I purchased my Hobie Pro Angler in May of this past year and despite the weight, it has been a fantastic platform to fish from. It's amazingly stable, even taken offshore. During my cleanup after fishing Friday, I noticed a lot of water in the hull that night. After checking the hatches, I unfortunately found a linear crack, also about 3" long, just to the left of where my seat area is. The crack is raised on one side, leaving a open hole in my hull right under my seat. This is very concerning because, reaching underneath, the area is amazingly thin in the seat well. This area will definitely split more if anyone sits in the kayak. The crack looks difficult to repair well enough to provide enough stability and support to allow anyone to sit without splitting again. A plastic or epoxy repair won't be sufficient to provide enough support, I don't think.

Has anyone heard of this happening to other Pro Anglers? It's very concerning considering the price paid for the Hobie. It's lucky I found it now, as I was planning on going to Stuart again on Feb 3rd to go offshore in it. Plans need modification it appears.

I purchased the yak from Blackcreek Outfitters this past May, and they've been awesome in helping me set up my yak last summer. Hopefully they can help me in trying somehow to figure out how to repair or replace the hull, especially in the precarious spot this split is in. Any other suggestions would be appreciated, of course.

I dont own a Hobie, but as far as Ive heard, Hobie gives great warranty service.
Repair, up to replacing the hull
Take it to BCO..........

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After extensive, diligent, and scholarly research, there is NO evidence that life should be so serious.

U14.5

T120

Agree with Dreads. From my reading about Hobie, I am sure they will replace the hull. BCO is great to work with too. Despite your problems, I have decided on the PA whenever I get the $$ to do it.

Hey Bleeder!!
Sorry to hear about your P/Angler having a crack.....

Please bring it to Black Creek Outfitters ASAP and we will determine how to resolve you issues!!
We are open from Noon until 6:00 PM today (Sunday) and I work there P/T, so ask for me.....and Keith and Clark are both very technical and skilled at getting these taken care of.....CYA soon....
JohnYaksJax

I noticed that almost all manufacturerers of kayaks do not have great support in the seating area. A lot of kayakers are having issues with cracks in the seating area. I'm surprised these complaints are not being heard. I own a kayak that has a closed cell foam insert which creates support between the seat and the bottom of the hull. If I ever buy a new kayak i'm definitely going to replicate this setup.

Your kayak is less then a year old so you shoud be good to go.

Wow, I didn't anticipate such a quick response with this, and even from a team member from BCO! Unfortunately, I'm stuck at work and won't be able to have the crack checked out until Monday afternoon. No question I've been concerned as to what to do regarding warranty service, etc. I've been given nothing but expert assistance with my Pro Angler from BCO when I set it all up, so I really appreciate the help with this problem with the hull.

And Jag, if it turns out that my split hull in the seat well of my Pro Angler is an isolated incident, I hope it won't deter you from still considering one. I had a lot of confidence in my yak up until now; something I didn't anticipate happening. This big peddle yak' feels rock stable on the water, which is great if you decide to try to go offshore with it, there's room for everything, and the seat has been great at relieving pressure points after a long haul on the water. Even the weight seems to help in reducing "Kayak Wander" on a windy day or heavy current. I'm sure hoping for more fishing on it.

Thanks Bleeder. I have had kayak envy for about a year now and gone thru 3-4 models I was going to get but have absolutely positively decided on the PA. Just waiting for a couple things to break to make it happen. Hopefully in the new 2-3 months. Between what I have read online about Hobie and my experience with BCO and Johnyaksjax, I am very comfortable with my decision.

Hey pescadero I just received a foam blocking system for my X Factor from malibu and also a repair kit from them man what a difference those blocks make for the stability I like to stand up and push pole up in the creeks so the foam blocks gave me a ton more support. As for the crack in th PA Navy1970 on here also had problems with a crack in the scupper hole BCO took well good care of it I think hobie sent him a new hull for shhipping cost. Those guys at BCO are awesome and really helpful.

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MALIBU X FACTOR (GRAY)

Me and my girlfriend went to BCO recently and had a little problem, it took less than 12 hours and Joe, the owner of BCO was on the phone with me and getting everything straightened out, always had great service there and am sure they will help you out, needless to say, Chica's new yak ships the 10th of feb. she cant wait!

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MALIBU X FACTOR/HEROES ON THE WATER

Harley, what is Chica going to get?

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Just a follow-up regarding the cracked hull. Keith and the staff at BCO provided the absolutely finest in customer service. On my arrival, they immediately took pictures and described the situation immediately to Hobie. After the paperwork was submitted, they then offered to repair the kayak as a temporary fix so I could get back on the water while we waited to hear back from Hobie regarding their decision on what Hobie was going to do. THAT'S customer service!

Needless to say, 15 days after submission, Hobie stood by their reputation as well and sent me a new hull, factory-mold fresh. Will spend my evening tonight happily reinstalling my hardware. 15 days....I was stunned!

I can't say enough about the quality service and attention to detail provided me at BCO. When I need something more (and I will!), I will go to BCO every time. How I was treated and the service they provided me is so rare these days. A huge thank you to everyone involved. It truly was appreciated.

Thats some great news, it is why we have bought 3 yaks from BCO, Chicas Native Ultimate 12, ships today there was a little hold up on the factory, and Joe offered us a yak to use til hers arrives , so just goes to show the range of service you get from BCO!

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MALIBU X FACTOR/HEROES ON THE WATER

Keith ROCKS! when I got my 2120 replaced with a 2012 I noticed right away some of these issues seemed To be addressed by Hobie in the 2012. Seems that a lot Or the weak spots have been strengthened as well as some sort of scupper liner that looks replaceable. The steering is much better also. Good luck fishing! Man by the name of Clark was also super helpful! He was also instrumental in resolving my issues.

I'm glad Hobie and BC gives such good CS. It does seem that a company as prominent as Hobie is in the market should have the engineering worked out better on their plastic navy though. Seems that they have a disproportionate amont of cracking issues compared with some other brands from reports that I see.