Will these upgrades be found on 2015 TI & AI?

I don't know where Biagio got his pictures, but, since none of us have seen the real thing yet, and the 2015 AIs are probably not shipping yet, there is plenty of time to correct the wedge-shape of the amas in the images. It is simply caused by the front akas being "too short." Easily corrected before any 2015s are shipped, if that is what Hobie wants to do. If the wedge-shape amas are a positive design feature, hopefully some knowledgeable members of this forum will weigh-in. Maybe even Matt or Jacques will comment.

It looks to me that the 2015 AI will be a "much" drier ride than its predecessors, maybe like being in the rear seat of the TI, but I don't think it will be significantly faster, maybe even slower--that will be a bit of disappointment.

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

The akas will all be the same length, just as before. The entry points into the ama itself is what has been changed.

It doesn't matter whether you think of the akas as being "too short," or the entry point change causing the wedged amas, the result is the same. The easy fix, if desirable, would be to lengthen the akas.

The questions remain, is the wedge-shaped amas a positive design feature and will it be in the 2015 AI when shipped?

I for one, am a bit disappointed that an informed Hobie rep has not weighed in on these issues. Are they just being coy? Do they not know the performance effects of these changes to the 2015 AI?

As this discussion about the new 2015 AI has progressed, my enthusiasm has waned greatly. The 2015 AI has taken a significant weight-increase hit--approximately 26# (23% weight increase.) Are we only getting a drier ride for this larger, heavier boat? Has performance diminished? Will the "classic" AI become a coveted boat among AI enthusiasts?

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

Is it a true "wedge" or is it an optical illusion caused by the curve of the main hull and the opposite curve of the ama?

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

From the pictures, it is a definite wedge, not an illusion. As I've stated above, it is easily fixed, assuming a fix is desirable.

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

Keith:
I saw that too, and think it's brilliant. Think about it, you only ever have one AMA in the water, when that AMA is in the water it has a little drag, which needs to be corrected with rudder (more drag). Also the side with the AMA in the water always has some side slip from the wind, requiring the centerboard to be down and rudder correction. By ever so slightly tilting the AMA inward it helps steer the boat on a straighter course requiring less rudder, and less centerboard (less drag). I think it's a good idea. When pedaling level, at least on my boat, both my AMA's are pretty much out of the water (especially the fronts of them), so even though the AMA's toe in, I doubt very much it creates any additional drag. I think you would gain more benefit than you lose.
Just my opinion of course, then again it's probably just photo distortion, and I just gave out another trade secret ( LOL).
Bob

All the pictures come from the official Hobie AI and TI pages.
I did my best to resize all of them according to the new specifications.
But of course I I have no idea if those official pictures contain or not distortions.
Every comment at this stage can be just pure mental lucubration

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Biagio

Bob, I'm not arguing for or against the wedging of the amas. If Hobie thinks it is a good idea, fine with me. Unfortunately, we just don't have any idea what Hobie thinks. It seems we are just spinning our wheels, so I'm done with this issue until we get some reliable information. There are some boat shows coming up.

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

So many people clamored for changes in the AI, such as a drier seat (aka the vantage type seat), more sail area, longer amas, etc., and there is simply no way for Hobie to offer those things without increasing the weight of the boat. To get one thing you have to give up another thing. I'm sure Hobie didn't increase the weight by any more than was absolutely necessary to deliver the changes that the market is demanding.

The "wedge" is only half of what it appears as only one ama at a time is going to be in the water. A slight "toe-in" of the two hulls that are in the water at the same time should not be detrimental to performance, if anything, it should improve tracking.

Frankly, I've never had a problem with tracking since the new rudder came out. I think the drier ride is fine, but I may not be willing to pay the weight-hit cost. Just my thoughts.

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 think Hobie has got it just right.

Complaints - Resolutions
We want bigger Amas - Hobie gives us bigger amas.
We want a better non diving bow - Hobie gives us more volume in the bow.
We want a bigger sail - Hobie gives us a bigger sail.
We don't want to sit in a puddle - Hobie gives us a bigger (taller)hull a fancy seat, and draining scuppers.
We want non water funnelling handles - Hobie gets rid of the handles.
We want more head room - Hobie gives us more room under the sail.
We want a drop down skeg instead of a dagger board - Hobie gives us a drop down skeg.
We want a more efficient mirage drive - Hobie gives us Glide tech.
Have I forgotten anything.
You can't please all of the people all of the time. Some people will love the changes, and no doubt some will have negative things to say.
Personally I love all the changes and I'm looking forward to the delivery of my new Improved Adventure Island, and can't wait to get it out on the water.

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2021 Dune Hobie Lynx

Man...luckily the new TI specs are not a dramatic change to the older TI's....saved me a major major argument with the wife who would have freaked out if I had told her "Listen Baby - forget the idea of buying these three pairs of shoes and new handbag...we gonna spend the money on the new Hobie TI"

As it looks, gonna surely keep my old TI until it falls apart (...and this may take a few years).

Thank you Hobie for sparing me getting into this argument and saving my marriage !

Peace
Serbi

Where's my damn jib?

Now if they could just give us one more seat........

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I'm surprised that no one has moaned and groaned about having the choice of more and different hull colors .

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