Hobie Cat Forums

I'm curious to know if anyone has attempted to increase the floatation (weight carrying capability) of the AI. I've found a number of different aftermarket products to add floatation to kayaks (bow air bags) but I was thinking of adding styrofoam packing peanuts to the amas. Anyone tried any devices or products to add floatation and if so how effective were they in increasing weight carrying capacity? Thanks for any info.

Hulls float because of volume displacement - adding something inside does nothing to add flotation - if anything it makes it less buoyant.

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Jacques Bernier
http://www.hobiecat.com/
http://www.facebook.com/HobieCatCompany

Nothing is lighter than air. Styrofoam, although light, and buoyant, actually adds weight, (although, very little) and in some cases can hold water over time. An empty boat is the most buoyant boat. I suppose you could add helium or something exotic to the air bags How cool would that be! But in the end, the best thing to do is to keep the boat empty, and allow the design to work for you.

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If however, he is talking about the weight-carrying capacity of a >flooded< AI, then displacing water inside the hull with foam, airbags etc starts to make sense. Theoretically, if you filled the entire insides of an AI with (say) inflated used wine cask bladders, the load carrying capability of the AI would be close to an unflooded one. Your liver might not be so lucky though LOL

Wyoyaki, please explain your concerns and application for more floatation.

Added carrying capacity or emergency floatation?

If it's capacity, this is the only mod that is known to add displacement and stability to the AI. http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=33992&start=0&hilit=hapa

If it's safety as in a flooded hull, then all you need is a couple floatation airbags in the hull.

Eat less for a few months....

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Amen to that, Brother.