Howier6
I'm not sure about "improvements" in the '08 because I don't have an older one to compare but I have an '08 A.I.
You mentioned "paddle holder" and a clip to hold the akas back I believe.
The paddle holder on my '08 doesn't work at all because the cups (for lack of a better word) the paddle is supposed to sit on and then be held in place with a bungee are too close to the akas for the paddle to fit between them. I usually rest my paddle on top of my akas when underway and sometimes it gets washed overboard
. Thank GOD for paddle leashes. I haven't found a better place to keep it yet
.
The akas are held close to the hull when in folded position by a bungee as well, no "clips".
I don't know what the fairleads were like on the '07 but I DON'T like the position of the fairlead for the furling sheet as the position on the aka makes it very hard for the cleat to grip the line unless I run it under my foot and pull it downward and this is a P.I.T.B.
If you have questions about other parts or "upgrades" let me know and I'll try to post pics of them.
Brad