cooldudecaptain :
I probably have a different take on sailing and going out on the water than most, I just like to go out there and do as much as possible 'water related' (ie.. scuba diving, snorkeling, destination sailing (like island hopping)). Though I don't fish (except spear fishing, and lobstering), I appreciate those that do. As a former powerboater (can't afford that anymore) I need a boat to do everything water related that we used to do with our powerboats (without the huge expense). This doesn't mean I no longer like to go out on the water, always will love to do that. Another big thing for us is with powerboats we could access 10% of the inter-coastal waterways (channels), with the TI it's over 95%, you can easily sail or paddle over a sand bar in 5-6 inches of water, or pull the sail down and snake thru mangrove tunnels, all with the same boat.
In my opinion the two boats are completely different boats designed for different purposes. The wave is a beach/day sailer pretty much designed specifically to do exactly what it does well, but that's about it. I have never seen anyone fishing off a wave, and have almost never seen anyone destination sailing a wave loaded down with camping gear, and trying to get somewhere 20-300 miles away. I can't remember ever seeing a Wave/ Laser/Sunfish going up or down a river. I see lots of Waves, Lasers, sunfish, etc all the time out in Sarasota bay, 99% of the time just zigging back and forth close to the harbor or competing against each other sailing around bouys (not my thing at all). Since it's a one design class type boat no modifications are allowed so the same boats they sail now are exactly the same as boats built 40-50 yrs ago in some cases. I used to own a sunfish back in the 60's and hated it then, for the life of me I can't figure out why that design has continued unchanged for 60+ yrs (it sucked then and it sucks now in my opinion), like it's locked in time.
If that's your thing then that's not what the Adventure boats are all about. The Adventures (AI/TI) are like SUV's they can do pretty much anything you task them to do. There is no time that you cannot take a AI/TI out, no wind, high winds (within reason) just doesn't matter. We are campers and have traveled quite a bit (over 200,000 miles) with camper in tow and kayaks on the roof. We have been out scuba diving coral reefs at our place in Key West 10-15 miles from launch with full scuba gear (tanks, BC's, coolers, etc) one day, then the next day spend the day kayaking 30 miles up and down the Sante Fe river (in kayak mode without the sails and AMA's). Then two weeks later run the class 2 rapids of the Huron river (Ann Arbor Michigan), then a week later pedal/sail out to Mackinac Island for the day all with the same exact boats (true story).
Both boats are very well made and do well at what they are intended for, so either is a very good choice. I guess you need to decide what you want to do with your boat and how you plan to use it, then select the boat that fits you lifestyle and needs. They both cost about the same. If you are alone 95% of the time then and AI might be the best choice, if you want a family type boat where you can take your whole family out then a TI, Wave, or Getaway might be in order. There is no boat out there that fits everyone's needs for everything. You are forbidden to modify the wave in any way shape or form (class rules). Most Islands are heavily modified with whatever the owner likes to use their boats for, things like motors, trampolines, HAKA's, Lorance sonar systems, off shore radios, custom seating, fancy gear tackle/rod holding systems, live wells, you name it and people have it on their TI's (though I have not seen one with a Raymarine radar system yet (it's just a matter of time (LOL)). Hope this helps Bob
|