2015 Island upgrades -At what cost to their versatility?

I haven't used my boat in kayak mode yet, but then again I never used my 12 in kayak mode either. I use the AI a lot in single ama mode, probably more than fully kitted. I have now twice used it with a single ama ( i fish the bay striped bass here almost always single ama as its close from launch to grounds)

It is better, faster, more comfortable, than the old boat with a couple of total nits:

It was too much of a pain in the ass to flip over without the side handles when car toping, so I am mostly using the trailer.
Our nasty ass bay mud plugs the dagger board slot when I inevitably drag it out thru the stuff, making it more time consuming to clean than the old boat.
I can't reach the water from the seat without leaning over a bit...

On the unwarranted fears side:
The bow doesn't get seaweed and grass stuck to it like I thought.
The seat is actually much simpler than I thought.
The extra hull weight doesn't really seem that bad, noticeable but not that bad

My last AI was bought in 2008, has the poor mesh side pocket been resolved? Do they now last longer than a couple of outings? Does the new 2015 even have them?

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Every day is an Adventure Island day

I think Stringy and Mingle well pointed out things I questioned myself.

Will the extra weigth be contra productive for the way I use my AI?
Will the new technologi (seat, Mirage-Drive, centerboard) be too complex?
Will the new hull be working god in kayak-mode?
Will all changes of different details be an advantage for ME?
Will it be worth the more than 20% higher price? (in Sweden)

At the same time I realize that the AI2 will be a better sailboat, will give me a better ride (when sailing), will be the only option when time comes to buy a new AI.

So at the end it is a question of timing. When to buy the AI2.
I think I will use my old AI at least 2015 and wait for more reviews from you others that will get your AI2:s now.
I will certainly look at the AI2 IRL when it comes to Sweden and hopefully I will get a chance to try it.

Please let everyone point out their questions and doubts.
Hobie products does not need to be defended, they are too god.
I like this forum where it normally is god headroom.

best regards
thomas

LOL, you guys sound like a bunch of old hens pecking away.
It's obvious to me that the new 2015 AI and TI are now being made to favor the use of akas/amas/sail/trailer and not without. Which is fine for most users, that's it's big advantage. I never use the AI or TI in single hull kayak mode.
But, I do have other kayaks set up for those situations that involve a single hull only. I think most of us even before 2015 models, already have multiple kayaks for different situations. Thus the versatility of the Islands is really a non issue and I'm glad Hobie recognizes this to make the Island better to function for the majority of users who are not in need of a multi purpose kayak.
In fact, if you can afford an Island, then I'm sure you have other kayaks, and that Hobie recognizes this. Remember there is a new Revolution 16 for single hull mode, again multiple kayaks for these clients.

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Mark
Tandem Island- 2013
2 - Sports - 2014

Yes thats the reason for the questions and doubts. Is the AI2 still a relevant boat for ways I use the AI.
The AI2 is different, thats obvious. For better, probably. For me? Not sure yet.

No I don't have other kayaks. Today.

BR
thomas

Thank goodness, Hobie left some value to the older Islands. I'm sure you can buy these older Islands for a fraction of the cost of a post 2015 model for many years to come, you should thank Hobie for this, if these models are your craft of choice.

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Mark
Tandem Island- 2013
2 - Sports - 2014

Thank You Cr Yaker!
Your last two post made me realize that the AI2 is not a subject for questions and doubts.
I stand corrected.

The headroom shrinked...

br thomas

I haven't had the chance to get out in the new TI either, however I do really like the new seats for the way they remove easier and faster then the old ones. To address concerns with the seats falling out in a capsize, adding some webbing and snap buckles from seat to deck like what's on the tramps will ensure them. I may utilize the threaded brass inserts that are found in the back of the seat pan to secure webbing if it doesn't interfere with the seat base. If so, then I'll just mount webbing in some other spot.

The seats are supplied with a red clip that snaps securely to a post at the back of the seat. As long as you remember to clip that down, the seat isn't coming out. It'll lift up some at the rear, but nowhere near far enough to unclip from the front bar.

Now, that lifting at the rear has been annoying to me on a few occasions - when standing to move around on my TI the seat is the most convenient thing to grab for support but it moves, and I don't like that it lifts when I lean far forward (say, adjusting the pedals or punching buttons on my FF/GPS). Strapping it down more securely for those reasons might be desirable. So far I haven't wanted to set the rear of the seat in the high position.

