Hobie adventure/Revo 16 keel drain plug leaks?

[King Saba]

So I recently picked up a second hand 2014 adventure and am liking a lot so far. It's fast, sleek, and fast. But, with all great things they are not without their flaws. For me it's this thing:



It's the keel drain plug. It seems completely unnecessary and more of a safety hazard if anything. Has anyone had any experience with leakage issues? It's really stupid honestly to put a drain plug below the water line of the kayak. The only thing keeping me from sinking is a rubber O ring and that's not too reassuring. I'm thinking to marine goop the threads of the plug and seal the deal. Anyone else have better seal ideas? Thanks!

[Dave Legacy]

I cannot believe how silly that is. Dope new ride though! The Adventure/Revo 16 is the Hobie that always tempts me to buy when browsing CL ads.

[King Saba]

Originally Posted by Dave Legacy

I cannot believe how silly that is. Dope new ride though! The Adventure/Revo 16 is the Hobie that always tempts me to buy when browsing CL ads.

Yeah incredibly silly. If you're main go to spots are the kelp and fishing deep for rockfish I'd go with it. Time is always a factor for my trips so getting the most speed possible is important to me.

[Orca Winfrey]

I suggest you take a hot butter knife to it.

[King Saba]

Originally Posted by Orca Winfrey

I suggest you take a hot butter knife to it.

I ain't gonna play games with a $2K plastic boat!

[Chuck D]

It's not stupid if you actually have an adventure island set up with the arms out and try to drain it without picking the yak up over your head which is basically impossible. That is what this drainage plug is meant for. I have had a Hobie adventure island with no issue of leakage there. Other parts like the front cover area have leaked.

[Dave Legacy]

Originally Posted by Chuck D

It's not stupid if you actually have an adventure island set up with the arms out and try to drain it without picking the yak up over your head which is basically impossible. That is what this drainage plug is meant for. I have had a Hobie adventure island with no issue of leakage there. Other parts like the front cover area have leaked.

...and it all snaps into focus.

[YakDout]

You can plastic weld it shut which is pretty easy. Or epoxy it.

[steveooo]

I've been on an adventure/revo 16 for about 10 years. Never had it leak, and never really had a reason to use it. If its rough out and I get a cup or two of water in the kayak, i just throw a small towel in the front hatch and tip the kayak forward so the water hits the towel.

The plug is actually a solid brass threaded insert that is about 3/4" deep, with the thick part of the plastic surrounding it. Not as flimsy as it appears to be from the outside.

If you are worried you could seal it shut for good with a little marine goop.

[h2ofishfo]

I don't even touch mine I left it out once luckily in fresh water and almost sank . Thank got for senko's being the right diameter I shoved that in there and kept fishing . It's totally pointless even with a adventure mast and side floats I would just tip it so water goes to the front and use a towel

[alanw]

I wouldn't worry about a good drain plug like that. Try a Malibu kayak with a 1" hole drilled in the bottom for the thru-hull bait pump...

[summers in kuwait]

I have never used a drain plug in any of my previous kayaks and used to seal the plug for peace of mind. As mentioned, the plug is pretty solid with the threaded insert. Being new to the Revo 16, I can't comment on long term use, but trust Steveooo's feedback. I occasionally store fish down below, so it's nice to be able to flush the kayak and easily drain, where before I would pump or sponge out excess water.

[King Saba]

Originally Posted by alanw

I wouldn't worry about a good drain plug like that. Try a Malibu kayak with a 1" hole drilled in the bottom for the thru-hull bait pump...

Been there before. Malibus aren't my favorite brand of kayak, but it's great starter brand.