Hobie Seat Lock modification

After watching one Hobie roll and come up without the new seat and hearing about another. I have decided to place an extra locking mechanism in place. As you can see by the pictures it is a very simple modification that could save $400 in the future.

I installed a black plastic pad eye on the top of the roto-molded crosspiece behind the seat, directly in line with the red locking pin. I then used a piece of Kevlar reinforced cord to tie a Carabiner to the lumbar support crosspiece on the chair. Finally, I clipped the Carabiner through the Pad eye and the space left on top when the clip is seated.

The Carabiner does two things. One, it fills in the space above the clip so that it cannot come unseated. Two, it creates a new leash point for the seat.

I am fairly certain that when I huli the Outback again, the seat will be there when I flip it back over. It adds a small extra step to the set up and break down process. The peace of mind that comes along with it though is priceless.

Wobbler

I've seen a seat come loose,  and the problem was the cord from the red tan to the seat was too long,  allowing it to disconnect.  Shortening the cord fixes this.  Your solution also works,  but for those out there seeing your seats come loose,  try shortening the safety cord,  it should fix the problem.

I've seen a seat come loose,  and the problem was the cord from the red tan to the seat was too long,  allowing it to disconnect.  Shortening the cord fixes this.  Your solution also works,  but for those out there seeing your seats come loose,  try shortening the safety cord,  it should fix the problem.

Thanks Lee,  that was part of the original solution. I did shorten the cord by 1/2 inch. Any shorter I would loose full adjustment of the seat.

Wobbler

After watching one Hobie roll

Hey, I resemble that remark! I have been corresponding with Hobie about this issue since I lost my seat at the ORC. They sent me a link to a new owners manual for next years model that showed a new design that hopefully solves this problem. It is a basic buckle system. I was told we will be able to order this upgrade for 2015 model Advantage CT seats after August. That being said, I like your carabiner solution even better and I will use that when my new seat arrives. It finally got ordered today.

I wonder why Hobie did not use the same seat anchor/retainer design that is bullet proof in the PA?
You just can't lose the seat if the aft strap is over the post and the retainer installed....the shock cord prevents the retainer from coming off the post.

Great solution, thank you Wobbler.

Ling ling herro? witnessed a similar experience on open water (losing the new seat) and I was skeptical that something else hadn't caused the issue. Now after hearing about this I'm definitely going to implement this or similar solution. I've got 2x the seats and mirage drives to lose!!! (yes, I leash my drives before I'm even in the water)

Will make this mod. Haven't even gotten the Outback wet yet, but noticed the little red retainer wants to come loose.

Speaking from experience... this should be your first mod!

Nice fix, Wobbler! As you saw, I could have used this a couple months ago.....

I like the added pad eye.  I had installed a chain link on a leash to fill the void on the red latch of the new seat so it couldn't come off, but the pad eye is a nice addition.  Thanks for sharing that.  As hdp said - this should be the first modification to the new Hobie seats.