2015 AI

I picked up my new boat. I have a photo of the new ama next to an old one if I could figure out how to display it here. The boat looks like a sailing machine - AI on steriods - very purposeful - a lot more volume/displacement - no longer "graceful" lines in the hull. Interesting thing about the amas - on the old boats, the amas were symmetrical relative to the akas - i.e. equal length for and aft of the akas. Now it is 2/3s fore and 1/3 aft, so a lot more buoyancy forward. The akas are actually ~2" closer together on the new boat - hope the old tramps will fit. The amas are "needle" shaped - wave piercing looking.

Now a couple of petty complaints . The is no eye on the forward bulkhead were I used to clip off the drive leash. Cup holders - what the heck? They did away with the size that fit a beverage in a foam insulator - I'd use the American word for this, but I understand it means diaper to the Aussies. What remains is on the port side, the huge holder only good for the old Hobie jar with the screw on lid which didn't come with this boat. On the starboard side is the small one - too small for anything I own (i.e bicycle water bottle). What the heck is supposed to go in there??

Can't wait to sail her - good job Hobie!

Now I need some cradles

I have described in some detail how to post pictures on this site. http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=7276&p=237495#p237495

If you have any questions, you can email me at kwellma at gmail dot com

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

Old AI tramps will be too long. 2015 AI uses the TI trampoline. Now named TI / 2015 AI Trampoline.

Cup holders changed due a variety of issues. The seat area expansion, centerboard well location and feedback about loose / shallow holders and one needing to be big enough for a Nalgene or Gatorade sized bottle.



I would think a "donut" of foam could be made to fit your specific needs in the larger one.

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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 your report. I am compelled by the changes but I am also bummed the hull weighs over 100lb. I think it will be past the threshold of what I can top on my small Tacoma. I have small trailer I can haul both my current AIs on but I'm not into using it, like 'em up top. Anyway, happy sailing your new rig and I hope your sail and your ill-fitted cups are full.

Aloha -

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ShakaGeoff
Maui, Hawaii
AI x2 • TI • Revo13 • Pursuit

Geoff, I helped unload Chris's demo from his truck. It was larger around and had no side handles, but I didn't notice the extra weight at all.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

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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 rated to hold a greater load in terms of Kilograms?

Matt, I have not seen any figures regarding AI weight capacity, but I suspect it will be unchanged. Bear in mind that the AI had the same capacity as the Adventure, so the additional capacity provided by the amas is ignored (obviously because Hobie cannot be assured that a user has them connected).

My own tests revealed that each "old" AI ama could support around 100kg (stable, but just beneath the surface), so with the new amas, I would suspect additional support of around 20kg each ama with the new model. the forward extension of each ama should provide more resistance to nose-diving for those who like AI surfing, which is of course no doubt the reason for your question in the first place!

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

The capacity according to Hobie's specs remains unchanged at 159kg.

Keith,
Thanks for that little teaser.
I'm really looking forward to a review of the new AI from someone with experience in the original AI.
Can't wait to see what differences you note and positives/ negatives between the two.

Irresponsible of me but i wouldn't mind slotting one over the falls.

It is interesting that a couple months ago, Hobie's own site indicated the capacity of the new AI was 400# vs 350#, 159 kg, for earlier versions. Stringy's right, the Hobie site now specifies capacity of the 2015 AI to be 350#, 159 kg. The amas are larger, and, from personal observation, the volume of the 2015 vaka is significantly larger than the earlier versions. I'm not sure of Hobie's motive for specifying the same capacity, but the 2015 AI clearly is capable of handling a larger capacity than previous versions. Maybe Hobie has found a weak link (akas or mast base? Or insufficient speed if boat is loaded to 400#? ) in the 2015 AI which requires them to scale back their capacity spec. Personally, I plan to use that extra volume, but I'll keep in mind the 350# limit.

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

Wow, it does look like a giant Revo...

When I said I hoped Hobie would bring out a Revo-Island I didn't mean them to make a
giant revolution hull, but rather an A.I. the same size as a Revo 13!

D'oh!

It looks like Hobie hasn't updated their site with the new 2015 AI specs yet. Following is what I believe the basic specs are for the new AI:

Length:16' 7"
Width (Amas Extended):9' 6"
Width (Amas Retracted):44"
Weight:104.6 lbs. (142 lbs. when fully rigged)
Capacity:400 lbs.
Sail Area:65 sq. ft.
Mast Height:16' 6"

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A couple months ago, they had those specs on their site. On my new AI 2, there is a card with those exact specs. Maybe there was a screw-up which caused the older specs (pre-AI 2) to show up on their site.

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

Yes, it seems that there may be typo's in the new specs?
The length and capacity haven't changed but the weights have.

Keith,
Does your new AI have the CE decal molded into the bulkhead?
Looks like this on the TI. The original AI's are listed as 159kg.