Capsized TI on a broad reach...

Couldn't believe my eyes, was like slow motion, starboard front aka popped out of its mounting, it all folded back, rear brace plastic nut and bolt sheared as designed, and over i went.. tore a hole in the ama where the rear aka plugs in...

Got it righted easily enough... limped to nearest island with collapsed aka/ama found some floatsam tied it to ama to keep it from sinking..

has this happened to anyone else... almost caught it on video! only pictures

i loved this craft... gutted

[youtube]http://youtu.be/pCDnih_vgBE[/youtube]

I think you get the prize as the first to huli a TI. Thanks for the report.

Sounds like the Ama was twisted around backward at the rear connection? Think it's repairable?

If the Aka hardware wasn't bent, you may be able to get off relatively cheap.

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The Wind Is Your Friend...

Gannet73:
Congrats, I think you might be the first to actually turtle a TI. I had a similar mishap when I first got my TI (but didn't turtle). My sister in law was riding on the trampoline and the front AKA came out, she ended up in the water, you should have seen her face when it happened, I have never seen so much fear. I had one of the earlier boats with the bad latches, once they were replaced never had a problem since, but then again I always double check them now and also lash a rope across from one AMA to the other tying to the center lug on each AMA (when planning rough seas). This keeps the AMA's from folding, and also stops them from flopping around in rough seas.
It never crossed my mind that a puncture in an AMA is possible (that would suck). I think I will start packing some tape and marine goop in my tool kit from now on.
Bob

Early TI's had a problem with the aka releasing while sailing. Happened a couple of times to me! It was tolerances on part of the locking mechanism and Hobie cam out with a fix, and then replacement parts. I haven't heard of any problems since then. My boats all have Sprayskirts the also hold the front aka's in. I still use the spectra string leashes I made for the back aka's so that NEVER happens again.

For reference: at the end of... http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=33422&p=133000&hilit=aka#p133000

http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=28423&hilit=Aka+Locking

http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=25900&p=108108&hilit=http%3A%2F%2Fi196.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa65%2Fkayakingbob%2FP6043803.jpg#p108108

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

Gannet73,
Bad luck, but hopefully you should be able to get back on the water soon enough. This is a rare event, though as seen in the older posts not unheard of. It would be worthwhile checking to see if you have the modded fittings as described in the older posts.
A couple of questions:
What was the windspeed?
Was it the lee ama and was it mostly submerged?
Was the sail furled?
I too was surprised about the ama puncture.
Thanks for the heads up.

it was moderate day, flat sea, sail was 3/4 open, yes was the lee ama, posting video on youtube as couldn't put pictures up... purchased kayak this year, came out of factory around october 2010...

im still speechless must be the hypothermia...

Glad that no one was hurt.
Your boat is still under warranty so it can't hurt to ask.
Does the plastic look any thinner around the area of the hole?

To post photos, need a photo hosting site like photobucket and then you put the link.

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put video on my first post...

Where boats come to die????
Nice video under the circumstances but ...Weird place to have such an odd failure.

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Hmm - think mine came out of factory in Oct 2010 too

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Mickey
2016 AI Hibiscus
purchased NEW Nov 2021 - My 5th
Adventure Island Sailing since 2008

Contact your dealer with details.

If the aka castings are not properly locked in... could happen.

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

thanks for all your informative posts.. will be using the modifications when my baby is all fixed! this Ama released after 8 hours on the water....

Gannet73:
I know why my AKA fell out ( I think), it was caught on the trampoline and hadn't latched in all the way. I always check for that now too.

Bob