Hobie Adventure Island Auto Bilge, Batt. Box and Hatch Mods.

Can we stop or deal with our leaking issue?
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[@jimcrackery8321]

I would put the fuse inside the battery box to help keep the saltwater and corrosion off of it. I would also make sure to carry spare fuses. Don't forget to take your manual pump as well just in case! Great video and nice work! I'm really wanting an AI so bad right now I can't stand it but don't have the funds. lol I guess I'll just have to live vicariously through you!

[@FloridaManTV]

Thanks Jim! I wanted to put the fuse in the box, but I’d have to have all 4 wires in the box and then install 4 plug in style connectors to the lid. I thought about it after I made the box and might get some marine plugs later to do this. For now I just rigged it as is to get on the water again. I will always take the manual pump as well. Thanks for watching the vid and hope you get your AI soon. I know what it’s like to watch vids on KZbin and want an AI. Took me 2 years to finally get mine. 🤘

[@arctictandemisland7270]

Your boat is more advanced then our frigates over here. Thank you for sharing this. Man, you could put out fires with that.

[@FloridaManTV]

🤣 Thanks man! I tend to go overboard on my builds. No pun intended 🤣

[@johnchan6191]

Wow, xcellant diy bilge pump, nice test result. Thx 4 showing yur DIY method. Alot of gr8 ideas. Thx 4 sharing on Utube.

[@FloridaManTV]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@Siravingmon]

Thanks for this!

[@FloridaManTV]

No prob! Thanks for watching.

[@markhansen3111]

cool videos. Nice Job. I appreciate your work. MH

[@FloridaManTV]

Thank you MH! I enjoy creating content for you guys. 🤘

[@markc7703]

i think the easiest way is to fill some swim noodles in side the hull. that can makes the kayak unsinkable

[@FloridaManTV]

I think I’ve got it pretty fail safe (I think). I was out in the Atlantic with no issues since. But, I like this idea when going on a long trip and lots of gear (which I think was my issue of overloading the hull). Pool noodles might give me a little more buoyancy in the event of a full swamping incident. Thanks for the tip! I appreciate the support!🤘

[@joshuacrossing7117]

Hello Mr. Man, Nice video, thanks! I can see how a check valve might be a good add. I wonder how the auto switch works in practice? To point, the boat rocks, auto switch turns off and on for short runs, not enough to pump out the water until you have a great deal of water. so your battery is working but you don't see any water coming out so you think all is well. i might have a dead switch for the main power to the pump. i like the idea of the manual switch. i have had auto switches in all my boats and i don't trust them. i always use the manual switch, to make sure the pump is working, that the auto switch switch didn't get jammed in the off position with a piece of debri. most of my boats also have manual pumps that can dry out and the bladders crack, so i test them all the time too.! Keep up the good work!

[@FloridaManTV]

Thanks Joshua! Manual switch is a must for sure. I’d like to have gotten a pump with a hydrostatic switch. But they are pricy for my liking. I understand everyone’s concern with sloshing water and how much is needed to activate the float. I think in practice/use, the manual is the way to go or only hook up a manual switch. Having even a manual switch electric bilge is just nice price of mind.

[@sebell69]

Great video (I saw your adventure video and watch you almost "sink"). Few thoughts on the cabling and connections that you did -None of the connectors are waterproof -Should have put the fuse Inside the battery box -In harbor freight they sell a box of "rubber seals" just in case the wire exiting out of the plastic ammo box leaks in the future -If you open the bilge pump you can probably adjust the floater that controls the "auto" mechanish that activates the pump -Put the pump in the "lowest" point inside your kayak when "in" the water! On another note I was thinking why not put everything more to the middle and "level" but thinking about sailing you want to have the bow as high as possible w/o loosing stability and sailmanship (so the battery box and pump toward the rear would be better). Take your hand pump just in case (better safe than sorry). Its been my experience that the SEA does NOT forgive (and does NOT tolerate fools either). Happy sailing (fair winds to you)

