2015 AI review

Just posted a review on the new AI. For the TLDR crew... its awesome. Those of you who have one on order... prepare to be happy!

http://slhobie.com.au/info/articles/560-adventure-island-2015-review

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Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au

Great review!

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

Nice review Josh

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

Thank you Yakass for a very good review!

Is the diff really as much as 30 kg??

Yes I know that the old AI had a stated weight at 52 kg but I thought that was a bit underestimated..

br
thomas

A very detailed review there Yakass.
KPD brings up a valid point. Both Mingle and myself have reported our AIv1's weighed around 70 kg, so assuming Hobie's weights are now accurate, the difference between AIv1 and AIv2 is only about 14kg, not 30kg. Considering the improvements made in the upgrade to v2 that's not such a penalty.

As expected, we know it's a much better trimaran.
What I've yet to read is just how much less of a kayak it really is?

I haven't commented on its kayaking performance because I was having too much fun sailing it to bother - it was rather windy each time I have used it so far. I will add more content to the review as I cover more areas of its performance in alternate configurations. I don't think its going to be quite as fast as the adventure hull as a kayak, but I do think its going to be faster than everything else they make, apart from the TI (with two users).

I think its safe to assume that if kayaking is more important to you, stick with the old one. If sailing performance, comfort, carrying capacity, expedition suitability and even 'fishability' is more important, I'd say the new one is superior.

Kal... you might be right. The new AI does not feel 30kg heavier, no. Thats just the difference in old specs vs current specs. I think people are only likely to notice much difference if they try and haul it around fully rigged (which is still quite achievable). Personally I just take my time and assemble it waterside. I reckon a dolly would be the best way to haul it fully rigged, same as the TI

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Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au

Have updated the review with a few more thoughts, as well as a few new photos and video screenshots. We'll post a video review soon. Photo at the bottom shows the new system we've come up with for mounting RAM balls to the xbar. http://slhobie.com.au/info/articles/560-adventure-island-2015-review

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Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au

Now that is a pretty, beautiful, clean mount.

is it just extending the xbars bolts, or a different set altogether?

I'm interested in that Fishing rod holder Ram T bar mount. Couldn't find it online

correction X bar

Thanks for the great review Josh. Just what I needed to help me make my decision.

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

Stevo & Seaworthy, that is what Hobie refer to as a RAM space saver mount. It is available from any Hobie dealership. Part# 72023002.
To fit it we use an extra standard Island xbar lower bracket, and cut it down to size to exactly the same height as the top bracket, and we use that to replace the top bracket. This provides a nice flat surface on top for mounting the RAM component. The holes in the space saver mount almost line up perfectly with the xbar brackets, so it's pretty easy to fit. We had to use longer bolts though, 3" 1/4 UNC



If you're based in AUs you can get them online here: http://slhobie.com.au/gear/mounts/562-ram-space-saver-mount

The bottom bracket part # is 79510731, available from any Hobie dealer. We don't have them listed online (until now we've never known any reason for people to have to replace them - they don't break) but we reckon this mount system will be reasonably popular, so we will order some in and get them listed.

Slaughter, you're welcome mate. I plan to add to it after I spend some time using it in kayak and outrigger mode. Video review will be coming soon to, to which end I have already collected some great footage

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Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au

Those secured bases for the rod holders look interesting, Josh. Love to hear more about their performance in time. I'm still using the Railblaza Rail mounts and they have performed wonderfully, trick is to add some kind of griping onto the rail so they can firmly secure against it without slipping, plus longer bolts.

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Mark
Tandem Island- 2013
2 - Sports - 2014

CR Yaker, the mount system is great, and super solid. I have tested how solid it is by physically ripping a rod holder right off the mount several times, which I did to demonstrate to the staff here what happened when a mako shark grabbed my lure on the weekend. Yes, it is possible to rip a ram rod holder (especially a tube) right off the mount if you use enough force. I lost a $1000+ outfit when this happened. It was a huge hook up that I wasn't expecting given where I was fishing. Pretty angry at myself over that because I knew it was possible (albeit unlikely)

I have since remedied this with a temp leash from holder to xbar, but have plans to secure it better with a brace when we get the right components in (I have reasons to opt for a brace, but I'll spare the details on that until I have something to show).

So the mount itself can stand up to a lot of pressure, but the rod holder - especially tubes - need to be well secured. There is a reason I am using tubes and nothing else - the rod butt is concealed in the tube, and never gets in the way of anything. A rod holder that allows the butt to protrude is probably going to get caught by the main sheet at some point.

In that photo you can kind of see the 3-1 block system I have used to build a HD retracting leash into the RAM tubes. I am using a similar 4-1 system for the rod extender tubes. Its an elaborate system to achieve what I'm looking for (I hate loose ends), but it works really good. I'll show some more of that after a bit more field testing

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Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au

Great review Yakass.
Looking forward to your video review

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