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

I've gotta say... suggesting that they were "safety" handles?... and quoting "legal" outcome? There are a gazillion hand holds on an island that can be used to carry, flip... move the hull. We are talking about a product that in it's primary function, sailing ... they were a detriment to the experience.

I get it, everybody can have an opinion, but I don't at all buy a liability concern because they were not incorporated into the new designs. We are not talking about a seat belt here.

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

On an AI definitely, but on a TI hardly at all ...and not enough of a problem to justify their removal.
IMHO of course!

Does this mean Matt's NOT going to sign the petition?

Keith, it appears there is not enough room to mount the AI handles properly, so you are going with the inverted strap method. Let us know if this stresses the materials or plastic too much. Also if that location is complicated by the existing daggerboard and steering mechanisms.

As usual, thanks.

_________________
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:
That seems like a reasonable plan, when I get my new TI I will likely do the same (yes i will likely buy one). Perhaps a small rectangular piece of aluminum under the screws will even the load enough on the straps. You could probably reach in thru the hatch hole and place a small plate in the inside as well.
Actually you can always add support plates inside for any attachment by using a fish wire ( they use fish wires to put the re-enforcing threaded plates inside the box frame on cars and trucks when installing aftermarket hitches) any distance you desire from an opening. (Might be able to google it)
Hope this helps
Bob

Good points, Bob. It will be an easy matter to put a 1/8"x3/4" aluminum plate on the hull inside. Will do.

Keith

_________________
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

Thanks Chekika. I should really let Bob explain this one, with charts, but essentially, in that config it will apply prying forces to the hardware and more stress to the webbing than usual. That's only an issue if the heavy beast is getting carried that way, or if the webbing tears prematurely.

Anyway, my point is that it doesn't look like there's enuff room to mount them normally. If you want them to line up with each other, anyway.

For NOHUHU, the stainless washers on both sides of the hull and some goop on the strap would do the trick. (Batman would add the backing plate. With G-flex, no less).

What a Team!

_________________

Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

I would probably use a piece of 3/16" x 1" aluminum flat bar and drill two holes in it for the bolts. De-burr and put a radius on the ends so there are no sharp edges.
Then you could put it out of the way and anywhere you want. That gives you a lot of surface area against the plastic and an easy way to apply some sealant if you feel that is necessary. I'm sure you experienced guys know this but for smaller things like pad eyes, stainless steel fender washers work great. It's just an oversize flat washer for a given screw size. I was surprised that my used Revo13 didn't have a proper padeye to secure the $500 Mirage Drive and did just that.
Thanks for posting on this topic.

- Chris

I don't want to start redesigning my hull layout and having to figure out handle positions. Why can't Hobie advise on this and come up with a solution for those that need handles ? Thats what we're paying for surely? I'll say this again I used my handles a lot and I'm disappointed they will be gone from the AI sorry to hijack a TI thread!

_________________
Every day is an Adventure Island day

I'll take back the above, handles or not, arse wet or dry just get me my damn kayak please...

_________________
Every day is an Adventure Island day

That doesn't sound like a hijack to me but a great idea. It seems perfectly reasonable to provide a reinforced location for optional handles or a handle accessory kit when many of the most passionate users of the product think it's a useful feature.
- Chris

Hey.. I want in on this..

I wanted point out some other legal issues that Hobie may have. By removing the handles, it is the poor that will suffer the most as they may not have the resources to add the handles back in and therefore are being discriminated against.. Also if the new boat doesn’t allow the handles to be added to both the front and back seats equally, that could be gender, sexual or ethnic discrimination as we are likely to see preferences to seat position.

If there is a class action lawsuit over the handles, I want in.. need some cash to maybe buy a new AI to replace my old AI (and still keep my new TI).. At the minimum, there needs to be a non biased study. There may even be liberal/conservative lines drawn over the handles (likely) so this must also be considered.


(I like that they are gone.. reduces weight.. lighter sail boats are faster)

I was on a boatshow today (saw for the first time AI2 2015, will come back on that) and there was an catamaran, nearly 10 meters long, mast about 16 meters high and, hold on now!, weight under 600 kilograms!!!!!!

Lots of carbon fibre! Will take a photo on sign with specs on friday!

best regards
thomas

Sounds like just the thing for your extended camping trips eh Thomas?

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