Hobie Cat Forums

I would have taken bets that the red would have better visibility out on the water. But, surprisingly every time, the yellow is always the first to be spotted as we are coming in from far off shore.

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http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

A study done in NY state has shown that people react faster to "yellow" tail lights than "red" tail lights. "Yellow" is in the middle of the visible spectrum where eye sesitivity is strongest. The practical test on water is to have a yellow and red kayak at a distance where you can barely see them--you see the yellow one much more easily. Forget about seeing a blue kayak at distance. Ten percent of the male population cannot see red--and probably a bunch more that can only see red to varying degrees.

In my paddling group, yellow is preferred over red by about 4-5 to 1, and it is for safety.

Keith

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I sail: S FL, Key Largo, Everglades, 10,000 Islands, Cape Romano, Cedar Key

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

Bump.

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Dune from the survey is the current colour of choice and should be seriously considered for includion on the AI list. Yellow is known to be better than red for fade resistance which is one consideration for owners to consider but Ferrari and Ducati have both singled out red as colour of choice so why not Hobie. In relation to safety on the water neither colour stands out at a distance when the hull is in the water. A dark colour such as black in a flag is so much easier to see at a distance over water so I might believe that a red would be at least as good as yellow in that department....Pirate

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Master of the galleon 'Pirates Lot'

Pirate, I always thought the red would be best seen, but when in a group of Red & Yellow AI's coming into shore from far out, the Yellow ones are always the first to be seen, even if the red (by shear luck ) is in the lead. This from different people at different times, but always the yellow. I'm hoping for a mythical AI-2 in white soon for myself.

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http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

Bob, which part of the boat comes into view first? The sail on the Papaya AI is more blue and white than yellow.

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Ground support (my Wife) says "it's probably the yellow in the sail, it seems to glow with the sun on it." Most likely as we were sailing in to a beach or landing, that not a lot of the sail or hull was facing her, as we were sailing into her direction with the wind off to our left. Most times, she had others with her, looking for us to, so it wasn't just her.

Here's an example, see the 3 yellow AI's:



Now, did you also see the red one on the far left? It's sail was fully rolled, but probably didn't matter.

The red boat was mine too, so I'm not prejudice.

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http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

Well that's pretty compelling evidence. I imagine the Dune would stand out well too, though more in the blue waters of the Pacific than, say, the North Atlantic, where both the sky and the sea are more grey. I suppose it could be difficult to make out if there were a lot of white caps on the water too.

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mmm..it's pretty hard developing a valid hypothesis when you guys just shoot it down by very inconveniently introducing COMPELLING EVIDENCE. Seems yellow is a much better colour from the perspective of being seen.......Pirate ....

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Master of the galleon 'Pirates Lot'

That's ok Pirate. You're still so much faster in your red!

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http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

Hi Bob. For me having red as a AI colour causes the same warm feelings that major cranking a monohull over in wind does . It may not actually be a faster way to sail but it sure feels like it is....Pirate

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Master of the galleon 'Pirates Lot'

cowsgomoo,

Nice photoshop job, Blue was my vote!

Although something in a "Tacticool" Midnight Black might be an interesting color...

Today I saw an interesting "Rescue Orange", '08 Mirage Revolution, Fish model I'll probibly buy.

I was quite suprised by this seemingly unique color that is not shown under the Hobie Revolution web page as an available option? I wish I had taken a pic of it...

I should take delivery in a few days.

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Regards,
SedonaAI

'08 Revolution (SOLD!)
'07 Adventure Island
'07 Adventure Island

Psalm 107:23, 24 (KJV)
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.

Perhaps this is the color? (originally posted by hoth2o here) viewtopic.php?f=26&t=12765



This color was available on most models for a few years (including the Adventure). The Pro Angler shown appears to be a limited production.

RR, A lot like that! But more like this one taken in my back yard this morning!!




I think I'll name her Tangerine Dream...

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Regards,
SedonaAI

'08 Revolution (SOLD!)
'07 Adventure Island
'07 Adventure Island

Psalm 107:23, 24 (KJV)
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.

Congratulations Sedona. That really IS a beautiful colour I would go for myself. Can someone tell me if kayak fishos prefer some colours invisible to fish from below?...Pirate

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Master of the galleon 'Pirates Lot'