sailman wrote:
So do you still have the older AI? or did you upgrade to a newer model? The reason I ask is that the 2012 AI has so many improvements and fixes on it I was amazed.
Thanks for the kind words. I really do enjoy the boats and tinkering with them
I've had up to 4 AI's at one time. Three of the early hulls were replaced by Hobie under warranty as we learned the boats limits, tested some Hobie upgrades and found early weak areas (Mirage well). One original AI was sold last year to make more room for my TI. So presently I have a 2009, 2010 & a 2011 AI. The 2011 has the new large vertical rudder. Great improvement! Almost overkill on an AI (I LIKE IT!)
My 2009 & 2010 AI's are now up for sale so I can upgrade to 2012 or 2013, so all three will have the latest rudder. Most of the rest of the upgrades are nice additions but not anything I would have upgraded for by themselves.
Luckily, older AI's seem to hold their value at about 2/3's retail as long as they are in good shape. Most sell around here for about $2400 plus or minus depending on addons (daggerboard holder, leashes, Sprayskirts!) or problems and excess wear.
We have a great group of Hobie Adventure sailors here on Maui, so there's always someone new looking to join us, who appreciates a less expensive way to get started with their own (not quite the newest) boat. The AI I sold last year is most likely being sold again to another newbie to our group so it's current owner can upgrade again with one of my newer for sale boats to get 2009 -10 improvements. Plus we then may add to our ranks another AI sailor on Maui. A win-win for everyone.
So when are you going to visit Maui to sail with us?
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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006