2014 TI vs. 2015

So a local dealer is selling a New 2014 TI for $4800 to get rid of the last few they have in the warehouse. With the price of a New 2015 TI going at $6200 is paying the extra $1400 worth the upgrades to the mirage drive and Vantage seat? I know the bow is reverse now and the sail has more of a scallop but those are not major performance upgrades IMHO.

One of the biggest changes is the seats. If you are comfortable with the original seats for the length of time you normally sail, the older 2014 is the best deal. If not comfortable enough for extended time on the water, then the new 2015 with the new seats is probably more than worth the difference.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

I doubt you'll find much difference in the hull shape in terms of practical on the water difference. It's the seat that might, or might not, make the extra money worthwhile.

If you like the fit of the seat, and have a need for removing the seat and perhaps using it as a camp chair, then maybe it's worth the additional $$$. On the other hand, my current TI seats fit me well and I have other lightweight camp chairs to use (less than 2 pounds each) when taking the TI on a camping trip or similar outing where we need to go ashore and prefer to sit on something other than the ground.

Any TI for $4800, new, is an absolute steal!

As the others said, the seat may make all the difference. It is the primary reason I went with a 2015 TI myself.

Have you tried the older style Hobie seat? Many like it just fine, but others - including me - find it unbearable. I have a 2013 Outback that I almost returned because of the seat. Just 10 minutes in it and my back was killing me. Fortunately I opted instead to rig up my own custom seat for it - now it's super-comfy, my floating recliner that is my favorite yak. (For now! I hope/expect the TI to give it a serious challenge! )

The mods I made to my Outback won't work for the front seat of a TI, though, so I was thrilled to see the upgraded seat for 2015. I have a Coosa with the "lawn chair style" seat so already knew I liked that setup, I can sit on the Coosa all day in comfort as well. It also means I won't be sitting in a puddle, with the older seat (even my custom setup) the first good splash dumps water in my lap and fills the seat well and I have a wet butt the rest of the day.

Of course the wait for my TI (preordered back in August) is driving me up the wall. (At least I'm not in the middle of summer like the Aussies! ) If you'd rather get out sooner than later and the seats are fine for you the 2014 would be a heck of a deal.

Check out the video on the seat or better yet go sit in one. They are very comfortable and adjustable. I sat in one at Demo Days and loved it. Looking forward to seeing how it feels after a few hours.
- chris

We wondered the same thing just before Christmas.....

Living in Texas, you can get out on the water pretty much year-round. We didn't want to wait until April+, so we opted for a 2014 model which was delivered to the dealer the very next day.

Although we had never sailed before, we have been out a half-dozen times already - on the lake, the Gulf, and the intra-coastal waterway, and have loved every minute of it!

We are already planning a road trip to the Florida Keys for late May, and plan to get out on the water somewhere each day en-route.

We figured if we really got hooked, and the 2015 TI turns out to be so much better we would trade up in a couple of years. Right now, $700/seat is not enough for me - that $1,400 bought my trailer.

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2012 Hobie Kona
2014 Hobie Tandem Island

I recently put down a deposit on a 2015 TI. I had owned a Red Hibiscus TI since the summer of 2011. I was so impressed with the boat in 2011, that I worked with the local dealer, the New Anchorage of Lyons, Colorado, to form FRIO (Front Range Island Owners). I believe we are the 6th Island club to form, and among the better marketed of the 120 or now in existence. As Club Captain, I encourage our members to help the Hobie Cat company and the local dealer at demos. This is not all altruism, sales from demos are our key tactic to grow our membership. Buyers don't just buy a boat, they become part of our fraternity of Island enthusiasts. We're there to help at the ramp and on the water if need be. At demos, FRIO members make themselves available to give rides so that, in addition to the boats brought by the Dealer and the Company, interested parties don't have so long to wait, that they give up and leave. My current TI is for sale and I eagerly await the new one hoping to receive it before mid-April when our first event, a maintenance clinic, is scheduled. I believe a Club Captain should have the latest flagship product so that they can help demo it.

