Campaign to keep the TI handles ...add your name here

Just so we all understand... The crossbars and seat bars have been designed to support the load of lifting the vessel? Are the seat bars accessible as a lifting point with the seats installed? Is there enough clearance underneath the crossbars to wrap your hand around it? Was the attachment hardware for the crossbars redesigned with lifting in mind? Sorry about all of the questions. I just want to feel comfortable with a very expensive purchase.

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

I always roll my TI around with tha AMA's detached simply because it's too blinking heavy for me, I then carry the AMA's separate and attach them at the water. To put the scupper cart in and out I always tip the boat on it's side by grabbing the handles. I challenge anyone to tip a TI on it's side without using any handles, I've tried it and I can't. I can't lift the boat by the AMA xbar because it's at an awkward angle for my wrists.
What would really be cool would be a plug in handle that snaps into the same opening that the aka knuckles snap into. Something you can pick the boat up with or flip it up on its side. Yes you can currently just stick a broom handle ( or maybe half your paddle) in the hole to tilt the boat up with but they slide out easily.
Just thinking out loud, if I can figure out how to lift the boat up easily, I might consider ordering a 2015 TI next summer. Apparently I'm the only one who tilts my TI on it's side to put my scupper cart in.
Bob

Maybe a sellable item there fusioneng. Sort of like the spray skirts that Hobie never designed and it had to come from someone in the forum. I can picture a D-handle with a perpendicular 90° that would plug into the ama crossbar and snap into place just like the amas do. It would allow you to carry with your hand at a natural angle next to your body. That is if the crossbars can handle the vertical load being placed on them.

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

Maybe something like a log roller (cant hook ) that hooks into the aka and allows you to roll the boat on it's side then holds it in that position while you leisurely insert the scupper cart.

"give me a lever and I'll roll the ......... " or " roll roll roll the boat "
anonymous

- C

For sure the crossbars are super strong. They take a lot more loading when sailing than you can place on them rolling or carrying the boat. You can grab an aka or the end of the crossbar if the aka is not in.

Seat bars could be used as a hand hold to roll the boat, but not carry it. The seat would have to be out.

But... by far the easiest way to roll an Island onto it's side for plugging in a cart is to fold the amas, step up to the mast, grab the mast up high and place a foot on the bow of the ama or the hull and pull. Less loads than sailing as the ama is folded in.

Easiest way to carry / drag a fully rigged island is by the akas.

Jim says the handles were also no longer functional as hand holds while sitting/sailing due to the new seat. Especially in the high and dry position.

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

I understand the concerns of others. I like the handles on my AI, and they have never been a problem funneling water up. Still, what Matt says seems reasonable to me. Thanks for your contribution Matt.

Keith

PS I did use the right handle to hold onto at times.

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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 have to agree I never noticed a funneling problem either, I'm not saying there wasn't one just If there was it was never an issue, now plugging in a scupper cart is going to be a real pain I used the handles to plug in every time. Oh well we shall see...

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Every day is an Adventure Island day

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

Thanks for the explanation Matt! Seeing as the boat isn't even in production yet I guess it would be premature for me to gripe about something that hasn't even been proven to be an issue.

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

Matt:
I'm satisfied now that I will continue to be able to tilt my TI up on its side without handles by either putting the mast in and grabbing that or slipping one of the aka bars in to flip the boat up. I went out and tried it and it is actually easier than grabbing the handles (the way I do it currently).
Bob

I am very surprised to hear people say they never had water funnel up through the handle. It makes me wonder what sort of sailing some of you chaps are doing. It only takes a bit of chop and moderate wind coming from the side to make this happen. The more the boat heels and the faster you go, the more water will funnel right into the seat well, and if your hand is on the steering handle and its heeling on that side, it will shoot straight up your sleeves.

I, for one, am glad our Island handle overlords are gone. No problem to attach them wherever they are going to work best.

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Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au

I sail my AI, usually loaded for camping, in 1-2' chop and NEVER notice any water funneling up off the handle into the seat area during the past 6.5 yrs. Just not a problem for me, but I know we all sail differently in different waters.

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 suspect the water funneling problem was mostly on the AI which sat much lower in the water compared to the TI. I honestly never experienced any water funneling. But my situation is a little different. Most TI people sail from the back seat solo, and the stern is lower in the water. I've never sailed from the back seat, and I have never taken my TI out without the tramps installed. Whenever I install my tramps I always have them mounted way inward so the 3/8 fiberglass rod is sitting on top of the gunwale of the boat (to help support my weight better). This leaves the tramp material bunched up against the side of the hull so water would have a hard time entering the cockpit in the area of the handle. So I don't experience the water funneling problem. Also keep in mind my hull has been converted to a planing hull, and my TI is traveling 2-3x normal TI speeds and because it's planing I would guess the handles are maybe 5 inches higher above the waterline over a standard TI with the front of my bow 3-6 inches completely out of the water. Kind of a mute point now since the handles will be gone forever now moving forward.
Bob

Hi Josh speaking for myself, I said I never noticed water funnelling, I didn't say I never had it. Most of my sailing was in the cold, rough and choppy North Sea often in the depths of a northern European winter, windchill, rain, sleet, snow and being clad from head to toe in a drysuit might be the reason I never noticed. Had I of sailed and been dressed for the clement Hervey Bay conditions I might have argument against the handles

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Every day is an Adventure Island day

A few days ago, I was sailing upwind in 20+ knots true wind speed. My skipper seat (front) sits on top of a ply platform which runs across the rails of my 2012 TI. I paid particular attention to what was happening with the handles, and watched as water got sent vertically from the rear of the handle indent, and my shorts got drenched on both sides (I should add that my mini skirts kept most of the water away from me (only about an 18" triangle of the sail got wet, but water hitting the bow handle was sent straight at my face).

So I can see why the indents are going, and I also see the compelling logic that the easiest way to tip an Island on its side is to used mechanical leversge, either using an aka, or the mast. I have not heard these suggestions before, and they make sense.

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker