2015 Island upgrades -At what cost to their versatility?

I guess you have a simple decision, Chris, don't buy a 2015 AI 2.

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 of the 2015 A.I. as "T.I./2" rather than an "A.I. 2" It's pretty much a T.I. with the extra seat hacked-out...

Mike.

I was never going to, Keith. I'm just mourning the end of an era. It's actually got me thinking maybe it is time to pony up for a 2+ seater.

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Good points, Chris. I'm thinking I am still able to lug an AI 2 up the beach above hi tide--I know I can't do that with a Tandem. I have several strategies. I did feel second rate (a little) when the TIs demonstrated that they were faster than my AI. So, except for the extra weight (which is part of the equation) I'm going to like the AI 2--but I have yet to take it on a solo camping trip. Fortunately, for my upcoming camping trips, I will have friends who are usually quick to help haul boats around. My only worry now is the cradles--we (AI 2 owners) need the new cradles ASAP. See my comment about using the AI cradles for the AI 2 here, http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=7276&p=251077#p251077

Cheers,

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

Well here you really nailed the elephant in the room!
Where I sail there are not lots of beaches. I have to lug up my AI on cliffs & through acres of stones. The tide is not significant but there are some traffic with big ships so I need to get the hull well above water line. I can manage that with some tricks but the extra weight in an AI2 will certainly not help. The TI is out of the question. I travel mostly alone.

That a side, I really want to have all the extra goodies in the AI2. This must be an awesome vehicle!
When will I have to bite the bullet?

br thomas

Sounds like you are ready to pull the trigger!

I think at some point the AI 2 owners who camp will have to discuss strategies for getting their new, heavier AI 2 up above the high tide/water line. I have bought a plastic runner, the type people put in hallways with lots of foot traffic. I split it in half (18" wide) and usually lay one 10-footer down as I drag my AI 2 around on the driveway. I plan to use the 2 of them (2 halves, end to end, 20') on the beaches. Of course, you can remove the aka/amas to cut weight on the beaches. Inconvenient, but you have to do what is necessary, if you are solo. I always try to arrive at a campsite near high tide. That helps, but you still have to get your boat above high tide.

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 have to smile, because all of you are going to come to decision time also. When the kids are gone, and your wife no longer goes out with you, you are going to reach the point where the question becomes:

Do I quit or do I downsize to something I can handle solo? It will be your choice. Think about it.

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

Where there's a will there's way.

This may not work for everyone and no doubt it's a bit more trouble, but the amas are removable so it is possible to detach them upon beaching and lessen the overall single load by some amount. You'll have to make 2 or even 3 trips to haul everything but it's one possible solution.

I too am mourning the end of an era.

I had hoped that the AIv2 might just be versatile enough for me to upgrade (which is why I began this post) but I've decided that an AI is no longer suitable for my usage.
When I upgrade (actually downgrade to a Revo16) I will be AI-less for the first time in 7 years. Before the TI came along I even had 2 AI's so that friends could join me. I've had some wonderful experiences with this most versatile of craft.

I can honestly say that it has changed my life!

So thank you Hobie for making such a wonderful craft.

I fully understand the design direction Hobie have taken with this boat. Sailing is the obvious emphasis and to make a far more capable sailing craft is commendable. I know the majority will enjoy the upgrades and that is great.

I will continue sailing the incredible TI and upgrade it in due course. I have come to really enjoy sailing this solo.
Being honest, even if the AI remained unchanged I probably would still have downgraded to a Revo16 for my commute.
The 2015 AI upgrade has made my choice a no brainer.
As I approach the end of my working life (about two and a half years away) I am wanting lighter. When I first began commuting it was in an Oasis. That lasted a bit over a year, until I got the AI. In Adventure mode I would take the mast, small sail, DB, mast adaptor with me on every trip, just in the hope of getting a sail in. The last few years I've been much more selective and only take the sailing gear if I know I can sail. I have two very steep hills I have to wheel up ...and they are not getting any easier, so I have become very weight conscious. I know the new AI hull will just be too heavy for me and will not paddle as well either.

So even though I'm tinged with sadness that the AI will have to go, I'm very happy that the end result of a TI/Revo16 combination to replace it should make for an even better sailing/commuting experience!

The A.I. is like all things 'middle-aged' - it's getting fatter and more 'comfy'

As Hobie owner demographic progresses in age, so the flagship boats have to cater for them (with the weight being the only contradiction).

