Hobie Cat Forums

I'll be receiving my new tandem island in about a week. From where I live I have to go through about a mile of very tight and low mangrove tunnel to get to open water. So I'll have to pedal this distance with the amas retracted and the mast down. Is it difficult to carry the mast with the amas in? Any suggestions on the best way to secure it? Hopefully it's as simple as a couple of bungies to the retracted bars.

We frequently launch at Oleta River State Park, at the north end of Biscayne Bay -- don't have such a long passage to make, but do have to go under overhanging mangroves in a narrow passage with a lot of traditional kayak traffic, so we step the mast after emerging into the bay.

The mast will lie nicely on the folded akas. A bungie or two is all you'll need.

I keep 2 ball bungees on my right aka, one forward and one aft, just for that purpose. I don't have height problems here, but have bungee'd the mast down at times for launches or landings in larger surf, and once when the mast cup bolt broke while sailing. Works well and enough out of the way, though easier to prepare your lines on land, so they're ready to go.

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

Unless it is too narrow, you will want to fold the amas out. They tuck in under the hull in a way that creates a huge amount of drag. With them out, drag is minimal. Unless they hit a root.