PeteCress wrote:
I've skimmed the thread once already and maybe I've missed it - but I do not recall any actual-experience reports on deep-water re-mounting an AI-2.
i.e. I heave to, go for a swim, and now I need to get back onboard.
Aids?
Techniques?
Difficulty relative to AI-1?
Bob, is correct that the AI 2 is more like the tandem than the AI when it comes to re-entering after a swim. The AI sits much lower in the water. I never went into deep water off my AI, but I always felt you could climb back on via the stern if necessary, much like a sea kayaker might re-enter their kayak from deep water. Climbing up onto the AI 2 is a much more daunting task.
Bob does make an assumption in his comments: everyone is using tramps. After my recent capsize and after I had my AI 2 righted, I used much the same technique that Bob describes. I got up on the ama and then leveraged myself over onto my haka (built for the AI.) From the haka to the cockpit is easy.
If a person is in the water and does not have either tramps or hakas, getting back into an AI 2 will vary from easy (assuming you are young and athletic) to extremely difficult (assuming you are older and perhaps out of shape. Being overweight will just make it more difficult.) Roger Mann, in his recent "Race to Alaska" adventure, said he was washed off his AI 2 by a large wave. Fortunately, he was tethered to his boat, and he said that he simply climbed back on. No more info than that at this time. He did have hakas.
With my mods above, I have a righting line which might serve as a step to get back on your boat.
To replace the missing handles on the AI 2 (and 2015 TI), I'm simply going to add a Hobie toggle handle amidships, one on both sides of the cockpit--currently, I'm out in the southern Rockies at 9500', so these are just my ideas. A toggle handle for a mid-ship handle would not take up any space and could be accessed from either side of the hull by an adult who was standing on the righting line. I think you could use the toggle handle to pull yourself into the cockpit. Just my long-distance thoughts.
Keith