Dry-Loading AI-2 On To Hobie Cradles ?

I'm about to pull the rigger on a set of Hobie Cradles for my AI-2, but just realized that I have been making an assumption vis-a-vis loading the AI-2 on to a dry trailer (i.e. in the parking lot, not half in the water on a launching ramp).

My scenario:

• 1) Beach the AI
  .
• 2) Fold in the amas
  .
• 3) Tip the whole thing on it's side using mast for leverage
  .
• 4) Insert 30cm scupper-type beach wheels
  .
• 5) Tip the whole thing back on to the beach wheels
  .
• 6) Roll AI on beach wheels up to the parking lot/trailer
  .
• 7) Slide AI with amas/akas still attached up on to the trailer
  .
• 8) Let the beach wheels fall out as the AI gets raised up on the the cradles
  .
• 9) Strap down the whole schmeer and drive away..

Is anybody actually doing this?

Steps 1-6, I have been doing for a full season now with no apparent issues.

But I am thinking the weak part of my assumption is leaving amas/akas attached when the whole rig is loaded on to the trailer.

I am pretty sure that others do this, but do not know if they are loading with the trailer partially in the water and/or how many highway miles they are racking up in the amas/akas attached configuration.

This probably sounds a little inane.... but I really don't want to blow $250 on cradles only to find that my scenario will not work with them.

_________________
2015 AI in "Dune" - "The Grey Pig"
2017 Trailex 450 Trailer
Pre-September 2015 cradles
(anybody want to buy a slightly-used AI SpinKit?)
eMail: [email protected]

The cradles are designed to hold the whole rig--hull, amas, akas. No problem. On my Trailex trailer, no problem hauling it 150-400 mi at high speeds.

I do not submerge any metal part of my trailer in saltwater.

Keith

_________________
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

I just back the trailer down the ramp and slide my TI on with the amas extended and mast in. I then pull out of the way of the ramp, collapse the amas, take down the mast, and secure everything with straps.

_________________
2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

Put the wheels on while still in the water (~2' deep at the scuppers) would be much easier as long as the shore break is not too bad.

_________________

Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

You can do that with 30cm wheels ?

I guess I have to try it as soon as the water warms up, but I was figuring their bouyancy would be a problem..... Or do you tip the AI on it's side in the water?

_________________
2015 AI in "Dune" - "The Grey Pig"
2017 Trailex 450 Trailer
Pre-September 2015 cradles
(anybody want to buy a slightly-used AI SpinKit?)
eMail: [email protected]

I don't have the beach wheels, but I do have the "heavy duty" wheels. I do it pretty much the way you describe in your initial post, when necessary. However, I generally try not to tip mine over on land using the mast as leverage unless absolutely necessary, just too much stress on the mast for me. I usually just put my back into it and try to lift up the whole shootin' match and do my best to get the wheels in the scupper holes. I am sure that any spectators get a good deal of entertainment out of watching the whole process go down.

I will say that I have an aluminum Trailex trailer and do not hesitate to back it into salt water to load and unload. I just make sure that I hose it down thoroughly with fresh water as soon as possible after doing so. So far (going on 4 years), no visible corrosion or other problems.

I have backed my galvanised steel trailer into the water to launch and retrieve my TI since June 2012, and see ZERO signs of rust on the parts which have been dunked. I do always hoes everything down in fresh water afterwards, but all the time I am out sailing, the empty trailer is wet with salt water.

_________________
Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

If you can't submerge or control the cart under water with the large tires, you can remove the tires to install the cart frame then add the wheels back one at a time after it is in the scuppers.

Also, others have added some water into their wheels to help with this problem.

_________________

Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

I have installed both the scupper and cradle cart in the water but tend to use the scupper cart because it's easier to take along on the boat. I then just roll the boat out of the water and let the scupper cart fall out when I lift onto the trailer. I have tuff tires on my carts.
When launching I pull the boat off of the trailer far enough to insert the scupper cart, then the rest of the way to get the wheels on the ground and roll it back until the bow is on the roller at the back of the trailer.

Lifting the stern is always awkward for me with the steering mechanism in the way of where you would like to stand to do a safe lifting movement. I have considered various ways I might lower my trailer to make loading easier.

Chris