New AI addict with a few questions

Finally got myself an AI! Extraordinary fun, crazy, wet little boat! I love it. After quite a few outings, I feel it can handle a lot more than I can yet. A lot to learn, lots of experiences ahead in both the AI mode and in Adventure only mode (which I also love). The only disadvantage is that working feels like a stupid waste of time...

Although I'm not new to hobie kayaks (as I own an oasis for more than two years) I did have lots of AI questions. Most were already answered by you, experienced AI sailors. Thanks for that! Of course I have a few more questions, these pop up to my mind now:

- First, do you pull out the battens when you store the sail? Is that needed? I do it now (I'm raised like that), but it makes rigging slower, so it would be nice if it is safe (for both the sail(shape) and the battens) to keep them in.
- Second, I found that the fitting that holds the webbing at the top of the sail can turn freely. Why is that? Wouldn't it be better if it was fixed to the mast, so that turning the mast forces not only the bottom of the sail, but also the top to turn around the mast, possibly resulting in a better sail shape when reefed?
- What do you do with the seat scupper plugs? Do you keep them in, turned open, or remove them entirely? I feel that they drain rather slow when only turned open, at the other hand they are nice (closed) when paddling only in calmer water.

Thanks again for all your contributions.

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skua

Welcome,

Nope, never even thought about it. I just keep the sail, rolled up, in it's bag.

The way it's designed, probably for less stress. I do tape the two 1/2 mast sections together but for less wear.

I remove them when I got each boat, but I sail only in warm waters

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

Skua, same for me as Bob states above with exception of plugs that I leave in on very quiet days and whilst using as a kyak only. I remove and put them in the pocket at other times. Welcome to the AI community... Pirate

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Master of the galleon 'Pirates Lot'

Congrats on your AI purchase Skua!
What Bob and Pirate said!
No need to remove the battens and I only undo the seat plugs in Summer.
Have you tried the standard sail in Adventure only mode yet with just the daggerboard in and no sidekicks? It's another aspect to the great versatility of the AI and one that I know you would enjoy coming from Oasis sailing as you have.
Any plans to adapt your innovative jib over to the AI?
I suppose it's probably a bit early yet as you're still getting used to the AI .
Looking forward to pics of your adventures and innovations!

Skua,
Congrats on your new AI. Good luck with it!

Thanks all for the welcome and the clear answers. That I can keep the battens in all time is a good thing!
The design of the seat scuppers suggested that they could be left in, with only fastening and loosening them, but it rather seems to be an "in or out" question, depending on the conditions.

Bob, I also taped the mast sections after your tip on your site. I did draw the wrong conclusion from that, thanks for pointing that out.

Stringy, I do not have a small sail adapter yet, so I didn't try that out, but I'm sure I will!
I did allready try out the oasis jib on the AI. It really squeezes some extra speed out of the AI in light winds. But it is no good for the helm balance (far too strong lee helm imo, as was to be expected). I will try my alu drive sock (or brake) to check if some sort of daggerboard in the drivewell repairs the helm balance. If it does, I think I make a jib for the AI, in the right dimensions, hopefully as good looking yours, 69cpu! I then also have to make the dagger plug after your idea, stringy. All in all, it might be winter when I'm done, too busy now with sail/yakking!

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skua