Replacing 2012 AI with 2017 AI or TI

Very sadly, my 2012 AI and Trailex trailer were stolen from my backyard last night. I am not optimistic about it being recovered. I really loved my AI, so I want to replace it. I'm leaning towards a Tandem Island just to have the capability to take someone else occasionally. The thief did not get my Mirage Drive, trampolines, or my custom made teak hakas, so it could be a factor if there is parts compatibility between 2012 AI and 2017 TIs for the Mirage drive (mounting... I know the newer ones have reversing drives) and spacing between akas. If any of my parts will fit the 2017 TI, I'd really like to know. I'd like to know if they would fit the new AI, also.

Sorry to hear about your loss. Unfortunately there were design changes between 2012 and 2015 that would preclude using your tramps or hakas on either a newer AI or TI. Good news is that you could probably sell your equipment to help offset the costs of your new boat. I know there was someone in the forums looking for a spare drive. Good luck with getting your new boat!

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

Yes, sorry for your loss. I don't believe your drive will fit properly in a 2017 AI 2. Maybe the tramps can be modified to fit, but I don't know. The spacing between the akas is smaller in the 2017 vs a 2012. Depending on how your hakas were designed, you may be able to easily modify them to fit the 2017.

Regarding the possibility of getting a TI rather than an AI 2, the main virtue of a TI is its sociability. After years of avoiding a TI (I had 2 AIs), I finally broke down and purchased a 2014 TI. I will NEVER use it as a solo boat (I do have a 2015 AI 2), but as a boat to take a 2nd or 3rd person out, it is excellent. Everything which I said above about the drive, tramps, and hakas, applies to the TI.

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

that just sucks getting the boat stolen..

I went from a 2010 AI to a 2015 TI and have been very pleased. I initially picked the TI so that I could get my wife involved more and that has worked out. However I have also come to appreciate sailing it solo. The TI comes best set up for sailing solo from the front seat. Some people like it better from the front seat but I prefer the rear seat and have done some mods to make the TI best controlled from the rear seat. Ive come to really like sailing the TI solo. One example.. on my old 2010 AI, if I sailed down wind in a a good breeze, the front of the boat would spend a lot of time underwater. The TI in the same conditions sailed from the back seat just glides over the swell. I would get soaked on the AI, its much drier on the TI. The old AI was a good craft for downwind but the TI is a GREAT craft for high down wind sailing..

I used to car top the old AI fairly easy. I have car topped the 2015 TI for a special case (took it to the San Juan Islands about a year ago and it was very nice to at least have the option to car top) but its a much heavier boat and best launched from a trailer. But with a trailer, its still about the fastest and easiest sail craft I have owned to get on and off the water.

I think I would also like the new AI however..

Consider this topic closed - questions answered.

Thank you, Old Salts. Yes, I should sell the incompatible parts (Mirage Drive, trampolines) after getting a 2017 model. Good to know they wouldn't work on a 2017 AI, either. That makes it easier to decide between that and a tandem.

The Mirage Drive should work fine in your new AI/TI. Try it on your new boat before you decide to sell it, especially if you buy another AI. A spare drive on an AI is great (TI already has a second).

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

I got a 2016 Adventure Island recently to replace the 2012 model. The old trampolines fit. I got a great deal on a 2016 demo that had not even been demo'ed.

I decided to car top this thing vs getting another trailer. I have Malone kayak cradles and a Rhino-Rack loader that attaches to my trailer hitch ball. It takes quite a while to load and unload, but I can park in any spot and don't have to buy or register or otherwise mess with a trailer.

Of course try your old drive and let us know if it fits. I suggested it might not fit because of Marty Cooperman's experience with his used 2015 AI 2. He bought it used but struggled to get the drive to fit during our 2016 week trip http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=7276&start=855 I don't know what year the drive was, but it did not fit. To the seller's credit, he sent a new drive to Marty.

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

I sold my old Mirage drive, but the 2016 Mirage drive and mounting sure looks the same as the 2012 to me. Looks can be deceiving, though, so I really cannot say.