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The rare Dune AI
http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=12256		 Page 1 of 5
Author:  Drew [ Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:21 pm ]
Post subject:  The rare Dune AI
Nate built this at the shop yesterday - it's beautiful! We'll put it in the water this weekend if the wind keeps up.

Image
Author:  chrisj [ Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The rare Dune AI
I think I'm in love.
Author:  arno [ Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The rare Dune AI
I am as well, so much that I ordered one ;)
Sould be coming in in a fortnight now. :mrgreen:
The thing is it is costing me an arm and a leg :cry:
Author:  scuzzlebutt [ Fri Apr 17, 2009 7:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The rare Dune AI
This looks way cooler than the old standard red/yellow.
Author:  arno [ Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The rare Dune AI
I believe the white / dune AI have been around for some time too. It's just that you have to order a Dune adventure + a matching sail kit. It's not available straight away as a white / dune Hobie AI.
That's what I've been told by our local dealer.
Author:  Pirate [ Fri Apr 17, 2009 2:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The rare Dune AI
The dune looks fresh and should be better in relation to fade and possibly UV protection? What is the price for your AI in France Arno?....Pirate
Author:  arno [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The rare Dune AI
4250 euros is the price for the AI without accessories.
My current kayak is a Midway (Dag sit on top) of exactly the same color (white with some darker 'particles') and after three years of regular exposure under our strong Mediterranean sun), it's still as new. So I too hope the Dune AI will fare well. Fingers crossed :mrgreen:
Author:  stringy [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 2:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The rare Dune AI
Now that is a great choice of colour Arno! 8)
I had seen one before which was an Adventure that was upgraded. I didn't realise it could be ordered from new. I assume your dealer is installing the kit? Is that the same price that the stock red/yellow AI's sell for over there? That converts to about AU $7700 -OUCH! :shock:
Here an AI is about AU$4000 but to upgrade an Adventure the total cost is around AU$5000.
Author:  chrisj [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 2:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The rare Dune AI
I don't know why Hobie doesn't provide the Dune AI new. In these difficult economic times, it might just be that bit of extra bling which induces someone to take the plunge (like Arno).
Author:  arno [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The rare Dune AI
It is only a little more costly (about a hundred and fifty euros).
To be honest, I intended to order a yellow or red one anyway, but was proposed a Dune one this way by the dealer himself (for which I'm very grateful, and to be fair he knows the products fairly well and is very helpful, apart from a financial point a view :!: ).
In fact shortly after subscribing to this forum, I got in touch with another dealer that ordered an AI for me to try and buy if I liked it. Which I did after a trial session of almost 2 hours. The thing is that the deal wasn't done because this was a 2008 model, while I had made it very clear from our first contact that I wanted a 2009 one.
Author:  chrisj [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 12:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The rare Dune AI
Since the dealer will presumably be doing the upgrade from a kayak to a trimaran, it might be worth ensuring that he will be upgrading it to 2009 specifications.
Author:  arno [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 5:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The rare Dune AI
Are there any 2009 changes in the sailing kit itself ?
Don't all the changes of the 2009 AI model rely in the hull ?
I'm talking about Mirage drive click'n go, hull reinforcement in the drive well, Mirage drive V2.
:shock:
Thanks in advance for all pointers...
Author:  Upyaboya [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 1:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The rare Dune AI
Yes, maybe I missed it somewhere, but what are the changes to the 2009 model v the 2008 A1. Thanks.
Author:  arno [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 3:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The rare Dune AI
From what I gathered on this forum :
- new version of the Mirage drive (see Roadrunner extensive post on that in last September, that shows very well brass inserts in the sprocket (that is where the drive mast is attached at the top end of the fins)
- new seating of the drive itself in the hull (click n' go system that goes with stronger fitting to the hull : you no longer have rotating cams but a clever lever and spring mechanism)

And that's all as far as I know (but it really counts to my eyes, as I intend to put some consistant stress on the drive well zone with Turbo fins, being a long-time keen cyclist of 90kg :roll: )
To me, again, no change whatsoever on the parts that make the Island sail kit (akas, amas, mast, sail, sailing rudder etc)

Please do correct me if I'm wrong.

Edit : oh and yes Chrisj, I made sure that the dealer will take care of the upgrade.
Author:  stringy [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 3:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The rare Dune AI
As far as I'm aware the 09 changes are all in the hull. Click'n'go drivewell and brass insert sprockets on drive are the main changes. The forward internal blocks for rudder up/down have been changed from stainless to plastic as well.
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