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Hiking stick for pre-2011 AI?
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Author:  AIChris [ Wed May 15, 2013 8:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Hiking stick for pre-2011 AI?

My friendly neighborhood kayak store has the hiking stick up on their web page, and it says it will fit 2011 and later steering handles.

To make it fit my 2009 AI, can I simply buy a new handle (part 81013001)?

If not, is there a kit or anything I can use to retrofit the steering handle to accept the hiking stick?

Thanks for any advice. I am currently using a broom handle with a carabiner clipped into a hole drilled into the steering handle, but it is less than ideal.

-Chris

Author:  KayakingBob [ Wed May 15, 2013 8:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hiking stick for pre-2011 AI?

You could just drill a hole in the old handle and add a lock-nut as it's just a threaded end on a flexible cable.

Author:  mmiller [ Thu May 16, 2013 8:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hiking stick for pre-2011 AI?

The new handle requires a new crank. There are also some internal differences in the steering lines as the crank only has one arm. Used to have 2.

Author:  AIChris [ Thu May 16, 2013 4:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hiking stick for pre-2011 AI?

That sounds like too much work! I guess the only thing that can be done is to get a 2013 Tandem Island! I'm sure my wife will understand.

;-)

Seriously, thanks for replying so quickly. I was hoping to have a slick solution, but I'll probably stick with my broom handle solution for now.

-Chris

Author:  Drewyaker [ Mon Aug 19, 2013 2:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hiking stick for pre-2011 AI?

It is possible to get a new steer lever on to the original crank. It was a pain to drill and tap for a ss screw at right height and angle to make it work. I also added a plastic plate from a 1/4 thick cutting board below to add extra support to the crank shaft. [url][URL=http://s1165.photobucket.com/user/Drewyaker/media/DSCN0198.jpg.html]Image

Author:  mmiller [ Mon Aug 19, 2013 4:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hiking stick for pre-2011 AI?

Nice work!!

Author:  Drewyaker [ Tue Aug 20, 2013 1:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hiking stick for pre-2011 AI?

Thanks.
This AI was a wreck when I got it. One of its many issues was the crankshaft was tilted forward in its worn out hole causing the original rudder handle to dig into the deck. At first I re sleeved it with a ss tube, but the steering line tension was still causing forward tilt. Therefore the solution was a replaceable plate. This in turn meant less shaft sticking up for the old handle, a new crank arm would also have been too short for a new handle, so it just so happened that the new style handle worked out perfectly on the old crank arm with some drilling and tapping. Now if it ever starts to wear, I can just make a new plate, but doubt I ever have to because now have a longer ss sleeve extending through the plate and deck. Marine grease is in the sleeve and steers like it has bearings. :D

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