TI aka failures, amas collapsing, etc.

What is the Hobie suggested way of stiffening the TI? eg aka failure, etc. are diagrams available?

Since it has not been much of a problem, I'm not aware that Hobie has offered any such ideas.

The akas generally don't fail, unless and until one comes out of the shoulder socket, which they aren't prone to do. Sometimes when people assemble a boat they may not push them in all the way. I have a thick bungee strung between mine so that they stay in with positive tension, lest I do something incorrectly and not get them pushed all the way in.

Aka brace failures are usually the result of the sacrificial plastic bolt breaking due to hitting something, or fatigue. Several on this forum have rigged a variety of lines to ensure that they akas do not fold in should such a thing happen.

Could sand in the AKA locking mechanism cause difficulties?

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Fair Skies, Max.

If it keeps the akas from fully seating, yes. But at some point the onus falls on the operator/owner to make sure his boat is assembled properly. When that takes place, accidents due to equipment failure are few and far between.

Anyone that flys will understand what I'm about to say - "SOP."

OK, but what is the "Inspection" for a properly seated AKA?

Pull it, Wiggle it, jump up and down on it, check button seating, hammer it in?

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Fair Skies, Max.

Typically if you can't pull it out then it's seated properly and locked in.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

Exactly. Push it in fully, then test it by pulling out on it. If it's in and locked, then it's in and locked.

Well that's what I would do in any case and I'm sure most people would.

Including AI2 experienced people like Chekika yet he and others still suffered pull-outs and now use Safety Lines.

Since it's not plausible that all Pull-Outs are caused by incorrect assembly or over-stress could there not be another reason for some of the incidents?

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Fair Skies, Max.

Twist it while push/pulling it. That should do it.

Install safety lines anyway.

Then sail like a madman, confident that something else will have to break, to ruin your day.

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The Wind Is Your Friend...

Lol OK, that sounds like something extra I can do, the madman bit anyway.
My inexperience with the new system is the core of questions, my new AI awaits in the garage for it's wetting.

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Fair Skies, Max.

Safety lines for the akas, keep-out lines for the amas, righting lines, better location for main line cam cleat, tethers for the Vantage seat, etc. You can see it all here http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=7276&start=750

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

Mine pulled out underway. My dealer has seen this issue on my new boat and one other new one.
I watched the Hobie Rep pull and jerk hard on mine (even with one foot on the hull). When it came out, he said "it should'nt do that".

Something is evidently keeping it from inserting all the way. Look inside and see if by chance one of the cleat screws is sticking down far enough to prevent the aka plug from fully inserting to the point that it locks in place. I seem to remember that one or two people had posted about something similar a few years ago.

I have the tramps on mine and once in a while the tramp gets trapped in the joint on the front aka preventing the aka from snapping in properly. I have actually had passengers go in the water when the aka slips out. Now I always give it a tug to make sure it is latched all the way.
Bob

I once saw a topic listing all the Island issues and the status describing the fix (From owners or Hobie suggested fix). Nice if we can start that again so we don't have to repeat topics. That can also serve as a checklist for old owner and increase our confidence that we've covered all safety related issues and not missing new ones...Things can get complicated if we don't receive guidance from experts nor from Hobie.

To name the few based on my own experience:

- loose Hex Bolt
- AKA collapsing causing Capsize
- Misalligned Front and Rear Rudder Control Handle
- Limiter (not sure what to call this one)
- Deformed rudder rear line entrance. Causing more water to enter inside Hull. Hull can take more water when capsize with bigger opening I think.

Sorry if some are not clearly described. Nice if the experts can post this kind of topic seperately that can easily be seen by new owners as they're the one who needs this the most.