The most versatile boats

This forum is great to see how others came up with ideas to add or modify the AI and Tandem boats to make them more versatile. Here some of the thing I done to my AI. I do have the tramps and used them a lot in the beginning the negative was for me that the plastic clips kept breaking and you get a wet ride. So I made some Akas bench with wood cover with foam and vinyl with back rest but this year I use my 2 SUP inflatable board instead the pros are they are light and very comfortable easy to dive from and nice to have if we want to explore .using my tiller extension I can sail standing up it give me a brand new sailing experience.


Last week I bought a 3.5 Mercury outboard four stroke it give me a lot power with two adult on board .I made a motor mount using a 2x4 , PVC pipe, and two 45 metal bracket, and had to install a splash protector on my first trial I noted that the wake from the motor was filling the well compartment of the AI faster that the scooper holes could drain out the water putting a lot of extra weight in the back so I got a plastic door mat at the dollar store and attached it to the side of the mount it work great no more splash in the well. I always have at least 4 ways to get home if the wind died sail,peddle,paddle or motor only these boat offer that many option. I used to own a small motor boat and was always worried what if the motor don't go . (All my boating here is on the Atlantic Ocean ) never worried now.








How I can say these boat are a blast I never regretted my purchase.

Dan

Ahhhh sups for hakas. Great idea! Bet its comfortable for kids too

_________________
"Not everyone who wanders is lost." - Tolkien

I wonder if the SUPs could potentially cause a capsizing problem in a strong wind. But I know they have a ton of buoyancy so maybe it's the opposite, maybe they would help prevent capsizing. Hmmm. Definitely plan on trying this though.

_________________
"Not everyone who wanders is lost." - Tolkien

So far no capsize and we have been out all summer severals times in all kind of conditions . I usually put them on only when I have a passenger, if I am by myself I now just put a cushion on each side of the rear Akas on top of the brackets it's a quick set up with elastic Velcro straps , lest then a minute I am ready to sail, I can hike out if I want or use them as an arm rest.

Dan

Wow ...plenty of room on those haka and being inflatable should be comfortable as well.
Previous SUP users reported theirs weighed between 20 - 40lbs.
Do you know how much yours weigh?

I like the motor mount...with improved rod holding.

They are very light 21lbs and 10'6" long it is very comfortable, when I hike out I can be sitting, kneeling and my favorite standing up is really a blast ( I went over the procedure with my wife how to do a man overboard retrieval just in case )

Dan

Where did you buy that SUP? And how much?
Are you still supporting the use of these? Or you found a better alternative?
Thanks

there are many "objects" that can be used as haka. The sup can have the problem of the "sail effect" in strong wind but of course have some other pros (comfortable, light). Also the medical stretcher is interesting but they are quite expensive stuff compared to a wooden or aluminum self made haka.