Have you used the New AI Daggerboard?

If you have used the new AI daggerboard...
1) how well did it work (does the AI point higher into the wind)?
2) At a price of about $100 was it worth the purchase?

I have not seen it yet but an AI Sailor who has compared them said this:

"The daggerboard is the same length, but it is made of plastic, not fibreglass. It is more resistant to chipping but is more flexible.

The new one has a tad more area in the tip but is exactly the same length.

If you ask me, the new daggerboard will have lower sailing performance but will be cheaper and tougher in the hands of a novice."

(No flames directed at me please, I am the medium not the message.)

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Fair Skies, Max.

I have been on my AI just three times. The rudder is fine but tends to float up. I have more issues with the rudder. I find the lines stretch and wondered why the first two times I had little control of the steering.

Once I tightened up the rudder controls by putting the hull up on a couple of stands and went out again the control was much better and I had little trouble tacking.

My biggest problem is now that I cant get the wheels in because it is too big a stretch from holding up the rear end.

I put the wheels on as I'm lowering the AIs off my truck. I added straps to hold them on as I lower the hull down. The newer scupper carts have a scupper holder built in.

When returning to land, I put the wheels on when in a couple feet of water and roll in.

When putting the hull on wheels from the ground, I roll the hull onto one side to add the wheels, and then roll back onto the wheels.

Most important, don't let the cart come part-way out of the scuppers under load. That can damage a scupper.

I hope that helps.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

I looked at the new dagger at the dealers today.

Basically the same length, a bit broader and heavier and more flex in it.

I decided not to buy one but to stick with my original. It will certainly be more robust but I can't see it adding to the boat's performance significantly. In other posts I got a bit excited about not getting one of these but having seen it I'm very relaxed.

You need to pull the down line tight and cleat the rudder down.

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