Campaign to keep the TI handles ...add your name here

Jacques or Matt
Your comment about the larger sail area and larger amas got me wondering if the new design could be used with the old AI design.
I'm specifically interested in swapping out my 2013 A.I. amas with the 2015 A.I. amas and also putting the new 2015 A.I. sail on it also. Would it also require a new taller 2015 A.I. mast to accomodate the new design sail and would the mast fit in the 2013 hole?
I would think that a simple retrofit like this would be cheaper then buying a new 2015 A.I. and would also increase the performance of the 2013 A.I. significantly.
(2) 2015 A.I. amas
(1) 2015 A.I. sail
(1) 2015 A.I. mast
Could you give me your opinion on this tweaking process ?

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Crossbar spacing is different (amas would not fold correctly, I think). Mast Receiver to bearing plate is deeper. Mast would not fit the current hulls. Moving the collar would cause more load. Maybe you could modify the bearing plate position.

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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 tweaking definitely would cause more economic disadvantages then physical advantages.
I wasn't sure how compatible the plug and play system was.
However, I'd rather read about it here then learn the hard way by trying to do it.
Thanks for your timely response.

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How about just including unattached handles with the boat and letting the customer decide if they want to install them or not? I was not made aware that the handles would be removed when I pre-ordered my 2015 TI. I'm pretty sure I would use the handles and it seems like there is a majority of forum posters that would as well. If Hobie is so good about listening to their customers then why not a compromise?

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

• Trampolines
• Hobie cover
• Davis Spar Fly
• Kayakbob's Sprayskirts
• Spine Board Hakas

My canoe had handles and I used them each time I used it.

My jon boat had handles and I used them each time I used it.

My TI has handles and I use them each time I use it. Unlike the above vessles, I use the TI handles while underway not just while loading and unloading.

This is more help for me to resist the urge to buy a new TI

Hope the new AI has handles.

( Fancy designing a TI without our input )

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

The Hobie site does not show handles on the AI. I figure I can add my own if necessary--yes, I think they are.

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

Looking forward I'm pretty certain I will want to accessorize my boat with handles.
In the discussion about the pre 2015 handles the only negative I remember was the "water scooping issue ".
Is that problem specific to the molded through handhold or would it also be a problem for a surface mounted handle installed in the same position ?
Are there other "negatives" to applying surface mount handles that others have experienced ?
Any pros/cons to a Hobie accessory handle vs others ?
Would you locate an accessory handle in the same location as the pre 2015 one ?
Would you add additional handles elsewhere ?

Thanks

Chris

I wouldn't get too torqued up until you start using your TI. I know lots of folks are against the redesign without the side handles. I don't think I've used mine, other than to flip the boat over to empty water out of the mast recess after rinsing it. I car-top mine and use the crossbars and rear handle, but not the side handles.

Also, I've never had spray issues with mine, although I use tramps and spray skirts from Kayaking Bob. Folks here have said that you can just stuff a bit of pool noodle in the handle and boom, problem solved, so I wouldn't stress over adding handles either.

I will agree that it is an odd feature to remove, and I don't understand why, but I also know that the deal is pretty much done (per Matt Miller's posts). Either way it wouldn't prevent me from buying a 2015 model if I was in the market - if nothing else, just for the gangsta new seat setup.
-RH

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2013 Tandem Island "Victory Lane"
Oahu, Hawaii
www.rotorheadsblog.blogspot.com

I use the seat straps to pull my Maui over on it's side. Now you can use the seat crossbars as well as aka crossbars as hand holds. As far as carrying... with 4 people you would carry by the akas near the hull. Like a king! I think the old side handles would be horrible to carry the hull by.

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

I'm not "torqued" about not having handles ( any longer ), just investigating the alternatives. It's a well intended question.
But thanks for the input.

Taking Matt's King carrier further:
If I took the amas\akas off I could insert a lengthwise handle into the aka holders and carry the boat like a coffin
And at death my relatives could stuff me in the forward hatch and just bury or throw me in the sea, boat and all.
Whoever does this first deserves credit in the book of Island world records.

- Chris

I found handles very helpfull on my last AI, so what would make the new hull any different? Will there be handles on the amas?

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Every day is an Adventure Island day

Yes.

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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 Oasis I had was without side handles. I added my own after market ones using 2" x 6" x 1/4 thick strips of plastic cutting board to brace them from the inside. The strips had 2" x 2 " of cutting board back plates screwed to firmly hold ss nylock nuts tapped in to holes just large enough to grip the nut points. All other holes were the diameter of the hardware and sealed. I started with the backing plate, and used it for a templet against the hull. It worked very well, however, unless I find I really really need side handles on a new 2015 TI, I don't plan to be drilling holes in it. I'll just have to wait and see.

Drewyaker :
I've relinquished the fact that the handles are now gone on the 2015 and forward TI's, and I will deal with it when I need to when I upgrade to a newer model (probably sometime next year, once they are readily available).
I was just commenting about my own experiences with my 3 TI's, and what I thought about the usefulness of the handles when handling the TI hull, I like you had an old Oasis without any handles and it was the most awkward kayak I ever owned (just no place to grab). I just didn't want Hobie to go backwards and re-create a very undesirable kayak ( a little late now since the handles are now officially gone (LOL)).
I'm fine with their decisions, and will work around as needed if I feel I need to, it's not like it's the end of the world, no matter how you cut it, the TI is a great boat, handles or no handles.....
I'm good
Bob