Hobie Cat Forums

I'm having lots of fun with my new TI! So, easy and versatile... and fun!

However, I am still trying to find the best position (and strap-down points) while on the trailer (Trailex). If I move it too far forward, I get a slight dent in the hulls bottom near the front cradle. If I move it farther back, then it seems more solid (near the reinforcement from the MirageDrive well), but then I've got about 5'-6' hanging off the rear cradle... Also, should I strap down just the hulls or the akas too? Any advice?
Thanks... and let me know of any IslandClubs in the Channel Islands/Ventura area.
Take care.

I tie mine down by looping the strap through one side of the trailer's tie-down, placing the straps on each side of the TI (or AI) aka xbar and looping the other end through the other side tie-down and connecting together. Doing that to both front and rear makes sure if anything loosens up, the boat cannot move much because the straps capture both sides of the aka xbar.

Proper balance on the trailer and placing the strong points of the hull under the cradles WILL cause a lot of the boat to be off the back end of the trailer.

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

I didn't like my TI stern sticking out 4-5 ft from the rear of the trailer. I bought a length of channel steel to replace the trailer tongue. I moved the cradles forward and put a couple of large rubber rollers on the front and rear of the trailer. The rollers just touch the keel without pushing up on the hull. If I hit a large bump in the road...the rollers provide enough support to keep the hull ends from flexing downward.

Like this

Note the rear roller

Thank you for the info. AND photos... very helpful!

My AI trailer is a 4X3' box trailer with a long drawbar and the top taken off, I cut some blue insulation foam, shaped and covered with carpet with a length of wood screwed through to the floorboard down each side. A strap front and back all the way round the trailer and hull (where the bars cross the hull) and two more straps holding the floats in with the front tied as well so no pressure on any unsupported hull.

Although I car top on a frame I hoist into the garage ceiling, the problems are similar. I have found that placing the front support under the mast step spreads the load. It is easily found by the white filler over the through bolt.
Here's my car top:

That shot reminds me of my dentist. He had a tiny Fist 500, and as he needed to transport his racing bike, he fitted inside with him, but a lot of it was sticking out through the sunroof.

At a traffic light, a truckie suggested that he might instead ride the bike and strap the car on his back!

The i30 is a little larger than the Fiat 500 I owned. Moves this rig at 100 kph up inclines. Great way to explore Australian waterways