Just got my AI,,, thanks for your input last winter!

Hi Guys and Gals, I just got my AI !!!. I joined this group last winter. Mondo/Tom, from New Jersey. I had inquired here about lower back issues. Moved to Fl. (wow, it's beeeeeeen Hot Hot Hot this summer.) I finally found a nice used one. 09 model. From "Econo Tackle" in Sarasota Fl.
Very Happy. Picked it up this morning. Drove it home with a used "bed x tender" from them. Excellent transaction from Al, the owner of the kayak portion of the store, ( a large, well run place,,, from first impressions.)

Got home.

Couldn't wait. Tossed it in the canal behind my house as carefully as I could. Used foam pads on the edges of the the dock etc.

I really didn't have alot of time to play,,, am dog sitting some very needy little ones.

It took maybe a half hour to launch first time. U know,,, afraid,,,, cautious,,, etc.

Weeeeeellllllllll!!!!!. I'm THRILLED!

Went down my canal no prob.. then out to the Caloosahatchee River. Fab! Just a lite breeze. But could tell the little sail had plenty of giddy-up even with a big guy like me on board.

I am a very experienced sailor. This is what I was looking for, as an older guy who wants to enjoy the "on water experience" with minimal effort. NO motor! No registration! No hassles! Take care of myself.

I peddled back up my canal against the lite breeze.

Checked on the dogs... and did the whole thing again,,, not much breeze this time,,took it a little easier on my legs this time. No prob.. got up the canal easily. Against the wind.

Just checked it on Google Earth. It's a half mile down that canal. Cooool. No problem peddling that distance!!!
This was the first time I'd been on the water in "my own" water craft in about 3 years. And it was good. Very good!

Thanks for your input last year as I was inquiring about this "toy."

It's cool. My lower back feels fine. The seat is good.

Mondo, Tom

Congrats on your new boat. I'm sure you'll get much fun out of it.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

Congrats Mondo. Funny you sounded as excited as I did when I first got mine and you know what, I feel just as excited about the AI right now as I did a year back. Just can't wait to get out on the water again soon....Pirate

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Master of the galleon 'Pirates Lot'

Good stuff

Bet you got that "AI Smile" now. Hard to get rid of that.

Now we just need some pics!!

Did you get "go fast red" or "chick magnet yellow"?

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I got the "Babe Magnet Yellow" cause that was the used one.

Too hot and no wind today. Can't wait for summer to be over here in SW Fl. It's been really hot.

Mondo,
fighting off all the babes!