Upgrades to '06 Mirage Adventure for sailing

I apologize in advance if this is in the incorrect forum category, if so, please redirect as necessary.

I have been looking to get into a AI or Tandem. A friend of mine is offering me (for a low price) a '06 Mirage Adventure which he is not using, which has a rudder system, dagger board and Mirage Drive. He believes it would be simple to purchase the AI Ama kit and sail kit to install, as suggested to him from "Tackle Shack" (in Pinellas Park, FL). The vendor website I have looked at states the Ama and sailing kit is for a 07' (http://www.austinkayak.com/). Any advice on this situation? I don't wish to take on another head ache project. I have yet to get a close inspection of the hull for integrity, though he states it is in good shape.

Thanks, Pete S.

The 2006 Adventure will not support the AI upgrade. The mold was changed in the 07 models to include embedded fittings to receive the crossbars.

An easy way to tell is to see if the boat has 4 pair of screws on the rails where the crossbar mounts would be. Here is a pic of the right front pair (in green highlight):


The Adventure makes a great kayak in its own right though and is fun and challenging to sail with the small sail. Of course, it's not an AI.


If you're inspecting the boat, look closely for any cracking in the cam columns.


There is a way to repair this -- use the search feature to learn more.

@Roadrunner,

Excellent answer. Thanks for details and picture.

Pete S.

I would just opt for the Hobie sail kit and a set of outriggers. That's how I outfitted my 2006 Adventure. Mine is a late 2006, which has some structural improvements over the early models.

Early 2006 Adventures are serial numbers D0001 through D1875

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