THE HAKA BENCH SEAT - AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRAMPS

I think I want a set of those.

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I like the look of these things, and I have a few questions.

1. Is there a max total weight that can be put on the akas?
2. Is the weight of a person plus the weight of the seat likely to damage the joint between the akas and the crossbar? Particularly in higher winds when the upwind arma is out of the water and not supported.

I have purchased the wood. got mirbu(?). Used on decking walkways around the coast, so I suppose it should last. Looking forward to warmer weather and lots of time out on the Hobie!

AL
2011 RED AI

Will let Hobie comment on this, but riding out on the tramps has been supported for some time, and this is really no different. Tramps are rated at 200lb, IIRC.

My AI has the 2010 pinned Aka connectors and have no way of knowing how this mod will effect the new knuckled connectors (and the rivets that have been working loose on some boats).

As far as weight distribution, I am finding that my favorite position is in the middle of the seat, which is placed in the middle of the Akas.

If you build the bench to flex slightly, it will be kinder to you and your Hobie.

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The Wind Is Your Friend...

Used the Haka seats for the first time today. 10-15 knots. Worked really well. very happy with them. had a great day. About 25c. 4 hours just mucking around in the gippsland lakes. It doesn't get much better following our winter. Looking foreward to more of the same

AlPal

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AlanK
2011 Hibiscus AI

Man, I'm drooling just by looking at the scenery in this picture... Are there places in Florida that look like this!?

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Hi all:

I really liked your idea NOHUHU, thanks very much for sharing it with us. Despite you do a better DIY job than me, I´m pretty happy with my AKA benches. Here's the vid I have shot while making it.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OZaSkBcFR8[/youtube]

thanks again!

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http://www.youtube.com/user/educavendish?feature=mhee

Like the three board bench excluding the PVC pipe so you can use your tramps.

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Very nice versions and excellent video, cavendish62.

Thick, non-slip padding is a great way to mount the Hakas. As long as they are strapped down well, they will not move.

You also show us how easy it is to mount "custom" accessories to the wood.

Now we just need to make some nice cushions for our benches.

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The Wind Is Your Friend...

Now that the 5,000 plus miles between me and the kayak are finally closed, made a set of benches and installed the new rudder.





Not including water seal, it was was $60 in parts.

Edit: The green cooler in back fits perfectly between the uprights on the wheel frame and the white West Marine cushion float is great for back support.

For a cushion or seat give North Water Four Play Multiple Use Paddle Float a try. Lots of buckles and straps.

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Great mods cavendish and Fly4v!

Looks Badass.

I use the same cushion and cleats.

Can't wait to see a "bamboo" version.

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The Wind Is Your Friend...

So far the thickest bamboo in stock here is about 1" diameter. I was hoping they would import some thicker stuff. They've had it in the past. I'm just stuck about 80% through their typical stock re-ordering cycle right now.

I have been making some things with the smaller bamboo. Curtain rods. A weeding tool, and actually paying attention to bamboo as a building material lately. Attaching pieces together without damaging the bamboo seems to be where it all falls down. It basically needs to be lashed. Putting screws through it destroys it. I have had some luck lately by gluing a hardwood dowel inside an end section and then drilling that.

Stuff is amazingly strong when it's undamaged. I think lashing will look okay on a boat. But a different approach than the wooden slats. Bamboo ones will be more flexible, I think. I am considering essentially a roll-up mat approach.

If I was really limited to 1" diameter bamboo, it's still a feasible thing to try but I think I would be making the hakas a lot wider, using more of them. From an engineering stress standpoint, the hakas do not pull the akas toward each other like the tramps do when weighted.
I still have to work out the best way to take the dog along. He now automatically moves to the windward tramp when we tack.
Proper little sailor.

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

Fly4v benches remind me that, while a cross piece and rounded edges are not needed right at the front and rear of the Hakas, they do help to avoid snagging sheets, fishing lines and the like.

Mine are left open so I can use simple bungie balls to tie the benches on with no PVC sticking out the sides. Extending the PVC rails beyond the wood gives you more mounting options, but takes up wiggle room.

Here's a shot of Kahikolu's strap ons. You could lash, bungie or velcro them in place as well.



(Fly4v, save a little of that water seal for your deck! )

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The Wind Is Your Friend...

The front and rear bars are for avoiding snags, catches, and hope to control the eventual warping but the rounded edges front and bottom are for safety when surfacing. If there is a pointed corner on a swim platform.... I'll be the one to find it.



The deck needing sealed help justify the expense... of course had to have priorities and did the benches first, on the deck, and then finished the deck.

Being in Hawaii, you know caring for a house at the beach is worse than owning a boat. You have the problems of both worlds and cant put to sea when a storms coming.

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