AI2 vs TI

One of these days I need to accept that my wife will never sail with me as much as she says she will

We just bought a TI a few months back, since then she has been out in it three times and keeps telling me she is waiting for it to warm up. I know her idea of a good day... light winds, clear skies and HOT. pretty much my worst kind of day!!

This got me thinking that I might be better suited to an AI2 (with tramps for when she may want to go).

Would love to hear thoughts of those with both or who went from an TI to an AI2

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2015 Outback- dune with sail kit
2015 TI- dune- sold
2015 AI2- Hibiscus- should probably sell...
2018 AI2- Dune

If you already have the TI, I see no real advantage in swapping it for an AI. Assuming you trailer it, it's no more difficult to launch, sail and recover. It's as fast or faster, has as much or more room, and does give you the option for a second seated passenger if one should pop up.

the main reason would be a little less weight to haul around on land and all of the controls being more oriented around me. I sail in really shallow water and getting to the centerboard when I hit an oyster bar is close to impossible, would also be nice to have access to the furling cleat (plan to add one to the back of the TI if I keep it so I guess this shouldn't be a reason). Most importantly, I don't like how the TI slams waves when I'm in the back seat or I lose rudder authority in big seas from the front seat.

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2015 Outback- dune with sail kit
2015 TI- dune- sold
2015 AI2- Hibiscus- should probably sell...
2018 AI2- Dune

I have both an AI 2 and 2014 TI. The TI is a nice boat when you have a 2nd person on board. Camping with 2 people, the TI is great. If you only have a single person, it is a large boat to handle, especially on land. You can always carry a 2nd person on an AI 2 with tramps, or better in my opinion, using hakas.

At my age, using the TI as a solo camping boat is out of the question.

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

I also have both AI2 & TI, and an earlier AI.

I like my TI. Fun to take someone new sailing. But, I LOVE sailing my 2015 AI. The boat is so well balanced, I can hit speeds for minutes at a time that I could only hit for seconds on my old AI. The TI is fun, but the AI2 is a blast!

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

Well, there you have it Hawk. You won't miss her at all.

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The Wind Is Your Friend...

the boat, the wife or both?!?!?!

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2015 Outback- dune with sail kit
2015 TI- dune- sold
2015 AI2- Hibiscus- should probably sell...
2018 AI2- Dune

I think that you had posted before that you had thoughts of an EC (So do I) in your future.
I also went with a TI so that my wife and or kids could join me. My wife is also waiting for warmer weather. So based on thoughts of an EC or ultra-type race\event I can see where weight and heft of the boat come in to play if you are doing the event solo.

Has anyone tried adding 40-60 or so pounds of water ballast in the nose? I was thinking about using a 5 gallon water bag in hatch and pushed forward with something (the big pool noodles?) when I am out solo. That way the new wave piercing bow can do its job instead of smacking the hull on tops of the waves. In one of my sea kayaks I am faster with a little weight in the forward hatch. Of course that doesnt make the boat any lighter.

I sail the Ti solo 40% of the time, I use a soft cooler with drinks and 15lbs of ice to balance the boat

I have had trouble with the dagger board as well, I was thinking of installing my Hobie hiking stick to operate the board so I don't have to leave the rear seat

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Terry
Lower Colorado Basin, also Known to sail Tahoe,San Diego, Newport Beach, Dana Point

Hi Hawk, I have owned the older AI and TI and now I own a new AI and TI. I got the AI first and loved it. Very easy to sail and much faster than the old ones. Have pushed it to the limits and it handles everything you can through at it. As I run the Island Club here I thought I should get the new TI as well so i could help those with them.

The first 3 sails I called it PIG as it was such a big difference to the TI. But now it's called Beasty and it is a beast of a thing. It's faster than the AI and I can take passengers put for a sail where I could not do that on the AI, even with the tramps.

I haven't even gone back and sailed the AI for a couple of months now, I simply enjoy the bigger boat. It's more of a challenge to sail but when you get it right it sails much faster. Love it.

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Sth East Qld Hobie Island Club Captain.
https://www.seqic.com.au

thanks for the thoughts everyone. I went out again yesterday, this time fishing, and really enjoyed having the front seat area to pile everything up. I think I will hold off for a bit on trading out. I may see about somehow weighing down the bow to help with the pounding on waves.

maybe I need to try to find someone with an AI2 and swap rides for a day...

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2015 Outback- dune with sail kit
2015 TI- dune- sold
2015 AI2- Hibiscus- should probably sell...
2018 AI2- Dune

I think your weight and your companion's weight should be a big factor in your decision. Two big people, with one on the tramp might be too much for the AI2. With the TI, you can sail with two big people in the boat and a third small person on the tramp. Plus, whoever is on the tramp has to obviously move to the other tramp on a tack, so, your companion might not like that. Also, I used to sit in the rear of the TI, but, since I bought the Spinnaker, when I sail the TI alone or with a companion, I now sit in the front. It is too difficult to control the main sail and spinnaker from the rear. I actually like the front better now..

Spook, other than the great new seats, what is better on your new TI compared to your old?

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

Ummm good question Bob, not a great deal, the hulls have not had the major shape changes the Adventure got, did I mention the seats. Honestly there is little difference between the old and the new. I was able to buy a 2012 TI very cheap and make a good profit on it which gave me the funs to buy the new model.

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Sth East Qld Hobie Island Club Captain.
https://www.seqic.com.au

That was my take too. But I keep looking at them...

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006