To any i9s owners (or Hobie staffers) who have actually flown with their boat: Can I expect to be slapped with an oversize bag charge? Now $100 on AA. Yikes!
I've read every post I could find on the subject in this forum. I'm planning to take my i9s with me soon and am prepared to pay extra charges but wanted to hear experiences of others. 5 days of fishing on the CA coast is worth it to me!
The weight of hull and travel bag (accessories packed separately) is 45 pounds according to my measurement. So, it should not be overweight. I plan to "tarp wrap" the hull inside the bag. I'm hoping (wishfully) that will be the end of it!
However, I'm wondering if the size of the i9s bag will catch the attention of the gate agents and cause them to pull out the tape measure?
AA considers anything over 60 inches (L + W + H) to be oversize. The length of the i9s bag (32") and the width (22") are "non-negotiable". Obviously, that only leaves 6 inches to allow for thickness (H). Thickness on the packed bag varies from 10/11 inches at the top to 14 at the bottom and who-knows-what at the bulges in the middle (kinda like me)!
In an effort to try and "tame the bulges", I tried pre-packing the hull, so to speak, with a couple of straps cinched down tight. One side benefit: sure makes it easy to drop into the bag!