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AI Trailer Cradles
http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=43567
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Author:  bassetm1 [ Thu Jul 26, 2012 10:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: AI Trailer Cradles

Just be carefull when spacing the centre support. When I did mine it opened the cradle up so that it only touched the centre part of the hull and not the outside edges. I put thick foam in the soak up this gap.

Author:  okz00k [ Sun Feb 17, 2013 5:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: AI Trailer Cradles

Since I relocated my AI from Rose Bay Sailing Club to my home in 2010, It's hardly been out. Two issues:

1. It's a major effort getting the AI on and off the roof rack, and
2. The AI doesn't easily accommodate 2 people - hence the Oasis has been our first preference.

The first issues, however, is now resolved - I've built an EasyTrailer and mounted Hobie's AI cradles on it. A very satisfactory, and relatively low cost solution.

This is how it ended up:
Image

One concern, for which I didn't have a clear prescription, was where to place the cradles. After scouring the Hobie forum, I came up with the following guidelines:

Front Cradle: immediately in front of the Mirage drive well; and
Rear Cradle: under the rear ama mounts.

To confirm the best position for the front cradle, I rolled the boat over and found the position where it best matched the hull shape. This verified the recommendation from the Hobie forum. I then mounted a galvanized perlin for the front cradle on the trailer. The position was very convenient, directly behind the trailer frame joining brace.
Image

Next mounted the rear cradle on the perlin which was to mount it to the trailer. With Hemmi's help, we loaded the boat with akas and amas installed using the rear roller which was supplied with the trailer. Then, while I held the rear of the boat up, Hemmi moved the rear cradle on its perlin between the boat and trailer and moved it back and forwards until we had the best fit. The pics show where it ended up - 50mm from the rear bumper of the trailer.
Image

Author:  tsquared [ Sun Feb 17, 2013 11:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: AI Trailer Cradles

Thanks for your post re the trailers 0kz. I am in the market for a trailer for my AI for similar reasons--i know I would use it more if it was loaded and ready to go. A local kayak shop is going to be offering a custom built trailer in a month or so. I think I will wait until I see it and what the price will be before I make any moves. You obviously took the time and did it right--good job!
T2

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