Hobie Cat Forums

Thanks for all the great comments. Now I know I want one but I too have a wife who has done a lot of canvas work in the past which means we'll probably make them ourselves.

Bob,
I'm thinking about using a length of Flex-a-Rail attached to the hull and awning rope sewn on the skirt to prevent water from getting between the hull and sprayskirt. Go to http://www.sailrite.com/Flex-A-Rail-White-45 to see what it looks like.

I haven't decided yet because it would mean putting about 6 holes in each side of my hull and I don't know if it would be worth it. What do you think?

_________________
Jerry D.
St. Johns, Florida
2010 TI
2008 AI

I'm not keen either at putting a lot of extra holes in the hull. Very little water comes in between the hull and the skirts. If you were considering other materials, besides the shadecloth to make them out of, be aware that it can change of the boat handles in higher winds. Even the other design I tried had too much wind resistance just using the extra shadecloth up front.

Also, keep in mind if anything is to fail when hitting or catching on something, it should be some light line or a wire-tie, and not the hull or aka.

_________________

http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

Bob,

I don't like putting a bunch of holes in my boat either which is why I haven't ordered any parts yet. I think I'll follow your design because I can always add the Flex-a-Rail option later if I feel I need it.

My plan is to use trampoline material because I also want to build a set of tramps and thought it would be easier to order all the material at once.

_________________
Jerry D.
St. Johns, Florida
2010 TI
2008 AI

As long as the tramp material breaths (better than the AI/TI Tramp material) it should be fine. Will cost more, and you still probably can't put much more weight on it because of the strength of the mount points, but should look nice with the matching material. Post pic's when you're done, should look slick.

_________________

http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

Ok Bob,

I guess now I'm commited or should be.

_________________
Jerry D.
St. Johns, Florida
2010 TI
2008 AI

Bob,

We just ordered the material to make the spray skirts and trampolines. We are going to make the two set of skirts on for the AI & one for the TI but only one set of trampolines that will be designed to work on either boat.

We will build everything out of black trampoline fabric.

Wish us luck. I'll post pictures when they're finished.

_________________
Jerry D.
St. Johns, Florida
2010 TI
2008 AI

Great! Post pic's when done.

_________________

http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

Jerry, any luck with the new skirts?

Luv to see um.

_________________
"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."
- Ayn Rand

Yes they are finished for the AI and almost finished for the TI.

We made them out of black trampoline material and followed the pattern on the forum. Because of using the different material we found that the the best shape was a triangle. The ones on the AI work great but on the TI I needed to tie the two skirts together behind the mast to keep them in close to the boat. I used a 1 inch nylon strap with stainless snaps but the straps would not stay snapped when sailing today. I'll pull out the snaps and set grommets so I can tie them together.

Even with the gap they really helped with the spray. I didn't have to wash the salt water off my sunglasses when I finished sailing.

I'll post pistures in a day or 2.

Now I want to figure out a way to keep water from washing over the side and getting my legs wet when I tack.

_________________
Jerry D.
St. Johns, Florida
2010 TI
2008 AI

Just use little clips or coast locks attached to the skirts and then cliped around the front hatch bungees. Pulls the skirts nicely to the hull, but is still flexible.
Sorry, can't post pictures here.

I finally finished, well I'm 99% finished with my sewing project. Here's the picture I promised to post:

I'm not totally happy with my sewing skills on this one but, IMP, the black trampoline material looks really sharp with the yellow boat.

Mine are tied with line to the front (what's in the picture will be replaced when I get some decent line) and I use bungy cords from grommets on the two corners to stretch the spray skirts out and back. One nice feature is that I can fold in my amas with the spray skirts installed. I can't do that with the tramps installed but I really won't be using them much.

All that's left to do is make a couple of one inch nylon straps with snaps to hold the paddles on and replace the funky line I already mentioned.

_________________
Jerry D.
St. Johns, Florida
2010 TI
2008 AI

Well All-right!

That thing looks ready to fly. Now to go lookin for some swells!

Enjoy the test drive.

_________________
"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."
- Ayn Rand