[@FloridaManTV]

Thanks for all the tips! I’ll look into it. I realized the fuse thing after the fact but it is a rubber fuse holder that’s supposed to be waterproof as it is made for the bilge? Don’t know how true that is in practice though. I kept all the connections outside the box and it is the battery I am most concerned about (cost). I will be doing the Florida 120 sail again this spring and I’ll be able to test out all my upgrade over the same conditions. This should make a good “update” video and proof of concept. I will also be packing all gear outside in dry bags to not lower the hull to much (I hope). Thanks for the support! I appreciate it and will look harder at your improvement tips! 🤘

[@ujoel2]

I like that black downward facing cover your wires come out of the hull from. What is that called? You show it at 8:18.

[@FloridaManTV]

They are wire vent covers, or commonly called “cable clam shells”. Here is an Amazon link: amzn.to/3VyzhMV

[@TheClearchoice18]

You need to add a one way valve

[@FloridaManTV]

Yes, you are correct. I did purchase one and have since installed it in prep for this year’s 120 mile sail. Thank you for mentioning it in case someone else sees your comment and didn’t think of it.

[@maxwellmark]

The pill that activates your PFD seeks moisture…and it’s accumulative, meaning each time it absorbs moisture the decay is permanent until finally it fails. I had one deploy simply from the damp condensation inside a boat overnight…scared the crap out of me. That’s why they should be replaced annually or whenever exposed to damp conditions. I don’t think auto inflation is needed on these small boats anyway. Hard to imagine a scenario where I’m knock unconscious into the water. Now on a craft with a boom… that’s different.

[@FloridaManTV]

Thanks man. The vest is 2 months old but stored in humid environments. So, I’ll store it inside. I like auto inflate because it is thin and comfortable. Even the smallest static PFD bothers me. Thanks for watching the vid and your advice!🤘

[@FloridaManTV]

Ahh. Good idea thanks! Manual inflate on the list.

[@tomadams2319]

Did you sell your AI? No AI videos since this one in mid-June. I really wanted to see the follow-up on how all your changes, especially the front hatch sealing and the bilge pump worked. Do you still have leaking in the hull?

[@FloridaManTV]

Still have it. I am actually filming videos this week and will be posting soon. It’s been super hot this summer and simply miserable to be bobbing around in the gulf/bay. Thanks for following and your support. I got ya on the updates soon!

[@hakan7346]

Hmm when you are in a choppy sea I wonder if the auto bilge sensor will come on even if there is no water. Because the boat shakes a lot. And if it does, it might brake the pump if it runs dry or powers on and off continiously

[@FloridaManTV]

Good thought! It takes quite a bit of force to loft the lever. And the throw on the lever is pretty big. It would only be momentary as well. So I think it is good, but I’ll listen to see if I hear it. Good looking out! I just sailed the Atlantic and had no issues. Vid coming soon! 🤘

[@hakan7346]

@@FloridaManTV Can't wait for the vid to come out. Also if the pump is at the stern there may be no problem since its the bow thats usually the most shaky part. These hobies look great but they cost a small fortune where I live (Turkey) and there are no used ones around. There is also the question of durability but your videos gave me some idea about that. I ve seen other channels too. The pins seem to break quite easily and I know they are designed to fail before the main parts do and thats a positive point however I ve seen a wave breaking one of the trampoline arms and that is just too easy of a fail for my taste. However I keep my hopes up and I constantly try to MacGyver my way around those issues in my mind incase I ever find myself losing all sense and buy one of these beauties.

[@FloridaManTV]

You should definitely get one if you can some time. Keep an eye out for used ones. Might get lucky. I have had no fear of an AKA breaking and regularly put my wife on the trampoline with no worries of failure. I did break a rudder pin (my fault) on my 120 mile sail (search my channel for “epic 120 mile sail” and it should come up. I learned a lot on that trip and it might ease your worries about failures on the water. 🤘 Thanks again for the support! I appreciate it!