Thanks Fly4v, To recap, this is a 2008 AI with TI Amas grafted on. Seaworthiness, utility and comfort are the project goals.
The crossbar is a aluminum reinforcing strut/stabilizer bar, intended to distribute additional stresses arising from the TI's longer, more buoyant Amas. To a large degree, the use of the "haka" benches and the rear batwing seat do this already.
The feeling on the water is much tighter and more secure than unbraced Akas (even those with tramps).
My purpose is to share some cool design concepts and report back on how they work out. I hope this will spark others to use their imagination. There's plenty of it here on the forum. Many of us are not content to sit in the cockpit and sail missionary style for the rest of our lives. A lot is still possible with these boats.
Everything I share is with the designers blessing, and it's not going to be a how-to thread. For parts info and other mod details, you'll have to contact the builder over at the HKSC site.
These mods are not for everyone, but we all were wondering, what would happen if and AI and a TI "did it"? Someone had to be crazy enough to try it.
I will say that everything I've seen done so far is within the scope of most hobbyists. Where welding or precise pipe bending is needed, you can take the parts to a local muffler shop and ask them to do it for you.
We are facing 25 mph winds this weekend. If everything pans out, we will have sea trial reports, photos and videos for you soon. We'll put her on the scales too and see how much she weighs.
