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A small big problem
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Author:  Chekika [ Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:57 pm ]
Post subject:  A small big problem

First time I took my AI down to Flamingo in Everglades National Park, I transported it bottom up to avoid getting dents in the hull bottom. It is a 140 mile round-trip drive for me, so I was very disappointed when I found that a ball/brace and screw (Hobie part # 79525001, #8030212) had fallen out during the drive--no way to attach the aka brace to the hull :!: In a panic mode, since this was going to ruin my whole day, I found that the rudder lockdown screw fit (in fact it did not--the screw was the wrong thread, but worked. However, it did get damaged by the end of the day.) I had a nice sailing/fishing trip.

Next day, I went to West Marine and found a couple work-arounds. the screw is a 1" 1/4-20x machine screw Phillips oval, West #336883. For the ball part, I first bought a bushing-jam fitting 3/8" (West #290114). This was too large and had to be ground down to fit the aka brace opening, but it works. Later I found that a black deck hinge screw (West #158850) worked right out of the package. This hinge screw comes 2 in a package--I will be carrying a couple of them as temporary spares any time I go sailing.

Author:  FloridaRobot [ Wed Sep 26, 2007 3:53 am ]
Post subject:  Everglades

That looks like a great place to take the AI. Were you able to use your sail there? I'm in the Tampa area and if you ever want to meet up down there sometime let me know and I'll bring my AI.

Several years ago I backpacked 40 miles of the everglades through mud and waded water that got as deep as my waist. Very intense backpacking to say the least ... especially in all the mud. But there was a special beauty about the everglades that I loved. We stepped around a lot of water moccasins and once we had a large gator in the water with us only a few feet away.

Sorry to hear about the mechanical problems you experienced.

Author:  Chekika [ Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:04 am ]
Post subject:  Sailing in the Everglades

I sailed out of Flamingo marina into Florida Bay. It is famous to the WaterTribe Everglades Challenge folks for grounding and muck slogs, but I picked a day w/ rising tides during the morning (better fishing & sailing). Some of the flats, even on hi tide are a bit skimpy. I did overstay my time a bit on the way back. At one point, with the tide falling and crossing a shallow flat, the water could not have been more than a foot deep, but the AI sailed through ok (dagger board out, fins up.) No question, I was a bit nervous. I've fished and kayaked in F Bay for about 15 yrs, and learned early that you watch the tides and the flats carefully--or pay the price.

From your description, I wonder if you were hiking around in Big Cypress Swamp just north of the Everglades? I do plan on going back into places like Whitewater Bay, but it is large and open enough, that sailing should not be a problem as long as you keep track of the flats. Of course, we always have the peddles to get us out of some situations (but shallow water is not one of them!). And, in a pinch, the paddle may even come in handy.

I have a couple friends with AIs in the Naples area. Send your email adrs and we'll keep in touch. Mine is kwellma at bellsouth dot net.

Author:  FloridaRobot [ Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:01 am ]
Post subject: 

Yes, it was Big Cypress where we did the backpacking. Other than Everglades City, the areas you mention I know very little about. After reading your post, I did some research and that Flamingo Bay area sounds like an interesting area to kayak/camp. I'll email you later this week.

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