Some basic questions before getting in Hobie Island world

Hi to everybody:
I ´ve just discovered Hobie Adventure Islands (AI and TI) and seeing my profile, I think it´s perfect to suit my needs of sea/water/fishing/sailing/fitness and I´m desiring to getting one. Before going moving some hundreds of kilometers to test one of these awesome machines, I would want to ask some questions, to make a better idea of what I can do with one of these, all referred to 2015 versions of both:

Here they are:

- Thinking about AI / TI. I know that TI is more expensive and bigger. Early versions of AI and TI had some big differences in favour of TI (I think it was drier, better performance,etc...) are still differences between them or AI has been improved and is at the same level than TI?

- Very important question: If you pedal/paddle alone a TI, it would be less effective than an AI? Maybe, since it is a larger boat, it cost little bit more to gain initial speed, or little bit more difficult to manoeuvre, but then? Is it TI designed (in weight distribution) for both (solo/two person) or only tandem configuration?

- Imagine that I want to do more complete sport than only pedaling so I want to paddle too, is it possible with the akas/amas deployed? Can be these akas/amas folded in the water to easier paddling?

Thanks, maybe some questions are a little bit silly or basic but I´m wondering to initiate with these kayaks!

I'll give your question a shot...

1. The TI used to out perform the AI and was a drier ride. With the AI2's improvements there is not much difference anymore. It's really down to carrying capacity and weight. Although, the TI might still out perform an AI even given the extra weight because it still has a larger sail.

2. There is great debate as to where to sit when soloing a TI. These boats are very sensitive to weight distribution when sailing but when pedaling there is not much difference between front and rear as far as effort is concerned. Obviously in the TI you get the added bonus of extra horsepower if you have a second person pedaling. I wouldn't say that the TI is a tandem only boat it can be soloed (just did it last weekend).

3. You can paddle with the amas extended as long as you don't have trampolines installed. Trying to paddle with the amas collapsed might prove cumbersome but depending on your height and arm length it might be doable. Yes, the amas can be extended and retracted while on the water. Once you try the mirage drive you will give up paddling, carrying a paddle as a backup only. The mirage drive is a lot more efficient.

Hope this helps!

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

_________________
2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

• Trampolines
• Hobie cover
• Davis Spar Fly
• Kayakbob's Sprayskirts
• Spine Board Hakas

Here's my $0.02...

Caveat - I have no experience with pre-2015 versions and bought a TI a couple months ago.

I think the TI makes a great solo craft. Choose to sit in the front OR the back. Controls are in both places (except the furling line but easily remedied by tying it in a loop with the main). The larger size of the boat is formidable, but for me its only an issue when launching and retrieving on and off the trailer - she's a big girl and that's a lot of weight. The larger sail area makes her very quick and I have no problems pedaling solo - either getting her moving from a stop or when underway - pretty nimble for me. Its really nice to be able to take a passenger when I want to.

As to paddling, my preference is sail, peddle and paddle in that order and I think that suits the boat's design and intent. I can paddle quite effectively from the back seat, but as TI_Tom pointed out, you can't paddle from the front seat with tramps on. Also completely agree with TI_Tom that once you get on to the Mirage Drive, you'll likely not paddle much. As to paddling with Amas in or out - I suppose you can if your height and arm length allow, but if you really want to do a paddling day, I'd remove the amas and akas and voila... tandem kayak.

For me the best thing about the TI is the flexibility -

- take a passenger, or not
- sail, peddle or paddle; your choice
- no wind? Peddle and go out anyway (or get home if stuck out)
- Load up with 600 lbs of people and gear and do an expedition or go light and be on the water in 15min for a quick evening sail after work

In short, every other boat I've had dictated its limitations in how/when/where I could use it. This one does not...

~BoP

The only thing I'll chip in here is that neither the AI nor TI, old or new, is anywhere near a "dry ride." If you don't want to get wet, even soaked, look at a different boat. These are sailing kayaks, riding down low in the water and you'll often be waist deep in the water if you sail in strong winds and/or choppy water.

Tom is absolutely right. Islands do not offer a dry ride in most conditions, but the new AI is at least somewhat drier in most conditions and a lot drier in some conditions. Either way, it's either a fair-weather day or you're getting wet

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

With our TI we always have the tramps on (we have never had the boat out without the tramps in place). I made some pretty nice spray skirts for both the front and back (we seldom use the rear sprays skirts (only in the winter). The boat is suprisingly dry in most conditions, but if you hit a big powerboat wake head on or are out in 2-3 ft chop it can get pretty wet even with the tramps ans sprayskirts.
It's a really fun and versatile boat.
FE

Thanks for your replies guys! My mayor concern was about solo performance so it seems that people buys the TI to get more carrying capacity and the possibility to get another person onboard and do the trip more fun, instead of thinking about going always two persons, so it´s perfect for my plans.

I can´t wait to try one of these, probably after trying it fall in love with and buy one, and then join this community, that seems to be if made up of people that simply loves the sea, just being on it, with a very versatile boat.

It doesn´t mind to me get wet, I prefer feeling more the sea than from a boat.

Thanks!

Hi seabreeze,your choice may depend a bit on your weight as well as that of your partner.I use my TI solo in lighter winds(I weigh 110 )kg. )and tend to use my AI2 2015 in heavier winds.both will carry more than one person easily with tramps-up to 180 kg total for AI2 and up to 272 kg for TI.We have tested these limits and find them to be quite accurate.If you exceed them you tend to get water leaking in through your steering line holes-no big deal,but can become an issue on longer trips.I prefer the new AI2 over the old model AI.The new boat is much drier.It is also much faster than the old one.The only down side is the weight of the new boat does make it harder to move around on land.That is what you need to consider in your choice also.The TI weighs quite a bit more than the AI2.When you are on your own,this makes the AI2 much easier to handle.Mind you,if you have a good beach trolley,you can probably overcome this.Depends alot on your size,strength and fitness.( as Meatloaf sang, 2 out of 3 ain't bad!)If price is a factor,I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the performance of the AI2.I tend to sail in fairly rough conditions ,so others may disagree,but I find the boat's are very similar to sail.The sail may be smaller than the TI,but seems to be a bit more efficient for it's size.Either way,and whichever one you choose,they are both great boats ,I am sure you will love your Islander as much as we love both of ours.

Thanks Viking. I'm in dude now again
I think I have to see both of them in real instead of youtube videos, think and study... My wheight is around 75 kg and my partner is far less, but I think I like the possibility of carrying lot of stuff and have more working area on water with tramos extended ( i have se en TI3 project, very cool system that extends akas and I'm impressed). I'm interested indo doing trips, fishing, maybe some diving..

Anyway, you mentioned that you use TI in light winds and Al in harder winds when solo, is there any reason? (More fun,more easy to sail...)

Thank you very much!

Only because the TI has the bigger sail.I come from a sailing background,so that is my excuse for bigger sail being better in light conditions.But as I said earlier,the actual difference in performance is really not that much ,probably because of my weight.Sailing is alot about power to weight ratio.I also have a Hobie Wave,and never use it without a jib,once again,my weight is a big factor.I am pleased that the Islands both perform pretty well without a jib.Because I launch from a beach into the wind and surf,the furling main is really the only way to go for me.Happy sailing!

re paddling works well as a canoe with just the center hull, no arma or aka