THE HAKA BENCH SEAT - AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRAMPS

Louis, I wouldn't trade my wood hakas for any other material. The teak finish looks beautiful, and the wood is comfortable and easy to attach my gear to. Plus I can mount them to my AI in about a minute.

I can't help wondering what it would be like sitting on aluminum after the aluminum begins tarnishing (I'm not sure what the word is).

Oh yeah, the wood design also makes it convenient for me to attach my haka superchargers which are still top secret and in development so I can't say anything more

Jim,
I am jealous of your location; I used to live in Tarpon Springs and had my boat in the water every day (one of my best fish stories comes from Snook season in Hurricane pass).

One of the few advantages my current location has is that if the parts of the haka that I sit on were unfinished (the Alumilite is powder coated and very weather and salt resistant) it would not matter since it would take decades for oxidation to set in. I would trade worrying about; oxidation, electrolysis, hurricanes and even massive lightning storms, for a little salt spray on an endless broad reach just off shore.

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Louis
Marietta Ga.

Oxidation ! That's the word I was trying to think of. Thanks Louis.

It sounds like you need to make a road trip south with your AI and sail in the saltwater again Louis. If you do get down this way give me a holler. I'd like to hear that Snook story.

Yes, I'm not very handsome or muscly but...my new spine board bench runs fine and I can sail in good company!!

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/513/imag0305g.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/171/imag0302m.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/259/imag0298f.jpg/

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp0xoYJCpN4&feature=plcp[/youtube]

¡Qué suave! Gracias.

It looks as if the boards bend a bit with weight placed in the center. Is this right?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhXiT3ztXT4[/youtube]

Aloha NOHUHU!

Yes, the spineboards aren't completely rigids, there is a small central flexion when someone sits in the middle. Around 3-4cm... but no problem!

[img][http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/3851/imag0271od.jpg/img]

moved to the TI3 thread...i'm getting TI3 and Hakas mixed up!

Well, in all fairness, they only seem to be referring to the TI3 project - not Hakas in general. Hobie can hardly support people making major structural alterations to their boats, or they will end up sharing the blame when something goes wrong.

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Spineboards make a lot of sense! Strong, light, and inexpensive.

I've tried out my teak hakas and they work great. They are also very beautiful.

Capt Boozer: I'm confused. I read this post when it first appeared and now it's neither here or there. Was this some kind of a joke? ...
If it is, I don't think it's funny.

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Sun E Sailor
Ezra Appel
Palm City, Florida
2014 Tandem Island

Hi Nohuhu----Thank you. You have added a new level to our AI enjoyment. I have been happy with my new haka bench. I coppied your design with the 4 slats and the vertical board in the middle. It is 17 inches wide. It is made of cedar which is very light and abundant here in Maine. I like that it is extra floatation in an emergency. It simply lays flat on the akas. I installed 4 ss eye-bolts facing down and use 2, two foot black rubber straps to keep it in place. When loading the Thermarest air mattress to the boat my wife suggested I put it on the haka bench instead of stowing it to make her ride more comfortable. Now she's hooked. She wants to go all the time!!! So I just added a hinged, fold down seat-back out of half inch plywood. There's another hinged, triangular piece of ply on the back of the seat-back that swings out, ( like on a desk picture) to keep it upright. This way we will be able to sit side by side while enjoying the scenery. I recommend that other haka aficionados look into these self inflating Therma-rest air mattress. Anyhow, thanks again for the great design.

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DougDNer

Doug, it's great to hear from you. A downeast Haka user? That's amazing.

You are way the hell up there on the Maine coast. It's probably the richest collection of coastline, islands, bays, lakes and rivers in the US. Wildlife preserves and parks everywhere. Are you sailing the salt water there, as well?

Mahalo for adding to the success of the Haka movement. Please post shots of your personalized Haka design here, in our hall of fame.

"Hakas",.. Improving sailing (and relationships) around the planet!