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| AI Two Person? http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=10850 |
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| Author: | JetJester [ Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | AI Two Person? |
Hi, I'm looking to buy an AI for several reasons. I have a young family and want to show them the joys of being out on the water which is the primary reason. I was up at Lake Tahoe in July this year where I fell in love with the idea of owning an AI. I chatted with a guy that had just come off the water. He had modified his craft by installing a second seat in the cargo area for his 8yr old son. It looked very professional and seeing the total pay load of the AI is over 300lbs am assuming its safe. Has anyone else made this type of modification? Thanks. |
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| Author: | JetJester [ Mon Sep 29, 2008 9:55 am ] |
| Post subject: | Any advice? |
OK so it looks like the guy at Tahoe is the only one who has made this type of modification. Does anyone have any advice or opinions about this? is it safe, is there enough room for two etc. (1+1/2) Thanks for your help. |
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| Author: | donjoe [ Mon Sep 29, 2008 11:13 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
I take my 11 year old daughter with me on the AI quite a bit. I did not modify the boat in any way but simply use a "mountain chair" from EMS. It is less expensive than a kayak seat and has other uses when not being used on the AI. When not in use, it can be easily stored in the hatch. She says it's quite comfortable! Here is the link to view it: http://www.ems.com/catalog/subcategory_ ... 4302875663 |
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| Author: | stringy [ Tue Sep 30, 2008 4:43 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
G'Day Jetjester, You'll find a discussion on this here: http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=7809 I set up a seat for my wife from our tandem attached to the rear crossbar and facing backwards as in the above post. It worked OK with little difference in sailing ability although were sitting low in the water and it was a very wet ride! A summer only activity. 
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| Author: | JetJester [ Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:38 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
Thanks both for your help. Decision made! I'm going to buy an AI. I now have enough evidence to prove to my wife that we need this craft and can justify the spend as it not necessarily a single person machine.
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| Author: | kepra [ Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Jet J checkout ..magnum21s windrider bayback boatworks... after you view those web sites post your thoughts |
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| Author: | donjoe [ Thu Oct 02, 2008 5:26 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
??, is that a link to a particular site? |
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| Author: | JetJester [ Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
Kepra, I'm not sure what I'm looking for. I have done all sorts of google searches but to no avail. Can you please be a little more specific. Thanks. |
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| Author: | donjoe [ Thu Oct 02, 2008 2:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
I get it, I think kepra meant magnum 21, windrider, and bayback boatworks. I havent seen the magnum 21 before, its a pretty neat boat. I still vote for the AI for versatility, price and simplicity. I also heard that customer service for windrider isnt all that great. We definately can sat Hobie is top notch in that respect.....it's evident in the posts on this forum. |
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| Author: | JetJester [ Fri Oct 03, 2008 9:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
OK so now I get it. I've taken a look at all of the crafts that you mention. All look pretty cool but I don't think suite my needs. Without going into my personal situation in too much detail. I have a young family ( 5yrs + 1 month) which means whole days on the water are going to be few and far between. Its more likely that I'll be doing half days. So time between arriving and sailing/paddling has to be low. I'm also interested in being able to paddle or sail. I live in the SF bay area and boat storage at my modest property is going to be an issue. A trailer is defiantly out of the question. All of this leads me to believe the AI is the craft that suits my needs. Does that make sense? |
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| Author: | stringy [ Sat Oct 04, 2008 3:40 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
It makes sense Jetjester. One last thought- have you considered the tandems? I have an AI and an Oasis. The AI is probably my favourite but if I could only have one kayak it would be the Oasis. With a family to consider, the tandems are more versatile IMHO and easier to store and transport. Check out some of the latest posts from Skua, Tracker and Kepnutz on the Sailing forum before making a final decision.
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| Author: | JetJester [ Sat Oct 04, 2008 8:45 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
Oh and there was I thinking life was so simple! Now I'm really in a tail spin. The tandem shown in Skua's post looks great but, and I hope I'm going to offend anyone, the tandem setup doesn't look like its going to sail as well and to me not as cool as an AI.....sorry. Has Hobie ever given a hint that a tandem AI is a possibility.......even a remote one? That way I could get an AI and trade up when my son gets to be too big. Thanks again for all of your help. |
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| Author: | skua [ Sun Oct 05, 2008 3:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
You are right, JetJester, the is AI much faster and looks even cooler than my oasis (well, just a tiny little bit )
The oasis is incredibly versatile though. I often use it alone, but sometimes also with one, two or even three kids or just as a tandem... Of course this means sailing, pedaling and / or paddling, swimming; the kids also like to "canoe" it. Advantages of he oasis that were important in my choice are that I also like to go out with my wife or a friend, I wanted to be able to go with both my kids, it is quite a bit cheaper, and in my situation it is easier to get to the lake than an AI would. But if you like fast sailing first, are in love with an AI, and with kids that small (probably not many occasions to go together with your wife, or you go with only one kid) an AI can be an excellent choice. It is a great solo yak as well. I believe a tandem often will be a great addition to the family fleet though. |
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| Author: | jcolman [ Tue Dec 23, 2008 9:44 am ] |
| Post subject: | how about 3 people in an AI |
Last weekend I took my wife and daugter out in my AI. Wife in the back cargo with a universal kayak seat back to back with me and my 2.5 year old dauter (with a PFD on of course) on my lap. light winds it was great. my wife said she was comfortable. We are rather small me 145 my wife 115 duater 28 pounds. I would not do it with my dauter on my lap in real stron winds but on a nice 10 knot day around kailua beach oahu it was more than great being out there with the family. |
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| Author: | k-bay cruiser [ Tue Dec 23, 2008 1:00 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
A couple times I have just strapped another kayak (Scrambler XL) along the side of the AI, under the akas. I attached the front and rear handles to points on the AI and kept them somewhat tight, but with enough play for chop, etc. This works pretty well, and keeps the extra person along side, for better conversations. One can't turn sharp, or point high into the wind. And you do need at least a modest amount of wind. The only time it was less than comfortable was on a near reach with the extra kayak to leeward. The passenger got a lot of spray shooting up between the hulls (mostly coming off the bow of the AI). Possibly some type of spray shield stretched between the two hulls would help. On a casual sailing day, or long legs (mine are about 4 miles in each direction) it really works well. One kayak on each side of the AI might even work better. One note of warning, keep your hands out from between the hulls, or they will get smashed. |
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