I am also persuaded that a few more inches of water line brought about by the negative-angle bow on the main hull and the Amas, will provide a little more speed. But the seats are the main attraction for me. No only am I expecting considerable improvements in comfort due to the ability to adjust angles, height and tension on the Lumbar support, the idea that I can avoid discomfort that comes from sitting in wetness for very long, it a big deal for me. I like that I can drain the cockpit with the pull of a draw cord and anything that will reduce the pedaling effort is worthwhile with the new gliding technology of the new mirage drives. When sailing out to an island for a picnic, I don't want to have to tie down extra lawn-type chairs when the seats on the boat were also made to satisfy that very purpose. Along the way I've learned some things about the care of a boat that will keep the new one looking nice for a long time. I am also excited about the new hotter Red Hibiscus that will match my tow vehicle very nicely.

Fair winds,

~John McNeely
FRIO Logo https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-AqX_XwwP88R3NvcGt4bGctZTA/view?usp=sharing

Hi All on the Hobie Forum,

My name is Warrick and I am new to the forum. I have been interested in purchasing a tandem Islander since I first learned about them around 3 years ago and am finally going to buy one. I live at a place called Yanchep in South Western Australia. The beach is just across the road and offers some fantastic wind for sailing with lots of offshore reefs and some fantastic inshore lagoons further north of where I live.

I have a dilemma however and that is whether I purchase the new 2015 model which I believe I should be able to get my hands on in the next 2 months or buy the 2014 model that has been offered to me for a run out price which is around $1700 cheaper than the 2015 model. I have read the comments about the improvement in seating in the 2015 model and it is a consideration however is there any other major improvements with the new model that could convince me to pay the extra hard earned for?

My goal for the tandem is to be able to sail out to a couple of offshore surfing reefs that are situated approximately 2 km from shore but around 8 kms south of the beach I will launch from. I am a keen surfer and am looking at creating a sailing experience to accompany my passion for surfing. I would anchor the Hobie near the break and surf until our prevailing wind from the South West comes on and then sail down wind home. My partner would like to sail with me on the odd occasion hence the reason for the tandem.

I would appreciate any advice from owners of these wonderful boats that can enlighten me on the reality of what I am trying to achieve as well as the value in paying the extra for a 2015 model.

Regards Warrick.

I decided that for me the seats made a big difference, so I decided to wait for the 2015.
There are some other smaller items that Hobie changed, like the drains under the seat. They also added double bungees to hold the amas on as well as the hull change in front.

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island

If you get the 2014, you can upgrade the seat to an Attwood Centric SAS that I think is as good or better than the Vantage. Don't know what the availability or cost is for this seat in your area. See thread on Attwood for more details.

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Mark
Tandem Island- 2013
2 - Sports - 2014

The 2015 TI also weighs 240# fully rigged, rather than the 198# claimed on the Hobie site.

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

Keith,
Curious, where do you think all that added weight is? I am assuming a 2014 weighed 198lbs? Those seat don't weigh 40 lbs. Is there something else causing it?

Thanks
Ron

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island

Ron, I suppose they have beefed up certain parts. For example, I've thought the bow needed strengthening--it was too flexible. The seats probably add as much as 14# over the regular seats. The hull beneath the new seats adds significantly to the new weight. The hardware to attach the new seats is another addition.

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

Thanks for the feedback riverron. Does the 2015 sail any differently to the older model? Do the Amas need the extra bungee as an improvement in design? Thanks for all your help as it is a great forum with so many passionate Hobie owners. I feel like I have entered a new world since discovering this Forum.

Regards Warrick.

I've noticed that there isn't too many used TI's for sale this month like the past 4 months. Looks like the fire sale has subsided. Wonder if the production hang up on the 2015's has something to do with it.

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Mark
Tandem Island- 2013
2 - Sports - 2014