Hey Guys,
Since we have had her for a year now in all kinds of uses/places we feel like we have given it enough time to figure out what modifications we want. I'd like to know what you experienced Island owners opinions are of what's the latest and greatest or tried-and-true of these three mods.
1) Aft cockpit seat conversion to chair. This one I used the search button to no avail. I am finding chair conversions on other Hobie kayaks but we are sailors who got a TI, not kayakers who got a TI so I am not 100% which of those kayak chair mods would be compatible. Have any links or personal experience, please?
We actually feel we got the best TI they made, 2014. Very happy we didn't go with the heavier hull and Vantage seats because I would never want one in the fwd cockpit. Now the aft is a different story. My hubs is 250# and 6'2". He is tired of being so wet back there. He says a lot of it is coming from the handles (we are going to try stuffing a big sponge in it to see how that goes). He is very handy, especially with boats (having done too many refits to count) so he has some ideas of adding a beach chair (want it light and arms that when you lift up allow a recline). Anybody have a blog or vlog link for one you did or liked?
2) H-bar. What are your favorite ones you have seen or done? Thinking maybe we could mount something to the aft chair?
3) Barber hauler. So far my favorite looking and least amount of effort/materials is the one with the bar bolted thru the aka here
https://goo.gl/images/HrPQXiOr this one (not as sleek looking tho)
https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=49423Not a lot of comments about it. One concern is if it becomes flimsy in heavy weather (gusts over 20 kts)? However, from what I can tell it looks like you can unhook the sheet by hand instead of needing a boat hook type device (such as notching the kayak paddle)?
Thanks for your feedback!
SailorV