Return to Hobie.com
Hobie Forums
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 11:14 am

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 18 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Inflatables in Australia
PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:55 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:29 am
Posts: 29
I signed in to this forum a while ago , but then got busy , moving down to the coast.
In that time , the dealer I had been hoping to buy from has gone broke , and now I see there is an i9 !!!.
It seems perfect for me .
I want something I can stow inside my camper , and this looks ideal !.
And I'd hope to be able to set it up fo fishing , thats the whole idea.
But checking briefly in to dealer sites , it seems they don't even advertise the inflatables , let alone the i9.
Is there anyone able to comment , on the availability of the i9 in Australia , or the suitability of the i9 for fishing ?.
Regards Rob J.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Inflatables in Australia
PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:35 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:18 pm
Posts: 17
Location: Tasmania, Australia
G'day Rob

Tamar Marine in Launceston Tas has the i9 in stock. Looks to be a very neat package and a lot less bulky than the i12, as you would expect. I would expect its stability to be very similar to that of the i12.

I have no idea about its suitability for fishing.

Tasman


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 4:52 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:29 am
Posts: 29
Thanks Tasman.
I sent an e-mail to the Geelong agents , and have got a response already , so see how we go.
I'll keep you informed.
Regards Rob J.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:56 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:29 am
Posts: 29
I have got a reply from the Geelong Hobie agent , they have an i9 there now !.
If things fall in to place for me , that i9 is gonna have my name on it.
Rob J.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:16 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:29 am
Posts: 29
Well , I'm ashamed to say I still haven't got that i9 !.
Not entirely my fault though , a couple of times I've told them I'm coming down for an i9 , and have been told they need it for a boat show , and would ring me back after the show (and haven't).
But , I'm back seriously looking at an i9.
The situation has changed a little though.
Now I'm the proud owner of an Iain Oughtred Grey Seal , a 22ft gaff rigged double ender.
I'd like to use the i9 as a tender , and to fish from.
The trouble is , how would I inflate/deflate an i9 in the relative confines of the boats cockpit?.
Or , could I drop the i9 over the side , and pump it up using a 12v compressor ?.
Or , if I left it up , how well does an i9 tow ?.
And most importantly , how stable is it , when getting in and out of it , from the boat ?.
Edited to add , the issue has been forced because I am having real trouble rowing my tender out to the boat , against the wind.
I have the strength , but my arthritic wrists and hands can't cope.
I believe I will have no trouble peddling , but how does an i9 handle a headwind ?
Regards Rob J.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 1:52 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 1:28 am
Posts: 3
Hi from Mornington Peninsula Melbourne
Looked at i9 and i12 inflatables today. Can't decide which model to buy - any advice please.
Thanks MRK


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 2:11 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:29 am
Posts: 29
G/Day MRK.
Where are you going to see the inflatables ?.
What do you intend doing with whatever you buy ?.
Regards Rob J.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 11:07 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:29 am
Posts: 29
I thought I'd post the site that has some photos of my boat , and see if people can suggest ways I could use an i9 as a tender.
If I carry it in the cabin , how do I blow it up , and deflate it ?.
Or , how well will it tow ?.
Try http://good-times.webshots.com/album/573227485tSfSuv .
I hope that works.
Regards Rob J.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 2:52 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 1:28 am
Posts: 3
Hi Rob J,
Saw Hobie inflatables at Mornington Hobie dealer - very helpful and good advice.
I want to paddle near my home in Mornington - as I travel to Queensland frequently want to take with me on airplane.
I have also been looking at some 'folding kayaks' (from USA) as an alternative
MRK


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 3:16 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:29 am
Posts: 29
MRK , yes , I reckon that would be fantastic , being able to check your boat in !.
But what are the baggage weight restrictions , on whatever airline you travel with ?.
I'm disappointed I got no response on my inflation/deflation question.
It probably sounds a pretty stupid question , until you think it through .
Initially , I thought an i9 would be a natural as a tender , stored on the yacht , but when I thought of the inflation /deflation , I could only see a problem.
Regards Rob J.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:40 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:31 am
Posts: 17
re: inflating... the boat comes with a hand pump that is very efficient. I have an i14t which I can have fully inflated in 5 minutes if I'm in a hurry without getting exhausted. Not familiar with your larger boat, but the i9 should be lightweight enough to inflate onboard and drop off the stern. For stowing onboard, you should be able to lift it up from the stern, at least one end, and then deflate. It's much easier to work with inflated of course.

update: ok I didn't see your pic link until after writing the above. If you were arriving at the yacht and wanted to store the i9 onboard, you might could lift the rear of the i9 aboard where the air nozzles are and then deflate, pulling up the rest of the i9 as it deflates and folding. For launching, you might could drape the i9 bow partially out of the boat and then inflate. As it stiffens it should be easier to work with. It's hard to give advice without seeing how much room you have to work with, but it looks doable.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:22 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:29 am
Posts: 29
Thanks for the reply.
What you propose is probably the only way it would be doable , but I'm thinking , when pumping up , won't the pump be angled away from me , and thus be difficult to operate ?.
I'm thinking a remote air line might help , but perhaps that is not do-able with that pump.
Again , thanks for your reply.
Regards Rob J.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:33 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:31 am
Posts: 17
I think you will be able to position the boat and hand pump in a way to make it work. I have the electric pump also but never use it. Its much slower and I don't think it has the pressure to really get the boat fully inflated. You usually have to top it off with a few hand pump strokes. If you get the i9 let us know how it goes.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:36 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:29 am
Posts: 29
As much as I like the look of the i9 , I wouldn't buy it , unless I could use it to advantage.
How well would it tow behind my yacht , if I decided to use it in that way ?.
Regards Rob J.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:23 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:59 am
Posts: 606
ddriver wrote:
As much as I like the look of the i9 , I wouldn't buy it , unless I could use it to advantage.
How well would it tow behind my yacht , if I decided to use it in that way ?.
Regards Rob J.


Why tow it, when you can fold it up and store it on deck. Then inflat when needed for fishing... Good luck


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 18 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Jump to:  
© Hobie Cat Company. All rights reserved.
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group