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

sasha · 09-27-2010, 08:51 AM

Thanks IceMan i shall try to sand it down ever so lightly. Just enough to take off most of the wheel marks. Maybe if i smooth it out that would solve all the problems. So instead of driving down south i can hit the ocean

jbm · 09-27-2010, 10:19 AM

Did you leave it in the sun before it wouldn't close? It could be the heat caused the plastic to expand and distorted the hatch frame. I would observe whether the temp of the kayak affects the hatch operation.

mrJB · 09-27-2010, 10:56 AM

Sasha -

Unfortunately, factory seconds are just that, and may come with one or more defects, ranging from cosmetic to who-knows-what.

If you are good with your hands I would recommend giving it a shot yourself for anything short of plastic welding. Even then, I've had kayaks back to the dealer AND to the factory and they still didn't do a weld much better than I.

Beware of anyone who says they will fix cracks, etc. with "hot glue" or "goop". It's your butt out there two miles in the ocean.

I'm willing to bet that your current problem is from too tight a hatch installation and that you can take a sixteenth off the hatch just a well as anyone, better than most.

My $.02. Unfortunately (or fortunately) it's all part of the learning process for almost any yaker...

Mad Daddy · 09-27-2010, 02:37 PM

I have a stealth 12 so no rear hatch but I do have problems with the side hatches. It seems that the inner bags if not pushed all of the way down onto the tabs stick up just enough to keep the hatch from latching. It is very annoying since everytime I need to get something out it pulls the bag up and I have to re-seat the bag again. The up side is having such easy access storage on both side is great. I read the description and saw that the 14 has a bag in the rear hatch as well and that could be your problem.

sasha · 09-27-2010, 04:06 PM

Jbm It was sitting in the sun but when i tried to close it. Was after it set in the shade for a while.
MrJb I do think the hatch is too tight as i mentioned before there are marks that someone was using a dremel type tool to remove some plastic to fit the hatch. There is a 90 day warranty for leaks and i heard nothing but good things about Andy just wanted to make sure its right before the warrenty is up and its a LONG drive from chatsworth. I also know i can make a much smoother surface on the hatch..
Mad Daddy i took that bag as soon as i had the problem thinking it was sticking..
I would try Andy advice and see if i can clean up and smooth up the cover, if it would not help then i would drive down there..
hope to hit the ocean on thursday.

Sasha

09-27-2010, 10:56 AM	#3
mrJB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: O.C. Posts: 352	Sasha - Unfortunately, factory seconds are just that, and may come with one or more defects, ranging from cosmetic to who-knows-what. If you are good with your hands I would recommend giving it a shot yourself for anything short of plastic welding. Even then, I've had kayaks back to the dealer AND to the factory and they still didn't do a weld much better than I. Beware of anyone who says they will fix cracks, etc. with "hot glue" or "goop". It's your butt out there two miles in the ocean. I'm willing to bet that your current problem is from too tight a hatch installation and that you can take a sixteenth off the hatch just a well as anyone, better than most. My $.02. Unfortunately (or fortunately) it's all part of the learning process for almost any yaker... __________________ "I Brake for Halibut"

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09-27-2010, 08:51 AM	#1
sasha Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 275	Thanks IceMan i shall try to sand it down ever so lightly. Just enough to take off most of the wheel marks. Maybe if i smooth it out that would solve all the problems. So instead of driving down south i can hit the ocean

09-27-2010, 10:19 AM	#2
jbm Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Escondido<->Carlsbad Posts: 81	Did you leave it in the sun before it wouldn't close? It could be the heat caused the plastic to expand and distorted the hatch frame. I would observe whether the temp of the kayak affects the hatch operation.

09-27-2010, 02:37 PM	#4
Mad Daddy Father of two Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Corona Posts: 22	I have a stealth 12 so no rear hatch but I do have problems with the side hatches. It seems that the inner bags if not pushed all of the way down onto the tabs stick up just enough to keep the hatch from latching. It is very annoying since everytime I need to get something out it pulls the bag up and I have to re-seat the bag again. The up side is having such easy access storage on both side is great. I read the description and saw that the 14 has a bag in the rear hatch as well and that could be your problem.

09-27-2010, 04:06 PM	#5
sasha Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 275	Jbm It was sitting in the sun but when i tried to close it. Was after it set in the shade for a while. MrJb I do think the hatch is too tight as i mentioned before there are marks that someone was using a dremel type tool to remove some plastic to fit the hatch. There is a 90 day warranty for leaks and i heard nothing but good things about Andy just wanted to make sure its right before the warrenty is up and its a LONG drive from chatsworth. I also know i can make a much smoother surface on the hatch.. Mad Daddy i took that bag as soon as i had the problem thinking it was sticking.. I would try Andy advice and see if i can clean up and smooth up the cover, if it would not help then i would drive down there.. hope to hit the ocean on thursday. Sasha