do not void their warranty. With all their experts, why don't they already have an engineered solution for landing gear styled wheels? I can bitch forever about Hobie,...but I still love my Outback way too much to quit it. It's the perfect trolling machine for me. I love it. The company? They can eat a bag of,...

Bottomline:
NO MATTER HOW YOU STORE YOUR HOBIE PRODUCT, WHEN FILING A WARRANTY, LIE.

I love my Outback, and so will you. Don't let this scare you away from one. Just be smarter than my dumbass. Thankfully social medias saved my bacon.

Mmmmmm…bacon…

What a zoo with pro results…get dem fishees!   

Glad it all worked out for you in the end.    I'm pretty tempted to upgrade to a new OB someday, as the new hull design and features are really looking attractive compared to the old ass one I still have 

DarthBaiter,...that is one of my go-to nicknames for anything requiring a nickname. Cheers to you good sir.

Got hooked up with the new hull just last week and got her out on the water for a shakedown cruise before a raft of planned Kokanee hunts. Same color hull, same everything. Windtoys took care of me,...I highly recommend their services!

As far as the crack,...I have no idea what caused it. I do use my boat,...a lot. I'm not the smallest or fattest, but I am a big dude. All well within the ranges Hobie suggests for the Outback. I'm unable to stand due to a past knee injury (although the seat riser kit + stand assist rope might/will help - haven't installed on this boat yet).

I'm afraid all I can figure is that each boat is unique, and some will just fail over time. Hobie's storage standards have nothing to do with the best way to store the boat. Those standards exist to nullify warranties. No way did storing my yak on flexible PVC bunks cause this crack - and if that is somehow what happened, Hobie has bigger issues with their production line pumping out supremely overpriced weakened products prone to fail. The warranty exists as a catch all. Therefore, catchall em right back. When you request a warranty claim on the hull, the first of a few questions they ask you is 'how is the kayak stored', 'how is the kayak transported'.

Hobie knows exactly how its customers use their boats. The kayaks are so fucking heavy empty, when loaded down they are obscene. We deal with the weight by engineering our own methods of storage, transport, setup/takedown and so on. Hardly any of the modifications we make on our kayaks abide by the factory warranties, and in fact most of the mods we make that require drilling or other alterations to the hull void the whole thing. If you have landing gear installed on an Outback, even if the crack isn't at the attachment point, I'd dam near bet my life Hobie will void your warranty, because they will claim landing gear put too much stress on a fully loaded down Outback. And they're probably right, it wasn't designed for that. But y'no what pisses me off? $3600 for a super heavy boat, with no fucking solutions on how to transport that do not void their warranty. With all their experts, why don't they already have an engineered solution for landing gear styled wheels? I can bitch forever about Hobie,...but I still love my Outback way too much to quit it. It's the perfect trolling machine for me. I love it. The company? They can eat a bag of,...

Bottomline:
NO MATTER HOW YOU STORE YOUR HOBIE PRODUCT, WHEN FILING A WARRANTY, LIE.

I love my Outback, and so will you. Don't let this scare you away from one. Just be smarter than my dumbass. Thankfully social medias saved my bacon.

this thread made me pull out my Outback.  I stuck my hand into the hull and there are two big foam supports under that area where you have the crack.  mine are not tight and really wobble.  I took some computer shipping foam, which is the same exact stuff, and pushed it onto of the OEM foam.  things tightened up.  the only load I can see that would crack like that is standing up, which you said you dont do.

either way, glad Billy help make you whole.  I bought mine from Billy as well. 

Sad day for my OB. I think its from the sun exposure and my fat ass as I hop into the seat when launching. I have the seat at the highest setting so the crack formed up there.

its a 2019 that was a demo version so I'm praying a warranty will go through with my hobie rep, sent pics and my serial number and they had the receipt (purchases nov 2020).

We shall see... otherwise ill just use some metal staples/mesh and a plastic welder and get some more miles out of her. maybe the snipe industry seat riser will help but idk.

saaaaaad day. Im sure I can fix it but mostly bummed about the resale value when I eventually wanted to let go of her lol.

*of course it was stored correctly just as the pamphlet shows, updside down and on top of my crv ready for its next adventure.

 

Wow, I just read this whole thread for the first time. Sounds like the only way to get a valid warantee claim is if you complain loud enough. Imagine the poor saps who don’t have social media accounts and don’t subscribe to online internet forums. Glad to see it finally worked out for you Rob. But the number & size of hoops you have to jump through is absolutely unacceptable.
Seeing Poopsmith’s new post makes me wonder what Hobie will say. “Transporting a kayak on top of a car or on a trailer voids the warrantee”

Wow, I just read this whole thread for the first time. Sounds like the only way to get a valid warantee claim is if you complain loud enough. Imagine the poor saps who don’t have social media accounts and don’t subscribe to online internet forums. Glad to see it finally worked out for you Rob. But the number & size of hoops you have to jump through is absolutely unacceptable.
Seeing Poopsmith’s new post makes me wonder what Hobie will say. “Transporting a kayak on top of a car or on a trailer voids the warrantee”

I recently had a really good experience getting my out of warranty hull replaced for free so it seems to be hit or miss. I did, however, volunteer that my kayak was always stored and transported on the gunwales, which it was.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=99200.msg1111261#msg1111261

Sent the picture of my cracked hull and serial number to my rep and they are asking hobie for a hull replacement! The lady said I could attempt a repair now that the request is in, so I bought a plastic welder and the thing is super satisfying to use.

Then filled it in with a piece of bucket plastic and just hoping it will last until I can get it replaced.

Ill just put my seat on the floor of the yak for now instead of using the kickstand ledges.

That's pretty cool looking and glad they're giving you a new hull 

Sent the picture of my cracked hull and serial number to my rep and they are asking hobie for a hull replacement! The lady said I could attempt a repair now that the request is in, so I bought a plastic welder and the thing is super satisfying to use.

Then filled it in with a piece of bucket plastic and just hoping it will last until I can get it replaced.

Ill just put my seat on the floor of the yak for now instead of using the kickstand ledges.

wow.  what am i looking at here?  what is that plastic wire strand?

my friend had his 2020 crack just like that.  same seat position.  he just got his replacement boat a few weeks ago. 

Its a wire "staple" that melted into the plastic, im thinking I should have placed them 90 degrees from how I put it in but its working fine so far.

pushed over plastic with the welder ontop of those staples and sanded all the metal down. Then melted some bucked plastic over it.

Held last weekend but we will see lol.