I'm with kal-p-dal can the AI 2 still be used in kayak or single outrigger mode? I have used the A1 in single outrigger mode often ,in the Australia like anywhere else I guess you can have days with little or no wind. Its pointless being rigged in full trimaran mode on days like this. The ability to choose your mode was the great thing about the AI 1

Yes or no can we use the the AI in various modes comfortably?

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Every day is an Adventure Island day

Hi mate, I haven't had various kayaks ever, the AI1 was a various kayak when in its different modes. The AI was all I needed. Like others I don't have the space for a multitude of kayaks or want them.

Many of us are going to be very disappointed if we cant use the 2015 in single outrigger mode.

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Every day is an Adventure Island day

Honestly Stringy, I'm not sure why you're so bothered when Hobie have already made what appears to be your ideal boat. It is still available in most dealerships and will be available on the 2nd hand market for years. Either way, rest assured that the new Island design incorporates a bunch of changes that have been requested of Hobie for years. Take it from someone who talks to customers about these boats daily.

There is no single boat design on the planet that ticks every box. While design changes may create limitations in one area, they overcome them in others. So the new AI is going to be a bit more of a challenge to handle off the water, but it is also going to be a lot less of a challenge (in situations that really count) on the water. Like many, I'll accept the extra size and weight happily (and yes, I'll be car-topping it... if I can car-top a TI, I can car-top this) to afford the improved sailing performance, and specifically, the enhanced suitability of the craft for fishing and expeditions. I've been in numerous situations where I would have been far safer in the new design Island than the old one. In fact, I'm planning on taking the new Island on some expeditions that I failed to complete in the past, simply because I know the new version will handle it so much better

It is impossible to keep 100% of people happy 100% of the time - all one can do is try ones best based upon feedback and in cases like these, market trends. It may surprise you to know that the vast majority of Island customers are not using their AI's in kayak mode. More and more we (dealerships) are finding that customers are focused on the boat as a sailing platform, not a kayaking platform (and unlike yourself, I'm confident this thing will be great as a kayak). And I can assure you that the majority of our customers are observing the design changes with favour, not cynicism. Higher, drier, faster, more stable, buoyant and above all, more comfortable. Whats not to like? Size and weight? Ok, buy an old one then. Easy peezy lemon squeezy!



Why on earth would you suspect you couldn't use the new Island in kayak or Outrigger mode?

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

It was brought up in a few posts Josh obviously you can use it however you like, but will it be as comfortable and preform as well in single outrigger mode as the old model. I guess a lot of people have concerns about the new model due to the fact the previous model was such a great and versatile vessel. We've all witnessed model changes in the past to cars etc, in some cases they haven't really been for the better. I'm not saying this is the case at all with Hobie and the AI. I'm sure the new AI will be fantastic.

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Every day is an Adventure Island day

My question is why did it come up? I cannot for the life of me figure out how anyone could surmise that you might not be able to use the boat in outrigger mode by photos alone. I can't even figure out how anyone would reach such a conclusion.

Will it be as comfortable? With a seat like that, how can it not be even more comfortable? At worst it might lose a little speed (or might not) but it will be a bit more stable. The only circumstance that might make it less suitable would be the height of the ama, and whether or not the boat sits relatively flat. If the amas sit higher, maybe the hull will rest on a bit of an angle perhaps.



No argument from me on how great and versatile the Islands are, but nor would I have ever tried to say that the boat couldn't be improved in some areas. To my way of thinking Hobie have improved it dramatically. Sure, its going to be a bit heavier but thats the only downside I can see, and I can live with that.

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

Thats a whole lot of kayak for such a little car. And if you're using soft racks instead of solid racks, you're asking for trouble loading a boat that big onto such a small roof.



Unavoidable in order to meet the redesign requirements, which can be summed up as 'more speed, more stability, more buoyancy'.



Can't imagine why you'd need to ditch the seat altogether. I think you're anticipating non-issues as issues.



Sorry, but this is just armchair theory. There won't be anything tricky about using it as a kayak. You can get the seat low enough in all of the models for stability to be a non-issue. EVen in the highest position a Revo 13 feels very stable. No reason to think the new AI would be any different.



I haven't heard of any TI owners having problems with theirs, and I sell these things for a living!



If it performs better, you'll quickly forget about how it looks, no?



I'd say that yes, your views are way off indeed. There's been a lot of misdirected speculation on these forums about the new design. As far as blowing gaskets goes, the only people who appear to be doing that are the ones getting caught up in their speculation. Really, wait to actually try the boat, then cast judgement.

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