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PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2016 10:39 pm 
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Joined: Sat Apr 28, 2007 11:59 pm
Posts: 586
Location: Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia
The woman I met who had a 2015 AI disconnect/capsize had never heard of the issue or this forum.

No one can say Watertribe identity, "Pelican", does not know how to assemble a TI yet his AKA disconnected in the EC twice forcing him and his teenage nephew to swim for their lives while their TI was smashed on rocks. Just go to 49 minutes in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6tLgJX9niM

I don't think its a problem if you know it may happen and are prepared, but how many AI buyers are not aware of it?

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Fair Skies, Max.


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PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2016 8:23 pm 
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Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2015 1:03 pm
Posts: 20
I will chime in;

Had the same thing happen to me, pretty rough conditions but was cruising along when I saw the rear aka on the leeward side come out. A quick line release and turn into the wind saved me. Crawled back and slammed the arm back into place. Gave a couple of tugs to ensure proper setting the got back underway.

Not 5 minutes later failed again this time full capsize in tough conditions.

I have since leashed then in, but trust once broken is hard to regain.

This topic comes up way too often to not be an issue

Fix it.

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Rob

2014 TI Papaya
Aussieonyak Haka mods
GaryInWI seat mod
Yangler tiller extension
KayakingBob Aka tether
Polytarp Jib


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PostPosted: Mon May 30, 2016 5:48 am 
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Joined: Sat Jun 22, 2013 6:56 am
Posts: 79
Chiming in: it happened to me too, on my 2014 TI. The boat was very new, there was an adult on each tramp and 2 in the boat, and I was never sure if the akas were seated in properly to begin with, as the dealer assembled the boat and I had not yet realized that was something I needed to check--but after dropping off the extra 2 people on the beach, popping the akas back in, and taking the boat back out to sail it to the marina, it popped out again. I haven't had it happen yet on my 2015 TI, but after reading everything here on how often this happens, I'm less inclined now to think it was my fault & I'm going to rig safety lines....


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PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 10:39 pm 
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Joined: Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:19 am
Posts: 374
Location: Australia
I'm on my 4th Island (3rd with V2 aka system), been using them for around 8 years now, countless hours on the water. Never once had this happen to me. Whats more, having worked in Hobie dealerships that entire time and having sold more Islands than I can recall, have only had a couple of customers tell me they have experienced this. And I haven't heard of this happening to any of my/our customers for years. Mind you, when I sell an Isl, I do explain to buyers that when inserting the aka, they should take a moment to make sure it is in fact located correctly (I'm pretty thorough when handing over an Isl).

Now I'm not trying to say that it does not happen (this thread is testimony that it does) but I can safely say that it does not happen with anywhere near the kind of frequency that some of you chaps probably think. It is in fact quite rare. If it was a common thing, believe me, I'd be using 'safety leashes' of some kind, but I just don't feel a need to.

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


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 04, 2016 8:33 am 
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Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 5:25 pm
Posts: 387
Location: Jaco, Costa Rica
I'll chime in on this issue. Regardless of whether the aka's can disengage on their own or not, when properly inserted, safety lines have a twofold purpose. One, to provide as a keeper of keeping the aka's engaged, two to provide a cushion for when a brace fails (plastic pin shears) and prevent the amas from immediately collapsing during high speed and thus keeping the island from rolling over (turtle).

I highly recommend use of Bob's (fusioneng) safety line DIY, it's so simple to do and maintain. I never go out without it, it's just another step in preparation on the beach. You never know if your going to hit something while sailing and shear that pin. One occurance, at a critical moment of adversity, you'll wish you had it or thankful you do. Just ask (Keith) Chekika, I'm sure he wished he had it installed at his critical moment of failure two years ago. Thankfully he only lost some gear and not his life. His experience was my wake up call.

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Mark
Tandem Island- 2013
2 - Sports - 2014


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PostPosted: Fri Feb 19, 2021 5:42 pm 
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Joined: Sat Dec 26, 2020 5:25 pm
Posts: 11
This happened to me recently with a 2019 AI. I hope it was user error though. It was only my third time using the amas, and second with tramps. Because of the tramp fabric, I may not have fully engaged the aka into the crossbar. But, also because of the tramp, the ama did not fold back completely and cause a capsize.

Conditions were nearly no wind, maybe 4' choppy swells, and it happened after being out for 15 minutes or less.

Has anyone encountered this lately? I'm guessing since the last post is so long ago, Hobie has modified things such that this doesn't happen with newer models.


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PostPosted: Sat Feb 20, 2021 7:36 am 
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Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2015 3:13 pm
Posts: 656
Hobie released a modification for the aka / crossbar latch mechanism some time ago. The upgrade significantly improves the latching mechanism. You should still be able to order this from your Hobie dealer.

See: Free Island Updates Announced To Dealers Today

However, your 2019 should already have this upgrade. If you already have this, then perhaps your aka was not fully or properly latched. Always tug hard on the akas to ensure that they're fully latched and secure before sailing. Make this part of your pre-sailing checklist.


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PostPosted: Sat Feb 20, 2021 5:04 pm 
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Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:50 pm
Posts: 116
Location: Highland, IN
I had a 2017 TMI, and I recall that latch update coming out in the spring of 18.


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PostPosted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 8:41 pm 
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Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2021 3:46 pm
Posts: 8
I have a 2009 AI and the AKAs are held to the cross bar by removable steel pins held in position by bungees. Never had a failure like is being described here. I guess its a newer boat problem? I have sometimes looked nervously at the single bungee loops holding the AMAs onto the AKAs and wonder how long they are going to last. I guess storing the boat out of the sun has preserved the rigging but I guess I should prepare for the worst - ie the bungee loop breaking.


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