Hobie Cat Forums

I'm getting a fair amount of play in the connection of the V2 knuckle into the front & rear X-bar assembly on my '11 AI. The aka bars snap in tight, are usually easy to remove, and I only occasionally have to give them a twist while pushing the release buttons to disengage them. I was curious, how much play is acceptable and if anyone has been able to tighten up this connection? Or, is some flexibility there a good thing?

I've already done the 3M 5200 & rivet fix on the knuckles, so they're tight.

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Bob
Proud member Kayak Fishing Association of New York
Supporting member NEKF, Supporting member Team Jinx
KW's KFA Team 3

Is it rotational play? That is part of the design.
If it's in/out play then that could be a problem.

It's rotational play. It's not too bad, but noticeable. I'm guessing over time and after more use, it'll loosen up more, making releasing the akas a little tougher.

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Bob
Proud member Kayak Fishing Association of New York
Supporting member NEKF, Supporting member Team Jinx
KW's KFA Team 3

Boat on the trailer, unable to move: I could lift my Aka 4" of play. When I re-did the tube joint with epoxy/rivet, the play was reduced to ~2". Most of it coming from worn pin at the folding joint.

What is your play?

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Paul
DogsLife
2011 Adventure Island (Little Dog)
2010 Tandem Island (Big Dog: "We keep a leg up on the competition")
2001 Wilderness Systems Woodsman Kayak 14.5 (Blue Dog)

http://dogslifeadventures.blogspot.com/

Maybe just me, but I'll always have trouble wrapping my mind around the idea that floppy Amas are a good design.

I agree, but being fairly new to this, I'm not sure how much play is tolerable.
Hope this short video can give a better idea of what I'm talking about and if it's normal. Any comments & input is appreciated.

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Bob
Proud member Kayak Fishing Association of New York
Supporting member NEKF, Supporting member Team Jinx
KW's KFA Team 3

Sailed with a friend today who has the V1 akas, seems there are a lot less play in those compared to the V2's. Although the on the water comparison is not too noticeable, the V2's hang closer to the ground on land. Something to be mindful of as the amas will scrape the ground while transporting.

_________________
Bob
Proud member Kayak Fishing Association of New York
Supporting member NEKF, Supporting member Team Jinx
KW's KFA Team 3

There is no rotational play with the V1 aka.
I've always used a tie down camlock strap when transporting V1 and V2. It goes over the hull and under the ama (at the rear) then back over. When pulled tight it lifts the ama. No more dragging on the ground.
BTW in your video I would have thought that was normal rotational play as designed.

That's what I needed to hear Stringy. I had nothing to compare it to, so I wasn't sure if there was a problem or not.

When I first got the AI, I put a piece of wood across top of the rear hatch to support the akas in a more 'level' position so they wouldn't drag. Worked good, but thought it might put too much pressure on the knuckle joint-X-bar, causing premature wear.

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Bob
Proud member Kayak Fishing Association of New York
Supporting member NEKF, Supporting member Team Jinx
KW's KFA Team 3

It's not much fun dragging your bits on the pavement, while hauling, but what really matters is how much play you experience on the water with the arms locked and extended. Try measuring deflection like that and see if it suits you.

Now imagine the Amas burying, or rocking in the air, or 200lbs out there on the tramps.

Is wobble good then?

And should it be different on each joint?

And how much is too much?

I'm confused. Is V1 the old pinned version (you know, the one that worked) or is it an even more unreliable version of the slip-in akas?

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It is confusing, but V1 is the solid, pinned Aka.

V2 is the flexible, knuckled version. (Uses a plastic clip)

And V3 is the V2 version, after a few months of use.

lol, Sometimes change for the sake of change is not always good! Be nice to have the option of V1 or V2.
OTW, play was not so noticeable, after gluing, re-riviting the knuckle connection, double bungee on the amas & adding a bungee to keep the akas from unexpected release, the ride was very solid, no noise or looseness from the akas!

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Bob
Proud member Kayak Fishing Association of New York
Supporting member NEKF, Supporting member Team Jinx
KW's KFA Team 3

Great! Nice day for those spray skirts.

They make it more enjoyable when the water temps are still in the mid 40's!

_________________
Bob
Proud member Kayak Fishing Association of New York
Supporting member NEKF, Supporting member Team Jinx
KW's KFA Team 3