2015 AI

Took out the AI for second time today. Very breezy probably 15 to 20 but I was in bay and stayed close to land. Still got a lot of spray and nose wanted to bury sometimes covered 15 miles in 3 hours. Top speed was 10.8 mph can't wait till I can get it out in open ocean seems like the wind dies down when I'm working but every weekend it makes the ocean to much to try out new boat. Took the amas and akas off and tried in normal kayak mode and its a lot faster than my outback and with the seat AI the way down it was quite stable. Rocked it back and forth and it was not tippy at all. Dropped the centerboard and it was even less tippy. Paddling wasn't that bad either. Wish I would have started out with an AI first but now I have one and am very pleased with wat it can do. I see my fishing options opening up a lot. Now if one or two others will get one I will feel a lot more comfortable pushing the limits a little further. I think the big spring Mahi are going to give me a workout.

Android77, where are you located?

vetgam

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

Miami

Where in Miami?

You can see my extensive write-ups about my AI 2 (2015 AI) starting here: http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=7276&start=600

Scroll down until you see "AI 2 Physical Characteristics. Part 1" There are several more posts on subsequent pages.

I'm in Pinecrest, just SW of Coral Gables.

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

Android77:
Now you have the right boat for near offshore, once you get some experience with the boat i suspect you will be very happy with the boats capabilities further off shore than you would dare go with your outback.
We have a TI and typically if the winds are over 10mph we keep our sail furled at least 1 to 2 turns, in higher winds feel free to furl in more. Thats one of the best features of the AI, being able to furl the sail to suit the conditions. Once you get the hang of it you will bury the ama's and bow much less often.
We are also long time kayakers, and spend most of our time in south florida and the keys, one discovery of ours was just how massive the area is and just how barren it is close to pretty much any shore (nothin but bare sand). We had an oasis and revolutions and found our range was limited and didn't feel comfortable going out in more open water (especially in the keys, which are huge). Since getting an adventure type boat, we feel it better meets our needs in the area. I'm pretty sure you will be very happy with the new boat. The best feature of all is on inland waters without the AMA's and sail you have yourself a killer kayak (more capable than your Outback was (IMO)), kind of two boats in one.
Like they say there is no day you can't go out on an adventure boat, just rig it for the conditions you need for the day. If you watch some of the videos from some of the guys like Yakass, you will catch on to some of their offsore fishing techniques (like folding one AMA in to grab the big ones (like Marlin, yea Marlin).
Though we don't fish much ourselves (we are divers and mostly spear fish) seeing what some of these veteran guys do with their adventure type boats is more than awesome.
If you get a chance to meet Chekika (Keith) he is the foremost authority on that area (should be writing books IMO) nobody knows more than Keith, plus he is an awesome person (huge respect from the rest of us)
Good luck
Bob

I've been offshore fishing in a PA and Outback for about 4 years now off Ft. lauderdale and Palm Beach. Caught lots of fish and just trying to be able to have a little more range with the AI. Will probably be able to fish offshore in the Keys now without totally exhausting myself. Have some more ambitious plans than just offshore trolling but need to be able to get out and find out what a feasible range is offshore. Keith I live in Palmetto Bay just off of 168 st so we are pretty much neighbors. I fish a lot with Pottymouth from the Florida Sportsman forum. Fishing is my main interest but would like to do a camping trip thru Florida Bay. Probably won't be able to happen this year. Work is got me kind of tied up right now and the bugs are going to be unbearable real soon. Would love to sit down with you and pick your brain about add ons and those little quirks that need to be worked out. Have done the Spectra for AMAs and a few other things but I guess there's probably a lot more to make things work better.

Android, drop me an email, and I'll add you to my list to be informed about trips, etc. I'm at kwellma at gmail dot com.

I've been tied up doing this WaterTribe 2015 EC stuff, but I plan to get back to my 2015 AI 2 shortly.

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