Ready to buy but I need some real world experience/expertise

Hi everyone, I have been researching the Hobie AI for a few months now and lurking on the forum. The only remaining question I have is about the yaks maximum weight for BTB activities. I would mainly be off the California coast between Ventura and Morro Bay. I weigh 205 pounds and scuba dive, speardive, and fish. Is there an optimal weight range for the AI? At the maximum weight of 350 pounds would the boat sit low in the water and would the handling suffer? I haven't been able to find a AI driver over 170 pounds

Thanks for reading and I would appreciate any advice... (besides dieting)

Dunno what a BTB activity is, but there are lots of AI users over 200 pounds. The AI can easily handle a 205 pound driver plus scuba gear. I've taken a passenger out and been near the AI's 350 pound limit and the boat sat low in the water and was a little sluggish upwind, but I actually thought it performed better than usual downwind (in a good breeze), due to the weight in the back lifting the bow.

I looked BTB up in the dictionary of acronyms: http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/BTB
The best I could figure is you're actually Bob The Builder in real life or you want to sail Beyond The Breakers (no problem) or you work for the Botswana Tourism Board (or maybe all three)

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Chris, I applaud your decorum, as you could have so easily descended into the world of pron, but behaved yourself LOL

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

I weigh a bit under 200 lbs, but carry a LOT of gear, especially when fishing. With the extra gear, I may be (no more than) 5% slower then other AI's, but often make that up for that with skill and cunning.

The only minor problem with that much weight in an AI is you will be sitting an a small puddle (seat) with your heels in a bigger puddle (drive well). Also, the water gets pretty close to the center hatch with that much weight.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

I weigh about 170, and my dad weighs about 150 (or so). We've sailed together on the AI a number of times. The thing to remember with the AI, is that these are not Porsche sports cars. The amount of fun isn't only related to speed. In fact speed isn't even 50% of the fun of an AI. The AI with that much weight does slow down. For me, it didn't reduce the fun all that much. If you want to get maximum performance, you go alone, and you go empty (with safety gear) But the joy of the AI is that it can take you to amazing places and do amazing things. I loved that boat for it's versatility and it's capability. Speed was only a small portion of the total enjoyment package.

I used to have an AI, and bought a Bravo. When sailing the Bravo slowly, it's alright. Personally I still like it, but it's nothing special. Sailing it in higher winds is MUCH more fun. The Bravo is a single purpose boat, and getting it to perform at a higher speed is much more fun simply because that's what it is designed to do. The AI is so much more than a Bravo.

I always say, the Bravo does a few things well (easy set up, good speed, fly a hull, carry two)

The AI did all kinds of things well!! (tremendous versatility, paddle, pedal, sail, great kayak, fun sailboat, shallow water, deep water, smooth water, choppy water, large swells, fishing, camping, car topping, ability to go anywhere, in almost any weather.... etc.. etc.. etc..)

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Thank you all for the replies, I guess the AI will sail nicely with 300 pounds on it. Now my only decision is whether to buy a 2011 model for $3,000 or a 2012 model for $3,749... Any thoughts on this?

I'm not aware of any significant changes between the two - except I think the 2012 has an improved mirage drive locking mechanism or similar.
If they are both brand new and come with a full warranty, I think I would go with the 2011.
Just make sure you are aware of how to avoid accidentally unlocking the click.'n go mechanism on the mirage drive. I never have a problem with it these days, but when I first started I (& many others) managed to unlock the mechanism with the heel of my foot occassionally.
This results in the drive getting jammed in the drive well, which can be quite difficult to unjam.
If you get hooked on these things - like most of us - this won't be the first and last model you buy. There will be future models with many more significant improvements and you will find you want to upgrade and get all the benefits they offer.
Conversely, I originally owned a 2009 model. It was a great boat and actually had some features I prefer to the 2011.

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Mickey
2016 AI Hibiscus
purchased NEW Nov 2021 - My 5th
Adventure Island Sailing since 2008

The major changes happened between 2010 and 2011. The 2011 or newer boat is the way to go. If you have a choice between the 2011 and 2012, I'd go with the 2011, all things being equal. There are not enough changes to justify paying that much more for virtually the same boat. (in my opinion)

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2012 also brought my favorite upgrade - the Twist Lock seat pegs.

The 2011 comes with Expandable pegs but can be upgraded rather easily and inexpensively as show in THIS POST.

my 2009 AI handled me and my 250# butt and gear just fine...with my wife and kid on the tramps. well over the 350# limit with all 3 of us, with coolers and no problems....not that i would recommend this....

but we wound up picking up TI since the AI was so much fun

also noticed my '12 TI came with the new reinforced scuppers with those black sleeve thingies in em.

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2019 Hobie Outback Slate Blue
2018 Hobie Compass Seagrass Green
2012 Hobie Pro Angler w/MD180 Papaya Orange

ex 2012 Hobie Tandem Island
ex 2011 Hobie Pro Angler
ex 2011 Hobie Adventure Island
ex 2010 Hobie Adventure Island

I placed an order this a.m. for a 2012 Adventure Island... I can't wait!!! Hopefully this time next week I will be sailing I plan on practicing my sailing up at lake Isabella 4-5 times before attempting any close to shore ocean sailing. When I feel that I am ready for the ocean I will most likely be in the Ventura, CA area.

If anyone has any advice on the initial setup of the A.I. let me know.

ps. Kayak Bob, I have your webpage linked so I will need some of your spray skirts if you are still making and selling them.

Congratulations TJ. You won't regret it. Check out http://yakass.net/ . They all use AI's and the website has a wealth of information about using them for fishing, expeditions, camping and lots more.

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You should get much joy out of your new AI. I still do after 5 1/2 years!

Dee has one just waiting for you. http://www.kayakingbob.com/sprayskirt-purchase


also, on this page http://www.kayakingbob.com/hobie-ai I have most of my AI mods I do to the boats. enjoy! and post your progress.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006