Have you done any "expedition" trips on the AI?

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

Yes that makes sense Keith. Seat height is not an issue on the Islands.
But it is an issue in kayak mode and that is what I am most disappointed about with the '15 AI.
It doesn't look as if it would perform well as a kayak.
It is too bulky, heavy (especially with the built in centreboard) and now it looks too top heavy with the raised seat.

What was possibly the most versatile craft available is no more?

I have no intention of upgrading my AI. I will downgrade to a Revo16 and use the TI for our sailing adventures. I am very happy the DB remains on the Revo16 so that I can still kayak sail but I'm concerned the new seats won't allow hiking out?

I will be extremely disappointed if the '15 TI has the same seat height issues that make it it too top heavy to use as a kayak. If it does I won't be upgrading anything.

Stringy, I reckon you're making a few assumptions that might prove wrong. I was pleasantly surprised how little difference to stability the highest seating position on the Revo 13 made. I reckon the new AI will perform fine in kayak mode, regardless of seat height. It will be heavier, but I doubt it's going to be overly detrimental to its performance. Most of that extra weight will be low in the hull, so I think that might help counter the seat height a little as well. And the TI hull is so incredibly stable on its own its hard to imagine seat height being an issue for it. I can comfortably walk from end of that thing to the other (without any amas).

In any case, the new design AI was always going to mean compromise somewhere when higher sailing performance was the mission objective. The fact is that most people that buy islands these days are in it for the sailing more so than the kayaking and Hobie have just responded to that. For those of us keen for higher sailing performance, a sacrifice in kayaking performance is expected and acceptable. And for those who prefer the old one, its a buyers market for those right now, and will be a while

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Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au

On all previous images I have seen of the 2015 AI, the furling cam cleat is much closer to the the main sheet cam cleat.
In your video Keith, it seems that they have moved it back closer to the mast (as in the previous models)
I would have thought that it would be better to be further away from the mast, so the furling line doesn't get tangled with your feet.
Looks like I will be changing the control lines as I did with my old AI.
The following picture is from my old 2013 AI.

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2021 Dune Hobie Lynx

Yeah, it would've made sense to move the furling cleat - as it stands it's still gets in the way of the pedals.

I would've went with the above mod if I didn't have rod-holders mounted in that spot.

I also think the pre-2015 rear well is a better design. My old Revo had the same rear-well/deck area as the new A.I.
(looks to me like they used the same mould! ) and having the bungee cleats outdoor was a constant niggle -
when trolling lines would often get snagged between the cleat and the bungee.

If you have a problem using the rear-bungee to tie-down things in the well, there's a very simple mod you can do -
simply cut a small section out of some Hobie screw-in pad-eyes, round off the end and you have a near-perfect
(and very strong - I can lift the entire A.I. hull on four of these!) way of making sure the bungees hold better:



Cheers,

Mike.

I suspect 95% of the AI/TI owners out there will likely never go out in kayak mode. Personally I feel the tI is the fastest and best kayak Hobie makes, but to be perfectly honest I seldom use it just as a kayak and suspect pretty much everyone else does the same, but it sure is nice to know I can still use my TI as a kayak if the need arises. We tend to go mostly in big water (salt water) anymore and tend to travel great distances and have gotten away from our kayaking roots, I have no idea if this is good or bad, but what we have (TI) fits our preferred lifestyle very well. From where I sit (pun) the more comfortable seat is big plus.
Bob

Very nice setup, Hogman.

Regarding the rear well storage, the new design does a couple things: (1) the slanted hatch opening sheds more water with less leakage thru cover--important in rough seas, (2) more inside storage thru the back hatch with less chance to tangle or abrade lines, (3) the over the side cleats make for more solid bungee attachment (although, I will likely replace them with screw-in padeyes). I believe the tandem has the same design, and my tandem friends have not complained. On our recent, week-trip along coastal everglades, the Turners carried a large cooler back there.

@Fusioneng--I see from the Classifieds that you are planning to upgrade to the 2015 Tandem. Makes sense. The original AI was designed to be a very versatile boat. The AI 2 is simply responding to demand, I think. Better sailing experience and less "kayaking." As I mentioned earlier, I haven't used my AI in the kayak-mode for 2 yrs. Getting old, I guess, besides we have 2 beautiful, "real" sea kayaks (Current Designs Nomad) which I'm planning to sell. I knew when I got my first AI, my kayaking days were ending.

Keith

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

Keith:
That's funny how we change over time, were mostly kayakers who liked kayak sailing for many years, before getting our first TI. We sold most of our kayaks after getting the ti but hung on to my wife's revo which she loved for three more years, but during that time it was only used twice so we ended up selling that. Last time we used the TI in kayak mode was at crystal river a couple years ago where we went out the first day in the TI kayak (we left the sails and AMA's at the hotel). It was a little windy and choppy and we just couldn't go very far (crystal river is about 5 miles inland from the gulf and very large. When we went out the next day she insisted we take the whole rig (sails, AMA's, motor, etc), we took our scuba gear and had an absolute blast diving the springs. That was the last time we used a kayak, it's funny how people change over time I guess.
Bob

Yes, I think it is great we change. Life would be dull if we didn't...and, aging forces change on you--I'm living proof.

Keith

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

You could well be right Yakass. I hope what I've assumed is wrong. Re-reading my post it is a bit strong to go off assumptions so I've edited it slightly. What shocked me was Keith's seat height statement. A 4" higher seat in the old AI would have made it very unstable in kayak mode.
I hope someone with a '15 AI can report back on it's capability as a kayak.
I'll start another thread on the '15 upgrades in the hope of getting some good feedback.

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

Hi Keith great thread mate, I'm really enjoying the pics and details of your new AI. The piece of foam, any idea what its for? Surely not bouyancy?.

Thanks

Roller

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Every day is an Adventure Island day

Yes, Roller, definitely buoyancy.

Keith

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

Roller:
I may be mistaken but I believe there is some sort of CE rule on positive flotation for all boats and kayaks sold in Europe. Since Hobies products are distributed world wide, I believe the flotation foam was added for compliance to these laws, making the kayaks Un sink able even if completely flooded. Personally I won't be removing the positive floation foam from my hull, I consider it to be a good thing.
Bob

Bob! With all the extra weight you put on your boats, they definitely need all the floatation they can get. You should foam the whole inside of your hull! Definitely!

I'm the one who, through my own fault, flooded my 2011 AI and still sailed a mile to shore. It had plenty of floatation--I removed a chunk of foam from that AI also, when it became tangled in the lines.

Keith

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon