AI with tramps ... a gust nearly knocked me over

There's never a camera around when you need one.

I would have paid to see that.

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The Wind Is Your Friend...

Chris, I believe a real poll would reveal that more capsizes occur due to aka collapse than any other cause.
Having tramps deployed reduces the chance of this happening to practically nil.

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The Wind Is Your Friend...

I don't think aka collapse was an issue till the advent of the TI either. The only way the AI is likely to collapse an aka is after a collision, at which time you would presumably reef the sail pretty quick.
I'm not trying to put down the idea of tramps, especially with supermodels in place, but it is good to know that you can go out in almost any wind in an AI and know you are not going to capsize if you don't have the tramps deployed. (I have a set of half-tramps myself).

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Chris,

Where did you get your "half tramps?"

Keith

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

I got them on ebay Keith. Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hobie-Mirage-Adve ... _500wt_928

and here are my comments after I got them: viewtopic.php?f=69&t=14177&p=84355&hilit=ebay#p84355

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I was out the other day in big winds, and tried furling in the sail to keep things in check, and then tried hiking out. I can't say with any certainty that the winds were the exact same, but it sure felt a lot faster when I was hiking out with a full sail, compared to when I was sailing with reduced sail area. I'm no super model on the tramps but at about 155 pounds, I find that by sitting close to the kayak, or further out and leaning away, I seem to be able to find that perfect balance myself depending on wind conditions.

It's all about moving around and trying different things. I've perfected the art of steering with my toes and find it more enjoyable to be on the opposite side of the tiller. There was a gust of wind yesterday, that had me laying right flat out on the tramp, with my toes on the tiller, my right hand holding on to the sail line, and my left hand holding on to the rear aka, I had the boat levelled out and FLYING. SO much fun!!

I'm sure the other boaters must think I'm nuts, but you can't argue with a guy who's got a huge perma-grin! I've seen million dollar sailboats go by and they NEVER seem to have as much fun sailing as me... and if you think the million dollar sailboat guys get the supermodels, I'm willing to bet that my boat attracts just as much attention when it's coming to shore as the million dollar boat!



Oooh! Something else to try!!!

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Thanks for the rudder advice Matt - I will check for wear and post a picture and check the drum tension.

If the rudder/hook is worn, what then is the course of action to resolve the problem ?

Also, I thought you'd like to know - I met this guy who is the original owner of an '07 AI, same color as mine, in a remote section of Port Kent NY on Lake Champlain ... he is not "internet-aware" and has never been back to the dealer he bought from - boat is BONE STOCK with original rudder system, mast cup, small rudder ... all of it just like the day he bought it - and it still performs flawlessly. He has a HobieCat 16 and another small single hull and said they've only been out a couple of times since buying the AI - the AI is stored rigged to sail only with covers and is ready to go from April through late October and he's on it as many days of the week as weather will permit.

... and he Kicked my BUTT !! granted, it was only about my 7th or 8th day on the AI, but he knew how to trim that sail for max performance.

Just thought you'd like to hear ...

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Alan W.

Papaya AI2 to replace my well worn V1
TheTwins - His/Hers 2007 Papaya Hobie Adventure Island's (v1.00.01)
.. and a Hobie Outback SUV