The same thing happens with cars...

With regards to your next purchase, it's also worth considering the Revo 13, plus sail-kit and sidekicks. I had a similar boat before I bought
my A.I. and I'm also considering going back to that setup. It was just as much fun as the A.I., plus far more manageable off the water.
Not as capable as the A.I. by a long shot, but for 90% of the time it was great.

Cheers,

Mike.

Good points Mike.
The only negative I see with the Revo13 is that from what I understand it is not as good a paddler as the Revo16. Paddling is important to me and the longer waterline of the Revo16 means better tracking and gliding.

I really hope that is not the case Keith. The TI is pretty much just right as is.
I'd love it if Hobie had your Einstein quote tagline in mind in any upgrade. I reckon they've pretty much nailed the "simplicity" re the sailing. I doubt that there is a less complex successful sailing craft out there.
I'd like to see a redesign of the bow hatch area that made it stronger and better sealed and make the whole front x-bar/v-brace assembly a bit more bullet proof. That has been a problem area right from the start, due to the much larger sail. Hobie have responded well to the problems and they may already have been addressed with the '15 model.
A jib option would have been good to improve upwind sailing but it does add complexity.
More speed would be always be nice. Maybe a design that made more use of hiking out, on factory haka, though that wouldn't suit all I know.
A hull that was capable of planing would only require smaller/lighter ama if better weight distribution from hiking out was catered for in the design.

you are the proud owner of one of the most awesome kayaks on the planet...Why would you car top it. Its big, its heavy, its expensive. Just buy a trailer.

You have had a long day at work, your tired but an evening cruise on the lake sounds awesome.

option 1, you go home, hitch your boat up, go the the lake, have it set up and in the water in 10-15 minutes. relaxing, watching the sunset as the world melts away. Life is good.

option 2; you go home, wrestle your island onto the roof of your car, strap it down, go to the lake wrestle it off the roof, ding your car, swear alot, then go sailing. you watch the sun go down, its beautiful, now wrestle the island onto your roof in the dark...
CHOOSE OPTION 1...

And dont use the excuse "my car cant tow it." I tow a Tandem Island on an aluminum trailer with a 900 cc british motorcycle. If I can tow it, you can too...

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Crazy Joe
Captain of the LIC. Landlocked Island Club, Omaha Ne.

2016 Tandem Island on a Trailex Aluminum trailer being towed by a
Triumph Scrambler Motorcycle..

I agree with you for the most part, I can trailer all my kayaks but still car-top on occasion. There are a number of situations where it's a lot easier to get around without the trailer behind me. One nearby parking area is too small, a trailer would simply be in the way. Another lake I visited once has a single launch ramp - up a steep, narrow road to a tiny patch of flat ground by the dam. Or campgrounds that are congested or have very narrow roads with sharp bends. (I'll admit I'm not all that hot at maneuvering with a trailer!) I'm also prone to car-topping when I'm headed somewhere I've never been, just in case - once I know I can get the trailer in without difficulty I'll use it.

I'm planning to car-top my '15 TI this weekend, just to see how it goes. I have Yakima bed racks on my S10 and just picked up their side-loader extension bar so I don't have to slide the hull all the way on from the rear. That'll also be nice in the future when loading my Outback or other kayaks.

Obviously for local trips to frequently-used lakes I'm rolling out the trailer since it's so convenient. The one thing my TI trailer doesn't have is a storage bin. On the regular kayak trailer I have all the accessories stored in a bin so it literally is hitch-and-go, with the TI I have to transfer stuff to the truck and back. No room on the trailer for a bin, need to find a reasonably light bin/box I could slide in the truck that can hold (most) everything.

But wow, you must have Island launching down pat! I've only been out 3 times on my TI, the last two trips have been 20 minutes from the time I get out of the truck to the time I'm ready to back down the boat ramp. About 30 minutes at best to actually launch. I'd love to get that pared down to 10 minutes!

No question, people that live/sail on fresh water lakes have a totally different situation compared to others who live/sail on salt water. Salt water rusting takes time, you may not see the effects for 3, 4, 5 yrs, but it is like a cancer, but more inevitable. If you keep a car 8-10 yrs under those conditions, AND you car top any vessel which has come out of salt water, rust is just a matter of time.

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