Mystery leak in the Outback

I know a guy who had a 2007 model with a cracked drive well that was out of warranty. The Hobie dealer pro-rated it for him, and for $500, sent him a 2013 hull as a replacement. He even got to keep the old hull. They just wanted the cut out serial number. Along with the new hull, he also got the new drum shaft and new twist and lock seat connectors.

Something plastic sits in a back room for 6+ years and it's likely to have issues

Unless it's in direct sunlight, sitting in storage for 6 years should have no ill effect on the structural integrity of polyethylene. The fact that this same failure has occured with many brand new boats as well leads me to believe the issue is with the design.

It is a known problem with the older models.  It's also likely that in being in a shop for so long, it was dropped at some point or another.  Plastic also starts to dry out over time and get that faded look.  I looked at the boats those guys had, and most of them had some faded look to them, particularly the red boats, red always oxidizes faster.

Hopefully you saved the receipt, and end up with a new hull.

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Something plastic sits in a back room for 6+ years and it's likely to have issues

Unless it's in direct sunlight, sitting in storage for 6 years should have no ill effect on the structural integrity of polyethylene. The fact that this same failure has occured with many brand new boats as well leads me to believe the issue is with the design.

It sounds like a consistent problem to me. I doubt everyone reporting the issue is storing their boat in the scorching sun all summer and getting the cracks. From my perspective I wouldn't buy a boat that has those issues and I was considering the Hobie at some time in the future but for now I'll stick to the old basic kayak. Despite the mechanical advantages of the Mirage drive I think that dealing with cracks in the hull is not worth laying down my cash on that kind of boat.

Now that's my thing as well, I like the concept of the hobies but with all the problems I hear about I cant justify purchasing one of these yaks, and I think these issues are just a possible lack of research and development... now if this issue is resolved Ill probably reconsider purchasing one of these... now on a side note from the pics of the inner hull where it cracks it appears that if they just simply re-enforced the hull in that area it would take care of the problem and not sure if they took into consideration the amount of force that is exerted on that area while peddling... cause when your designing any structure that receives a load of any kind you need to brace it up to prevent failure...

Something plastic sits in a back room for 6+ years and it's likely to have issues

Unless it's in direct sunlight, sitting in storage for 6 years should have no ill effect on the structural integrity of polyethylene. The fact that this same failure has occured with many brand new boats as well leads me to believe the issue is with the design.

It sounds like a consistent problem to me. I doubt everyone reporting the issue is storing their boat in the scorching sun all summer and getting the cracks. From my perspective I wouldn't buy a boat that has those issues and I was considering the Hobie at some time in the future but for now I'll stick to the old basic kayak. Despite the mechanical advantages of the Mirage drive I think that dealing with cracks in the hull is not worth laying down my cash on that kind of boat.

Now that's my thing as well, I like the concept of the hobies but with all the problems I hear about I cant justify purchasing one of these yaks, and I think these issues are just a possible lack of research and development... now if this issue is resolved Ill probably reconsider purchasing one of these... now on a side note from the pics of the inner hull where it cracks it appears that if they just simply re-enforced the hull in that area it would take care of the problem and not sure if they took into consideration the amount of force that is exerted on that area while peddling... cause when your designing any structure that receives a load of any kind you need to brace it up to prevent failure...

You're limiting yourself if this is the only reason you're not considering a Hobie. While this was a problem with the older models, the 2011 and new Hobies rarely have a issues.

There are pluses and minuses to both hobies and non-hobie. Depending on where and how you fish, a paddle boat may be the way to go. For me, I'll take the increased chance of a mechanical or hull failure for the benefit of speed and hands free fishing.

I agree completely...I think the issue is certainly a design flaw, but one Hobie has corrected with the newer models. I brought this upon myself for purchasing an older boat...but I didn't know what I didn't know.  The fact that Hobie stands behind it's product (looks like I'm getting a new hull) is also very comforting.

Would I do it again...Hell yeah! I'm already in the market for another boat for my Daughter, thanks to Adam-12 who lent her his boat while he was on leave...I'll purchase a new boat from an authorized dealer though.

A cracked hull is more than a limitation. It's a liability.

A cracked hull is more than a limitation. It's a liability.

Yeah, somewhat...but we're not talking catastrophic failure with water flooding into the boat (yet)...more like a very slow seep resulting in a gallon of water over a 4-6 hr trip. I'm heading out to look for some Bass in it right now. Once I hear back from Hobie I plan to do a temporary repair and head for La Push on Friday.

I had small crack in a scupper drain hole in my 2010 PA about two months ago.  I worked with the local Hobie guys on Westlake (where I bought it).  I was bailing 4-5 gallons of water after a long day on the water.  The crack was a manufacturer's defect.  I got a new hull, though it was past warranty.  I don't think this is the first time they have addressed this issue.  It wasn't wear due to use as the crack was inside the hull in a scupper hole used to drain water and not slip a wheel cart in.    My hat is off to Hobie and the local dealer for resolving the problem.  I was only out the $200 shipping for the new hull.  The old one they required that I cut out the serial number and the scupper as they don't want you reselling a damaged hull. 

The turbo fins play a major part in drive well cracks, They put much more stress on that area. especially in the older hulls. Hobie has addressed the issue in  '10 models up. You should still be easy on them with turbo fins especially dragster starts. Hobie is always pretty fair in there pro rates for older boats too.

Not sure why everyone is having Mirage Drive problems recently but i have never had any major problems with a drive save for nromal wear and tear and one broken mast from being bent  and bent back one too many times. My 2007 drive that had counless miles on it was still working good when i sold it  recently.

My mirage drive problem was not from a defect, it was from user stupidity. 

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So it looks Like Hobie will be graciously replacing my Hull. In the mean time I did Fishhesfromtupperware's repair and the boat was bone dry for the entire weekend at Hobuck...thanks to FFTW, Hobie's outstanding customer service and also to Hobiecats Northwest for stepping in as my "authorized dealer" after Ballards hung me out to dry.

That's interesting that you had to go somewhere else. Maybe that shop sucks? I think my next boat will be the Prowler 13 instead of a pedal boat.

The shop did suck, and hasn't sold boats in years, until they put them all up at ridiculously low prices to get rid of them.

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That's interesting that you had to go somewhere else. Maybe that shop sucks? I think my next boat will be the Prowler 13 instead of a pedal boat.

The issue was that Ballards is NOT an Authorized Hobie dealer so they couldn't file a claim on my behalf...Hobie Cats Nothwest stepped right up and helped me out even though I didn't buy my boat from them.
I have a Trident 13 that I love, but with the speed, agility and hands free fishing of the Hobie, I haven't had the Trident out since I got the Outback.