Best way to store/launch when you LIVE on your lake ???

I've searched the archives under "store" and 'launch' to find out how people who just have to drag their AI up on shore ONLY end up storing their AI temporarily between use. I live twenty feet from our lake and would like to be able to leave the AI assembled with amas, mast etc as much as I can between using it. Since I don't have to car top/trailer it, it's not necessary to dismantle each day. I saw one post where the guy put 10 foot drainage pipes on each side of the hull (by the way, what kind of drainage tile? ...the 'accordion' style?) to keep the weight stresses off the hull with amas on. Anybody have any other ideas? Do you tarp it then when storing in the 'up' position so the cockpit doesn't fill with leaves and debris? I do have the knobby rubber tire version of the cart by the way. thanks

I once kept mine assembled for about three weeks on the standard Hobie trolley with cart clamps fitted and the bow end resting on a C-Tug kayak cart. There were no apparent adverse effects. It's important to have the cart clamps on the Hobie trolley, to prevent the horizontal bar from leaving a dent in the hull and yes, you need a tarp to prevent debris collecting and to stop rainwater accumulating in the mast receiver.

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amas in or amas out? (any difference to stress caused by wheels/cart)

As it happened, the amas were out, but I don't know if that matters or not.

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I'm quite surprised that the hull was not dented in some way. A true testament to the cart clamps I guess! I would still not advise storing any kayak on a scupper cart though. These are for short term movement of the boat to and from the water only.

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

Matt, so then what is YOUR preferred way to store the AI fully assembled on land at lakeside?

When we rented a beach house on the Gulf we left the Islands fully assembled and with the amas in the out position. Did remove the mast and the seats. We had the luxury of soft sand so all we did is rock the boat a little to get the sand to form a nice cradle to evenly distribute the weight. Cart was removed.

Boats were in use during the day so no worries about UV from daytime storage.

Maybe make a large "sandbox" and then put up a simple carport frame and tarp setup to keep the sun off of it.

As long as the weight of the AI is spread out over 100's of square inches of bottom, it should do fine. I find that the hull forward of the Mirage drive well is stronger and each of mine rest on a carpet covered 2 x 6 about 3-4' from the bow. Aft of the Mirage drive well is more finicky and can oil-can easier so on my rack I use a pool noodle (with a plastic drip line over a rope through it) to hold them it up. For over 3 years it's worked well, 365 days a year without a problem.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

(with a plastic drip line over a rope through it)

I cannot think what this might be or look like. Can you help a yank understand? Thanks!

From a old Connecticut Yankee to another yank, sure!

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

Just shootin' the breeze here, but since a number of people store their boats on their trailers, couldn't you set up a "stationary trailer". Say, two wooden sleepers resting on the ground with saddles on them. If you had them at the right height, you could leave your trolley in, the way Stringy and Roadrunner do, so you could just wheel the boat up and slide it over the back saddle, which would be just high enough off the ground to take the weight off the trolley.

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Some interesting ideas/photos etc here - just keeping an eye on the thread

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

ChrisJ, could you translate what "wooden sleeper" means? Your idea has fired off a few more design ideas, but not sure what you meant. Also, everyone, if you leave the amas on and in the extended position and just leave the AI parked on the grass, wouldn't the amas (or at least the one that it's leaning on) be enough to 'spread the load'. Then you could just tarp it to keep debris out. What are the problems with that?

I was just thinking of something that was stable and would support the sort of kayak saddles they use on roof racks. Now I think of it some more, how about four heavy wooden blocks supporting 1" square profile tubular steel rods, like they use for heavy duty roof racks? I'm pretty sure Thule has saddles to fit that arrangement.
As to leaving it on the ground with the amas extended, I would have thought the ama the boat was leaning on would have minimal effect in reducing the load on the hull, while the weight of the opposite ama would actually increase it. The problem is that at the points where the hull contacts the ground, the pressure can be considerable if the contact isn't spread over a wide area. As Yakaholic mentioned, bedding the hull into soft sand seems to work for spreading the load. I've found that too and have even slept on the boat on soft sand. Unfortunately, that is a luxury you probably don't have. Also, if you are using a trolley to wheel the boat up to its resting place, how are you going to get it back in when you want to launch?

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A couple of folding camp stools make an effective cradle that prevents hull distortion.
I haven’t tried it on the AI but this works well on our Tandem and Adventure when we are camping. For the AI you may need to add a support under the ama.
Just lift the stern and place a stool under then do the same to the bow. The cart remains in place ready to roll.


The crossbar on the cart is what causes hull distortion. The cart clamps are an improvement but still don’t support the hull evenly. Roadrunners tennis ball solution is still the most effective IMHO.
On my lighter duty cart I have reversed the clamps and added half a rubber ball to ensure even contact with the hull.
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