How fast will an AI peddle?

still deciding Getaway vs. AI, wondering about how fast I could peddle one of them. I know its all dependent upon body weight, wind, leg strength, stamina, etc.

But does anyone have a rough idea of what kind of speed through the water ( not over ground) should be attainable and sustainable for about 100 yards for an "average" 50 year old?

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Island life in the Devil's Triangle:
http://2gringos.blogspot.com/

How fast? There are quite a lot of reports coming in. This one is in this forum:

<<It seemed to be able to run along at about 12 to 15 knots on fairly flat water with 20 mph winds. Winds above that just buried the ama and lee side of the yak. At that point it is better to reef and sail flatter.

Riding wave tops and faces gave much faster speeds of I would guess near 20 mph. Talk about thrilling. I don't have a gps so my speed estimates could be off, but I have done a lot of sailing and windsurfing.
>>

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

The only pedal kayak I have ever had is the AI so I can't say if it is any slower than a regular Adventure. I haven't even pedaled mine all that much but it isn't diffucult to maintian a good speed even against wind, waves and tide, which is when I am usally forced to pedal.

I did exactly that when I got blown out of the Bay and had to pedal for about 6 mile to get back to my vehicle, I am 53. Others with gps, in the Adventure, I believe have reported sprinting speeds of 5 to 7 mph and crusing speeds of 3 to 5 mph.

I also have the turbo fins installed and they do help especially when going under bridges against swift currents and wind. They have more resistance than the standard filppers which had next to none but still moved the AI along at a good clip.

For an average old man of 50, using Turbofins, the Adventure should be able to sprint at about 7 +/- .5 MPH. Cruise would be 5 +/- .5. This assumes fairly smooth water, winds less than 5 MPH and a few hours previous time with the Turbofins.

Converting all this to the AI, I would subtract .75 MPH from sprint and .5 MPH from cruise speed. Using the standard fins, I would subtract .5 to .75 MPH from either, at all speeds and configurations.

The Getaway and the AI are such different boats though, you should have one of each: the Getaway for family all day outings where you can trailer it down, bring the grand kids, have the time to rig it, etc; the AI when YOU want to get away -- toss it on the car/truck, quick launch, versatile in all winds (or lack there of), for hassle free sailing.