Hobie Cat Forums

I am surprised that the covers come with as much adjustment as they do if they are not for use with a trailer. One could presumably adjust out all the slack which indeed makes it fine for trailering. I understand the need to CYA and say that they arent for the road but the cover would be fine to use on the road providing it was used properly. However, used improperly it could make a fine parachute and drag your kayak right off your transportation.

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2011 TI

The ultimate sea anchor! Ouch....pop the chute!

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It's a good Life, Let's sail!

iHop

Dune TI - 6/4/2011
Camas, WA

I'll take Matt's word for it that the cover was never designed for highway transport.
It stands to reason that even if you cinch up all the buckles that are available on this well built cover, a passing 18 wheeler could find a weak spot on the cover and possibly rip the entire cover off your rig and send it flying into the vehicle behind you....
I use this cover to simply ensure that the Sun's UV rays stay off the boat and plastic fittings and running lines in outdoor storage and protect my investment as long as possible.
(Considering that the 'Red Flag' at the stern of the cover is now pink after only 2 months of outdoor summer storage, it is money well spent (for it's intended use)
Regards
Fred

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Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

Folks
I did not intend to sound melodramatic, yet after hauling boats for a dealer in Alberta, Canada (in the 70's for over a year), delivering anything from Dinghies to 28 foot power and sail cruisers over Western Canada and the US North West, I've learned the hard way to always look at any limitations posted by the builder of trailers and support gear.
Yes the cover for the AIs are huge in relation to the dimensions of the hull. Yet this storage cover can handle the hull, two amas stacked on top of the crossbar. That also means they are 'baggy' to cover the entire craft and could get loose in a number of ways.
And yes, I have seen a speeding 18 wheeler passing a low slung vehicle (a Mustang) towing a boat and the truck's turbulence ripped the cover off the towed 19 foot powerboat and left it flying in the wind.
Lucky for the following driver, she swerved just in time to miss the cover about to wrap itself around her windshield. (yes it could have been bad tie downs, lack of experience or a number of other issues I can't prove) I was driving behing the swerving woman). Yet most Builders have usually read the Short Book of Murphy's Law...
It could just be CYA or a simple human concern that may go as far as testing their products in a windtunnel (and/or their future in business)...
Regards
Trinomite

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Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

I intend to use the cover for storage. My TI sits in covered stall, however is partly exposed. Using a cheap tarp from the hardware store but thought the TI cover would be better.

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

Hey TX
I got the cover up here for $150 bucks. Money well spent considering it seems to take little time for the petrochems to come apart at the seams thanks to `Solar Power`
Fred

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Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

I also use my TI cover when doing a long distance transport. The cover comes with two sewn-in-place nylon transverse straps. But the cover also has an additional six nylon anchor strap-points on each side. I bought six one-inch wide nylon straps which go over the top of the cover and around the bottom of the hull. The cover also comes with four longitudinal adjustment straps which also help bring the somewhat baggy cover into fitting the hull better.
On a long-distance transport, I place thin rubber foam pads on the top of the bow and on each aka knuckle (beneath the cover) to help keep down any abrasion.
So far I have had no wear and tear even at Freeway speeds and strong head-side winds. Further, I would rather have road debris bounce off the replaceable cover than chip my TI. With summer road construction...more than once I had to drive on loose sand/gravel. I could hear impacts on the cover...and found no chipping when removed. I don't think I could have said the same if the hull had been exposed! Cheaper to buy a new cover than repair/replace the TI hulls.

TidalWave,

That's an encouraging report. Do you have the new rudder?

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It's a good Life, Let's sail!

iHop

Dune TI - 6/4/2011
Camas, WA

I just received my new rudder (Mahalo Hobie) and have yet to torture test it.

I am noticing that if you car top your Hobie, you really need to think ahead about loading, flipping and transporting the hull with the large rudder pinned in place.

In the up position it's near the trunk lid and rear glass. In the down position it will not clear my garage roof!

Also, as Matt mentioned, the rudder blade will swing to the side (starboard for me, when car topped-upside down). I discovered that I was unable to straighten or turn the rudder to the opposite side because the new higher steering knob contacts the roof of the car in these positions.

If you feel that the rudder is resisting on one side, don't force it. You may be scratching up your roof paint.

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"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."
- Ayn Rand

Cover not intended for car topping or on a trailer?
Then why does the bag become a red safety flag which is required for over-sized/overhanging loads on the road?
What next a tarp that can made into a tent but is not intended for use as shelter.
How about this, the manufacturer is not liable if the cover is not properly secured either parked or underway.

Edit: Received the new rudder in the mail. Thanks! Wow it is heavy. Too bad the receiving YAK is now between 2,000 to 3,000 plus miles away.

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