Hobie Cat Forums

I just spent $220.00 on cradles for my AI and they are not even close to fitting. The AI is being supported by the amas. The serious part of the problem is that they are torquing the crossbar bosses right out of the boat. see pics below. Does Hobie have a fix for this?

One thing you might want to try, but it will probably just reverse your problem (hull contacting, but not the ama) is to fold the ama forward. I do this on my padded flat trailer setup for 2 islands (AI or TI). It works well, as the AI ama folded forward are flat to the trailer bed as the hull is.

_________________

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

Mine was very similar in fit to yours, perhaps not quite as bad.

Owing to the fact that these are plastic boats and no two are going to be identical, an part that is identical, such as the cradles, isn't going to perfectly fit every AI.

You may have to do a little custom work. I replace the center 3 foam pad sections with ultra-thick carpet to take up a little space and inserted two 1/8th inch rubber washers under the middle mounting bolt of the rear cradle. Now the cradle fits my specific hull.

Thank You Tom and Bob for your reply's. I was hoping that buying these expensive pieces of plastic would help me avoid the hassles of making the cradles myself. After seeing the potential for very serious damage to my AI crossbar mounts by trailering with the amas installed I will transport the boat with them detached. I am just very disappointed with the product and I will send them back. Thanks Again for your reply's
Tom

The cradles may be too bunched up? I would loosen the outer bolts, let the AI sit & form the cradles (without the AMA's) , then re-tighten the bolts? My rear cradles are 16 inch center to outside bolt. Fronts are 8 inch center to outside ...

A stack of washers under the center mount might help correct the issue...

_________________
2011 Golden Papaya TI with a 250 square foot spinnaker!
also a more manageable 100 square foot spinny...
&
the TI3 rear ama mod

I found the cradles on my TI were such a poor fit that I padded them out with high density closed cell EVA foam and covered with marine carpet. Glued on with silicone sealer Sikaflex adhesive.

_________________
Geordie
West Ausie

TOm, what's with the gaps under the AI crossbar mount? Doesn't look right.

That brace should be sitting on the hull. Are those brass posts pulling out?

The shape of the hull & amas along with the amas height to the hull change constantly the lenght of the hull. Are you sure you have the cradles the correct distance apart? No disrespect, just asking?