TI AMAS ON AN AI

I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL MENTIONS OF ADAPTING THE LARGER TI AMAS TO THE AI, BUT NO PARTICULARS. HAS ANYONE HERE DONE THIS? I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHETHER THIS CAN BE DONE AND WHAT MODIFICATIONS, IF ANY, MUST BE MADE TO THE AI IN ORDER FOR THIS TO BE SUCCESSFULLY DONE?

NOHUHU in Hawaii is the one that came up or at least worked with others that came up with the conversion and then he posted it here.
I believe the position of the collar has to be re-riveted.
Hobie doesn't support such conversions or cross use of TI components on an AI.
Since we haven't heard of any failures... their ideas must work. Hawaii is very remote and the Pacific extremely unforgiving.

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They will not fold properly. I'd guess OK if fully out, but when folding in to the hull, the geometry is off a bit. The holes in the amas are slightly closer together.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Hi I am undertaking this very same mod to my 2011 Ai am just waiting for delivery of the Ti amas from Hobie then the fun will start. The only problem I can foresee with the Ti amas fitting to the Ai is that one locating hole is slightly deeper on each, which is a easy fix and a small difference in spacing of the fixings .
I Am also fitting a furling jib sail to give me that extra oomph.

Wally and Nerdy

You are correct, the AKA insertion points are recessed further on the TI AMAs, so the AKA plugs need to be extended to create a solid connection. One set needs to be extended more than the other, but I don't recall which set needs to be longer.

You can do this by building wooden dowels like these:


Or build them with aluminum as my friend Kahikolu did.


You can fab these collars for both the front and back sets but the shorter extensions can be created just by pulling the existing plug out and rivoting it in a new position.


As you can see, we do not see much of a problem with angle deflection with the TI AMA's in place. There is some toeing in, which helps with turning. The AMAs fold reasonably on this hull, but this is rarely done, due to outboard seating system that was added. Trailering/carting may be complicated by the new AMAs.


If you are going to sail your AI like a bat out of hell, then you should reinforce/stabilize the AKA bars, because they will be carrying more weight and absorbing much higher sailing forces. The mast cup is subject to these forces too.

If you do right, it will result in a fast/stable/dry ride, compared to a stock AI.

You can find lots more conceptual info and photos in the "Batboat" threads. This is all food for thought, and none of it is intended as a "cookbook" or encouragement to wildly modify your stock Hobie.

But if you already have those TI floats on order,...

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The Wind Is Your Friend...

thanks everyone for the input. nerdy, please keep me informed of your progress.
the AI is such a nice boat and seems to be in all respects up to hobie standards that one hates to modify it much. however it does dive through some waves and i do get a lap dosing every once in a while from the hull configuration at the side handle site. ( i will try some weight in the rear behind the seat to see if this helps but always hate to add weight.) these are not problems on our warm summer lakes but i am wondering about winter sailing on corpus cristi bay where the water is cooler. maybe a dry suit is a better answer.
any additional information or viewpoints will be appreciated.

Yes no problem I will keep you posted

The batboat mods are specific to the 2010 style AI hulls.

Hoping someone will update this info with a new 2011 "hybrid" thread.

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The Wind Is Your Friend...

Interesting thoughts...

The amas are only needed occationally for counterbalance on the AI in anything further than a stiff breeze (Hawaii residents excempted, hehehe).

Taking it to the TI level would seem a 'natural' to also increase the Mast and sail area to the larger more powerful boat's prime aspects.

(However, unless a better more robust system is employed for the AI's mast step, I can't really see a functional jib attached to the existing carbon fiber mast. (Hmm perhaps a dual vertical whisker pole system might work out better, [Supported by Harken blocks off the tip of the mast) That web loop up there has all sorts of possibilities (wascally wabbits)]

Looks like we need to get some engineering drawings on how to finally get the AI to plane. (Speaking of which, why not change the entry on the Bow. If we can use Tramp nets to spill spray, why not consider the Anti Pitch Pole hardware used on the Hobie 14/16. Yah I'm sure a grinder and some fiberglass and resin could retro the hardware to actually provide enough lift to the bow to prevent a nosedive...beyond 11 to 13 knots.
(seems like such a waste to have a 'dumbed down' AI, when a few hardware mods could finish the job once and for all (immho)

(My Most humble opinion is based on being a speed freak and that includes many hours on the end of a Trapeze on a Hobie Catwhen I was much younger). I'm also a firm believer, that the demographics for Hobie have changed. The Baby Boomers are now dealing with all sorts of issues like getting old...(I'll fight boating boredom until they finally figure out how to pry my dead fingers off a high speed Tri or Cat)

Most respectful Regards, Friends
Fred

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Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'