YakAttack FullBack problem

I wanted to pass this along so that others might have some insight if they have similar problems. I am a huge fan of YakAttack products and they have made it right anytime I've talked to them about an issue.

I recently put a new set of GearTracs on my 2015 Hobie Oasis - 2 in the front and 2 in the back. Since I had a very positive experience with the FullBack threaded backing plates on my previous install, I ordered them again. The decrease in installation frustration in cramped, hard to reach places is worth the price, IMHO.

A couple of the tracks went on fine and there were no problems. However on two of the tracks I had issues getting the screws into the FullBack backing plates.

Now that I took the time to take one of the tracks and backing plates off and analyze the issue, I can say with certainty that there were 3 issues:

• Two of my mounting screws were defective
• Several (4-5 total across 2 backing plates) of the threaded holes were not straight
• Two (one each on two backing plates) threaded holes had bad threads

I identified problem #1 before I even started the installation. I wrote YakAttack and they shipped me an extra pack of mounting screws at no additional cost.

Problem #2 manifested itself as I started screwing the GearTracs down and noticed that the pan-head hex screws were not seating properly on the track. One side would be fully seated and the opposite side of the head would have a small gap. When I ended up taking a track off the kayak to investigate, it was obvious that the threaded screw hole was not even close to perpendicular to the face of the backing plate - you could tell just by eye-balling it. This issue is not a big deal but just kind of leaves you with a "for how much I spent..." feeling.

Problem #3 was the most frustrating, but is also relatively easy to preclude if you know ahead of time. I twisted the head off a few screws trying to get them into the worst of the backing plates. Eventually I took the worst offender off the kayak to investigate. Clear as day, the threads were defective. So I put the mounting screw (stainless steel) upside-down in my bench vise, then twirled the backing plate onto it like a helicopter blade until it got to the part where it stuck. I then gently kept turning until the screw was completely through the hole. I went back and forth over it a few times and found that the stainless steel screw neatly finished the aluminum threads and then it installed correctly with no further hassle.

The takeaway: I would strongly advise that you test each threaded hole in the backing plates before beginning installation, and correct any thread issues ahead of time. You may also wish to ask for a replacement if you find that the backing plate holes are severely out of alignment.

Hopefully I just got a couple of bad apples and most people don't have this issue. I've had zero problems with all of my other tracks and backing plates from YakAttack.

The takeaway: I would strongly advise that you test each threaded hole in the backing plates before beginning installation, and correct any thread issues ahead of time. You may also wish to ask for a replacement if you find that the backing plate holes are severely out of alignment.

100% agree.  Definitely check, also make sure that the allen wrench you use perfectly fits the screw, because they are SOFT.  Fortunately, yak attack is REALLY good at sending replacement parts.  Even with the small defect problems, I'd still 100% recommend them  (I am in no way sponsored by them either)

Question on #3.  How do you know you this wasn't caused as a results of trying to drive the screws into a misaligned threaded screw hole?

-Allen

Question on #3.  How do you know you this wasn't caused as a results of trying to drive the screws into a misaligned threaded screw hole?

-Allen

Good question! Because the threads were messed up from the opposite side. I.e. I hadn't gotten the screw down that far into the threads yet. When I took one track off and examined the backing plate I noticed that the threads on the "far side", which I hadn't been able to get my screw to yet, were clearly misformed and would not accept the screw (the other screw holes accepted the screw from that side without issue).

Spoke to Luther recently about a batch of Fullbacks in which we had some tapping issues and it was a known issue with some programming on their machines.  Seems all is fixed now and if you do have any issues always contact these guys, they will make sure you are taken care of.  Also obviously if purchased from Next we will always correct any issues you may have by replacing or fixing.

Issues with Screws being Soft is due to the Marine Grade stainless hardware.  Definitely want to be careful however if you have the proper size Key you should have no issues.  Unfortunately with bulk hardware sometimes screws are bad- recently I got from our supplier screws that had no head on them- How that makes past QC is beyond me but in a pack of 1000 there is bound to be at least a few that arnt right.

In the end any issues you have get in Contact with these guys.  That is the joy of having a US Made product by a company that actually cares- they will take care of you every time.

Spoke to Luther recently about a batch of Fullbacks in which we had some tapping issues and it was a known issue with some programming on their machines.  Seems all is fixed now and if you do have any issues always contact these guys, they will make sure you are taken care of.  Also obviously if purchased from Next we will always correct any issues you may have by replacing or fixing.

Issues with Screws being Soft is due to the Marine Grade stainless hardware.  Definitely want to be careful however if you have the proper size Key you should have no issues.  Unfortunately with bulk hardware sometimes screws are bad- recently I got from our supplier screws that had no head on them- How that makes past QC is beyond me but in a pack of 1000 there is bound to be at least a few that arnt right.

In the end any issues you have get in Contact with these guys.  That is the joy of having a US Made product by a company that actually cares- they will take care of you every time.

That's exactly what I was going to say...

Thanks for the warning Captain.  I did pre-check mine this past week and they were all good.  Install of two GT 90's with fullbacks took less than 1/2 hour.