Hobie Cat Forums

Brett 'Shufoy' Ozanne has a great video (Yakass.net) showing his AI with attached color-matched wave deflector. He mentioned 'Finn' as a source but a web-search does not
show any wave deflectors, just kayaks. I tried a Google search (over 100 matches) for a wave deflector that could be attached to the bow of my AI. I found that quite a few kayak manufacturer/retailers in Australia mention add-on wave deflectors...but after visiting their web-sites, I have yet to find even one which actually shows the deflector and/or cost or part number.
Does anyone know of an American provider (website/actual parts listings, etc.)?

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And if you follow the link to international distributors, you get:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

SPIRIT Paddle Sports USA
P.O.Box 150953
Austin, Texas USA 78715

Email: info@spiritpaddlesportsUSA.com
Website: http://www.spiritpaddlesportsusa.com/

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I received a quick reply from Spirit Paddle (Texas).

They doubt very much that any of their wave deflectors can be modified well
enough to install on an AI bow! They made it sound like it would be easier for me
to design and build my own deflector than to try to adapt one of theirs!

One thing that I have noticed doing a Google search for a wave deflector: more than
one website has a mention of a wave deflector and some even have a picture of a wave deflector. But when I go into their site...there is absolutely no further mention of a deflector.
(Not in a statement nor in any parts list). Weird...I have been browsing since last week
and still have not found an actual listing. Even Spirit Paddle, who emailed me that they
sell wave deflectors, does not have an actual listing for them on their site.

I just got a price from Spirit Paddle Kayaks (Texas) about their wave deflectors (which they have to order from Australia)...
I guess the US to Australian dollar exchange has radically changed!
Spirit quoted me a price of $150US + $20 shipping. I wonder if Brett 'shufoy' Ozanne got
his wave deflector ($20AUS) as a 'closeout' or something. I am not sure that a deflector I would have to spend a couple of weeks trying to modify is worth $170!

I am still waiting to hear from Finnkayak, Australia to see what their price plus shipping will be.

I hope that Matt can ask Hobie to add a wave deflector (plus wave shield) to a future Hobie parts list.

How does drilling mounting holes and these hull modifications affect the Hobie warranty?

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Fair Skies, Max.

Did you notice on the other thread...Matt states that: 'sometime after the snow melts'!

I didn't say where that snow was...



My actual quote was:

This is no simple project. Getting the engineers attention, design, testing, manufacture. Going to be a while.

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Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA

Matt,

I'm sure it will take your engineers time to be satisfied, but it seems to me an in-hull backing made of kevlar or carbon fiber or stainless steel (it might even need to reinforce the bow nose), bolts thru the hull to attach the deflector, and you have it.

When you get an add-on wave deflector, send a pre-market version, and I will be happy to test it with expedition weight and conditions--I know how to dive under waves. I thought Kayaking Bob could do the same, but apparently he doesn't know how to "dive" his AI any more. ChaosDave might be a good tester, and TIDALWAVE when he digs out of the snow and can find a wave.

Keith

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I sail: S FL, Key Largo, Everglades to Cape Romano, Ft Desoto, 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

OK, Captain Keith, come on out here and I'll show you how to "dive" a wave! I just can choose to dive, or not to dive.

Surfing across the wave you're on is far more fun than stopping, by diving into the next one, up to ones armpits! Plus who needs more than one "bath" each day!

I hope to make it out someday with you long term 'yak campers, and then we can go head-to-head. (I might even learn a few things!) I just may not be old enough yet to join! (I'm only a little over 2/3rd your age). I'd pick on you some more, but I was taught to respect my elders!

With utmost respect,

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

KB,

I thought if I played the age card, I might get some respect. Looks like it worked!

Keith

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I sail: S FL, Key Largo, Everglades to Cape Romano, Ft Desoto, 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

Keith, I sincerely hope you didn't think I was trying to be disrespectful with my seamanship remark...I was just trying to point out what Kayak Bob was saying about choosing to dive or not to dive...I respected your opinion before I knew you were a Senior citizen...However, I think your remark to Skymax was a bit out of line...he's entitled to his opinion also...

Ron

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CaptRon
"Anything's gonna happen,
it's gonna happen out there"

Ron,

You know, I have not tried the "angle over the wave"--that is pretty obvious, but I've never felt I had that option--maybe just not looking for it or maybe since our waters are not very deep, the waves are too high frequency. Of course, the lack of rocker in the AI makes it low on maneuverablity. As I say, the wave crests are coming fairly rapidly, and it is not obvious that a particular wave is any different than the rest, except you dive under some. If the waves were larger and you found yourself diving down the backside into the trough and under the wave, then angle across, sure. That is not the case that I am talking about. I guess we need to recognize (and I am as guilty as anyone) that various people around the world sail in different conditions than we do.

Regarding Skymax, when he says in effect "it is not a problem," that is an opinion. But, when he says, to the effect, "if you don't like it, go screw yourself..." I take offense at that. That is not an opinion. I think we are trying to solve problems here. It is obvious that one person's problem, may not be another's problem. If some people find it a problem, either try to make a constructive comment or go about your business. Being the class bully is not appropriate here.

Thanks for your opinion, Ron...

Keith

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I sail: S FL, Key Largo, Everglades to Cape Romano, Ft Desoto, 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

From the heated responses on several threads in this Forum, I think a lot of owners are
going to buy a deflector as soon as Hobie can R&D and get manufacturing going!
A lot are going to buy because they believe that a wave deflector will help their sailing
and others are going to buy just to prove that we are wrong.

I would be more than happy to do it considering i live in one of the windiest places on earth.

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