IT'S HERE!!!!!

It's here! 1 2015 Ivory Dune AI. So happy. Thanks Hobie, she's beautiful. Pix later.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Great news!
Looking forward to pics and first impressions.

Yep, got a few at SLH in Vic to, though all pre-sold. More on the way, obviously. Mine was the first one we unpacked, and it was instant love (with all the staff) immediately. Its pretty easy to tell by looking at it that the performance difference on the water will be greater than the manageability difference off the water. No problem car-topping mine at all though.

More I look at the new AI the more I like it. As some of you guys would know, over the years I've done a lot of experiments and modifications in an effort to get around small issues for my usage scenario. I just don't see a need to do it with this model. I am, however, probably going to have to get creative with rod holders. My bullhorn system won't work as well in the new AI, and it's going to be really tricky to mount (thru-bolt style) to hull where I'd want them, and the Ram tough claw mounts did not pass the rod holder test (did pass the camera boom test though). So for now I'll probably just roll with Hobie rod extenders.

Will post some pics and further thoughts after spending a few days on the water this weekend.

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Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au

Good news that we have finally got some downunder!
Any TI's and Revo 16's in that lot?

No TIs or Revo 16s here yet. Next delivery we're betting

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Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au

Making temp cradles tomorrow so I can tow it home, then a serious install session with various bits and pieces.

We moved the hulls around today. Being 5 months without an AI I couldn't notice the extra weight. Maybe I have forgotten the weight of the 2013 model (sold in September 2014) in the manhandling of the boat, however, I still find it reasonably easy to manoeuvre. I now can stow the trolly in the rear scupper holes, fantastic, and I love the rudder tiller extention fixture you get in the manual package.

Can't wait to take it for a sail/fish.

It's going to be a very busy XD for a few days.

XD

I was in the Hunter Hobie Centre today and they received their first AI yesterday. They haven't unpacked it yet so I didn't get to see it. They thought about 6 weeks till full supply.

I better hurry up with my trailer!

Cheers

Brad

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Brad K
Papaya Tandem Island - "Dry Reach"
Lengthened Jet Ski trailer
"Kayaking Bob" Spray Skirts
Trampolines

Glad the response to the AI 2 is strong and favorable. I have one on order from Clews and Strawbridge in Philly, along with a trailer, which they set up for the boat. BUT--does anybody know when cradles for AI 2 will be available?? My dealer doesn't know yet. I'd like to take the boat south a bit in mid April and try it out...

Matt Miller posted on my "Expedition" thread that he was looking into the new cradles progress. I have the AI cradles and am trying to figure how I might get them to work with filler and whatever is necessary (including longitudinal pvc pipes.)

Keith

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"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

"Less is more" Anon

Us Queenslanders might have to wait a while for ours, sorry to here the bad news, hope all goes well Sunstate http://www.sunstatehobie.com.au/the-kawana-fire/

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Every day is an Adventure Island day

Please don't tell me the cradles haven't even been made?

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Every day is an Adventure Island day

Yes it would be great to hear from Matt about this... It's a question for some of us about whether to wait or to try to contrive something in the meantime. I would personally so love to have a trailer with cradles that fit underneath my boat when I pick it up. When I owned a TI, I had to set up the trailer myself.... Was hoping to avoid that, since the dealer has caught on to furnishing them done to fit.

I know it's a job for the company to keep up with innovation and all the things that go with it, and I think they do generally a great job... so this is not a gripe, so much as just a request for helpful information.

Well I've done the front cradles, now just gotta do the rear. I got to work early and Scotty the boss very kindly helped me out. The template is of course the hardest thing to trace out.
I can't believe how long the amas are, they petrude past the main hull. They go 1370mm past the trailer lights, so I will just extend the lights back another 600mm with box steel so I can hang the tail lights.
I was working on every ones boat but mine today, but, I don't mind as it's my job and I love it.

Sorry, I said I'd get some pix up, but, could not manage it today (too many fit outs).

I won't get it in the water until I get the cradles squared away, so that looks like next week unfortunately.

I love the attention to detail of this boat, I assembled the mast and put the sail on, there is a Hobie World Wide embem on the sail base, VERY COOL.

Another big day tomorrow.

So sorry to hear about Sunstate at Kawana, awful, it couldn't have happened at a worse time. I hope the arsonist is caught and Sunstate Kawana gets on it's feet quickly with minimal disturbance and fuss, so Hoggman, Roller and all get their boats.

Cheers, XD.

Don't suppose you have any AIs in stock not ordered?

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Every day is an Adventure Island day