Stealth 14 Q - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

sasha · 09-26-2010, 02:08 PM

Ok I got my kayak at the big blem sale. Took it to the pool to play with it got some water in there whill practicing rolling and getting back inside. So the next day i left it outside to dry out with the rear hatch open. In the evening i tried to close it and it wont close no matter what i did. Called OEX and they said no sweat bring it in and they would check it out. two days later i tried it again before i drive the 70miles or so each way. Now all of sudden it closes. Not smooth and needed to put some pressure but it did close. All other hatches close realy nice and smooth. I can see some sandpaper and some small wheel grinding marks. Is this normal?? I would hate to drive all the way down there for something minor that shouldnt take more then 5 min to take care of. Im very good with my hands and got plenty of tools. I know if i grind down a little around the hatch it would close better. Main consorn is leaks. I heard some people complain about the rear hatch leak and would hate that to happen out in the ocean. First kayak and would like to do it right in the long run. Hope no one minds me asking all those Qs just dont know anything about kayaks. This is my first one and i would like to keep it and use it for many years to come. love the feel of stealth and planning on going in the ocean this week.

Sasha

Regor · 09-26-2010, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasha

Im very good with my hands and got plenty of tools. I know if i grind down a little around the hatch it would close better. Main consorn is leaks.
Sasha

The first thing that comes to mind is voiding the warranty when you take some matters into your own hands.... Start grinding away and it ends up cracking/etc.

FARRIER · 09-26-2010, 03:20 PM

Often times i need to apply pressure to my hatch on my revo to get it to close and seal properly. As you turn the locks try adding pressure. If thats not the case I don't know if sanding will help. Can you post a picture?

sasha · 09-26-2010, 05:29 PM

Regor thats what were worried about as well. I guess i should wait for Andy to maybe answer...

Farrier Now it does close with alittle pressure but a few days before it didnt close no matter what i did. Even asked my dad for help to put some pressure on two points and me on the third while trying to close it. Its hard to show anything in the pic its more of a feel when you close the hatch. Maybe i make an ant into an elephant......

tony · 09-26-2010, 07:10 PM

Had that happen to me with a new X-Factor. Felt like I was going to bust the handles trying to close it. So I opened and closed it about 30 times in a row and then no problems.....The Locking pin/pins have to get used to the hole/holes.....

Lets_Fish · 09-26-2010, 08:44 PM

If I remember correctly, Andy said that they are covered under warranty (limited time). I would take it to OEX and have them look it over (great staff and will work with you). It may be that the original hole cut is small in one area (placing pressure) and may need a little cutting or something else. Have them look the complete yak over with you and fix anything that needs fixing now before you take it out on the open sea. Check your scupper holes also for any leaks.

I purchased a X-13 at the 1st sale and had pin holes in the scuppers and fixed them before going out in the open water. Also the rivets in the rear hatch leaked and I have fixed that problem also. Unlike your purchase with a warranty, mine did not come with one (sold as is). No biggie to me as these items I was able to correct.

sasha · 09-26-2010, 09:08 PM

Thanks tony i might try that as well.
Let_fish Yes there is a 90 days warranty against leaks. At list it was posted. When i called and told them it was a Blem they said no problem just bring it in. Its just a very long drive back to the place they had the sale and i was wondering if its something real easy to fix on my own. But i guess i better do it once and for all and not worry about it again.

sasha

09-26-2010, 02:08 PM	#1
sasha Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 275	Stealth 14 Q Ok I got my kayak at the big blem sale. Took it to the pool to play with it got some water in there whill practicing rolling and getting back inside. So the next day i left it outside to dry out with the rear hatch open. In the evening i tried to close it and it wont close no matter what i did. Called OEX and they said no sweat bring it in and they would check it out. two days later i tried it again before i drive the 70miles or so each way. Now all of sudden it closes. Not smooth and needed to put some pressure but it did close. All other hatches close realy nice and smooth. I can see some sandpaper and some small wheel grinding marks. Is this normal?? I would hate to drive all the way down there for something minor that shouldnt take more then 5 min to take care of. Im very good with my hands and got plenty of tools. I know if i grind down a little around the hatch it would close better. Main consorn is leaks. I heard some people complain about the rear hatch leak and would hate that to happen out in the ocean. First kayak and would like to do it right in the long run. Hope no one minds me asking all those Qs just dont know anything about kayaks. This is my first one and i would like to keep it and use it for many years to come. love the feel of stealth and planning on going in the ocean this week. Sasha Last edited by sasha; 09-26-2010 at 02:56 PM.

09-26-2010, 03:20 PM	#3
FARRIER Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cmont [] Posts: 314	Often times i need to apply pressure to my hatch on my revo to get it to close and seal properly. As you turn the locks try adding pressure. If thats not the case I don't know if sanding will help. Can you post a picture? __________________ "It depends on what the meaning of the words 'is' is." –Bill Clinton

09-26-2010, 05:29 PM	#4
sasha Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 275	Regor thats what were worried about as well. I guess i should wait for Andy to maybe answer... Farrier Now it does close with alittle pressure but a few days before it didnt close no matter what i did. Even asked my dad for help to put some pressure on two points and me on the third while trying to close it. Its hard to show anything in the pic its more of a feel when you close the hatch. Maybe i make an ant into an elephant......

09-26-2010, 07:10 PM	#5
tony Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: La Jolla Posts: 130	Had that happen to me with a new X-Factor. Felt like I was going to bust the handles trying to close it. So I opened and closed it about 30 times in a row and then no problems.....The Locking pin/pins have to get used to the hole/holes.....

09-26-2010, 08:44 PM	#6
Lets_Fish Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Wildomar, CA. Posts: 294	If I remember correctly, Andy said that they are covered under warranty (limited time). I would take it to OEX and have them look it over (great staff and will work with you). It may be that the original hole cut is small in one area (placing pressure) and may need a little cutting or something else. Have them look the complete yak over with you and fix anything that needs fixing now before you take it out on the open sea. Check your scupper holes also for any leaks. I purchased a X-13 at the 1st sale and had pin holes in the scuppers and fixed them before going out in the open water. Also the rivets in the rear hatch leaked and I have fixed that problem also. Unlike your purchase with a warranty, mine did not come with one (sold as is). No biggie to me as these items I was able to correct.

09-26-2010, 09:08 PM	#7
sasha Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 275	Thanks tony i might try that as well. Let_fish Yes there is a 90 days warranty against leaks. At list it was posted. When i called and told them it was a Blem they said no problem just bring it in. Its just a very long drive back to the place they had the sale and i was wondering if its something real easy to fix on my own. But i guess i better do it once and for all and not worry about it again. sasha