Hobie Cat Forums

I use the AI in "Adventure" mode from time to time and it's a whole different boat. Much faster pedaling and paddling. OK primary stability, but great secondary stability (IMHO). I haven't flipped it yet but it does take me a few min. to get comfortable after the rock solid platform of the AI.

Since the wind and waves come up quickly here, I prefer the "AI" mode whenever I'm going to be out there for a while, like when fishing. Also trolling while sailing is great fun!

Kayaking Bob

Were you thinking of fishing for Black Marlin, Pirate?

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But seriously Pirate, why don't you take it out in Adventure mode, with no gear on board and try to capsize it (in shallow water). You will find it more difficult than you imagine and it will give you a better idea what it's limitations are.

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The Adventure is used a lot for fishing around here. Here's a local boat that's out all the time, usually offshore:


This is Aloha Dan with a nice catch:


The beauty of the AI is its versatility. In the Adventure mode it is very stable -- and fast:


Fun to play in boat wakes:


Challenging to sail:


But tether your gear anyway!8)

One of the great things about the AI is the versatility. Normally in the morning I leave the boat in the Adventure mode and my wife and I take our boats out for a peddle in the back canals of Naples island. The canals are narrow with low bridges which preclude using the AI set up. After a nice breakfast at a water front restaurant, the breeze has normally come up enough to go to AI mode and sail the rest of the day. It is really nice having 2 boats in one

Took the AI out on Hickam Harbor again, this time by myself. The winds were up a little more around 15kts to start just barely white capping. I was able to get up to 6mph on close haul and close reach. After 30 min or so the winds died down to 10-15, and was getting around 5-5.5mph. It seemed like having a smaller person in the back with a combined weight of 350 caused about 0.5mph in loss of speed, I can't complain at all!

Also, while out I ran into another fellow in a red AI! I was shocked, trying to figure out who that was let me know if you visit there!

Jeremy

Hmm. Must be different here in the Southern hemisphere. White caps just start around 10kts, and are curling at 15kt. You are going to get a hard sail at 15kts and will need to reef the sail. I have a portable anemometer to measure the wind speed. I was out today, did not measure the wind speed, but would guess it was 12kts. Lots of fun.

Geoff.