Don, the very first AI's arrived in very limited numbers. Of the models we (SLH) have received everything that arrived had pre-sold, and we still have numerous orders to fill on our next delivery to. Could be that your dealer hasn't had a delivery come in since Islands landed. Could also be that your dealer got their order/s in after other dealers got theirs in. I am not 100% sure how Hobie AU delegate stock these days, but I'm fairly certain it's partly determined on a first-come first served basis (and little or nothing to do with preferential treatment) but when limited numbers of a certain product arrives they do usually try and delegate evenly so that all or most dealers get a bit of love. But it's not always as simple as product X has arrived today, so all stores receive product X tomorrow. Your dealership could be trying to fill a truck full of stock to make the delivery worthwhile, for example, and thats not always easy to do at the drop of a dime. From my time working with Hobie AU I can tell you that there are a lot of factors that would effect how the process works and sometimes delays into store are a result of the ordering done by the dealership (timing, quantities, etc) and not the delegation of stock from the factory
Trust me, if Hobie could have supplied every pre-sold boat in one foul swoop, they would have done it with glee.
Anyway... I'm here to tell you chaps the wait will be worth it. I took mine for a spin in Bass Strait (20 knot northerly winds) on the weekend and oh boy, this thing is god-like in comparison to the old one. Yeah, its much the same thing, but the sum-total of all of the tweaks and changes has made for a faster, more buoyancy, comfortable and responsive ride. Its drier, partly due to sitting higher (xbar knuckles don't get slammed by water as much) and the shape and volume of the bow make for very different dynamics at the front of the boat. It turns tighter, sails into the wind tighter, steering seems more responsive and the action of steering it is improved (if you use the included tiller extender). Furling is a lot smoother, due to added friction plate, pulley block and lack of friction where the sheet runs down the side of the boat. Amas have more length and volume and are harder to bury, and when they do go under they just want to come straight back up. The new seat is a perfect for for the AI to.
Oh, I also caught 3 yellowtail kingfish (hooked 4) in an area that I have fished for the past couple years and only previously hooked one. I was moving pretty quick... I think the extra speed may have made the difference.
Yes the new AI hull is a bit heavier. I barely noticed it at all. Car-topping was no harder than my other AIs. Mind you, I assemble my AI waterside, and transport the boat disassembled. The amas are a lot heavier than the earlier ones, and hauling the entire thing rigged on a wheelcart will make for more work for sure.
On that note... the amas hang down a lot when fitted off the water... so much so that they will make contact with Hobie Trax 30 wheels and make hauling even tougher (not to mention scuff the ama). Its a good idea to elevate the amas by wedging something (I used my custom paddle) under the rear akas when the amas are pulled backwards. This gives plenty of clearance. But yes... I don't plan to haul it around fully rigged anyway.
Oh... and I am yet to notice the lack of side handles, save for the fact that there was nothing scooping water into the seat well
I'll add some photos later today.
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