Adventure kayak using only 1 ama for stability question.

Surprised I have not seen this discussed. Has anyone used the Island with only 1 ama and no sail as a pedal/paddle craft?

I realize you would never use the big sail with only 1 ama, but if you were kayaking and needed the extra stability a port ama would give the port side flotation and the ama's counterbalance weight would keep you from tipping in the starboard direction. Like a Polynesian canoe/kayak.

Plus if you added a single tramp your adventure kayak could carry much more gear. Sure you would have more drag but you would have more stability and expedition ability with the configuration.

In light wind I suspect you could use the small 10' Hobie sail and the mast cup adapter several here have posted about.

Anybody try this, any reason not to

Yakaholic

Yep, works well especially in rougher water, but no wind. More drag than just the Adventure mode, but pretty much as stable as the full AI mode.

Hawaiian style!

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

I do this all the time (when not sailing) and love it!
I use one tramp for my dog to ride on (I think it is even more comfortable than his own bed at home!).
Makes for a much more relaxing peddle because I don't have to worry about tipping over. Before the tramps my dog rode right behind me in the rear cargo area and whenever I went out without the amas I could feel every time he would shift his weight, constantly feeling like he would dump us (he is 75 lbs.)

Obviously there is more drag with an ama deployed but I sure don't notice it much. I don't think it affects my overall speed, if so, only slightly.

I would consider using one with a sail as long as you have a tramp so you can sit out on it.

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I do it all the time on longer trips and it works great. On this trip we were loaded down with 5 days worth of gear and supplies. I rigged the kayak for the river leg with 1 Ama to add stability. I bungee'd the other Ama and sail on top of the Aka so it would be available when I needed it on the sailing leg.

We ended up spending 3 days going down river until we entered Blackwater Bay in Florida. Then I put my other Ama up and sailed through the bay to Navarre. (The sailing leg ended up being right in the middle of Tropical Storm Ida. It was hairy and my buddy in his Outback w/sail almost sank his kayak.) We made it though...........a testament to the quality of product Hobie puts out.

Here's the yak in 1 ama mode rigged for kayaking.






This is just prior to entering Blackwater Bay and the sailing leg. We sailed down to a remote beach near the center of the bay and set up camp. About 12 hours later we were in the middle of Ida and sweating bullets............




Yes, you can sail it with 1 Ama too. Even with winds from the other direction it stayed pretty stable. I think the weight of the opposite Ama helped counter balance. It's a blast!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aujULLri6j0[/youtube]

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Mike K

One ama proved beneficial in keeping a great white from knocking yakass out of his AI. You gotta see this video!

http://www.yakass.net/videos/37-josh-ya ... -encounter

That's why I have the Shark Shield
If I had been in Josh's situation & not had it I would have thought my number was up

I also use the outrigger canoe configuration at times.

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

cool vid, only a baby white, maybe 2.5m. One thing i would recommend would be to not pedal if a shark is taking interest in your boat. Their natural prey are seals and penguins so having finns flipping about is probably a bad idea.

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Due to mid week parking issues I ended up on Lake Parramatta yesterday and used only 1 ama. Very stable and fast on the flat waters of the lake. The ducks didn't stand a chance!

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Screen grab from video showing the ducks not standing a chance from the super stealthy AI-



Actually they did get away by swimming into the weeds....

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Gonna have to try this now that I have the trimaran.

In case people were wondering, the Hawaiian AMA is traditionally attached to the port side (for paddled outriggers):


Most folks assume that's because of the issues right-handers have (rolling their boats) when the AKA is lashed to starboard. Today, as a racing class, it's rare to find AMAs on the right.

Has anyone set their AI up in "southpaw" mode? Did it feel dyslexic?

When it comes to single hull Hawaiian sailing canoes, these use an offset trimaran approach. This time, the long AKA ('iako in Hawaiian) is on the right side and a stubbier one on the left. Two crew members can hike out, controlling the sail and it can take 2 or more to control the rudder!

Here's what a six man racing canoe looks like with the sail rigged:


And the two man:


Amazing boats. Beautiful to watch and very sea worthy. Upwards of 20 Knot speeds. No furling. I sailed near a two man last week during high winds. It was absolutely tearing it up, blasting through surf and heading to the outer reef where I could not hope to go in those conditions.

If you like, you can see more of them in action here:
http://www.hsca.biz/zenphoto/

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The Wind Is Your Friend...

With their long waterline, and 'ballast' well outboard, they sure do fly. But I'm looking forward to seeing the TI really pushed, with two people working it hard. Might have to investigate a 'rear tramp'... kinda like the spray skirts reversed, so the rear crew can hike out as well.

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Cheers, Max ● TI: the "Yella Terra" ● Website: www.MadYakker.com ● YouTube: madyakkermax