The Adventure Island has a nice aka bar behind the cockpit to help handle the boat. After using it for awhile, it became apparent that a grip like this would make it easier to handle any of the Mirage kayaks. So here's a quick project to help carry the day.
This addition uses Hobie's
Lift Handle (pn # 71190001; about $8.00). You've probably also seen it in service on the AI and Outback. The hardware for this installation consists of a couple of 1/4 x 20 x 1" Phillips pan head stainless screws, flat washes and Nyloc nuts:
If you get one, make sure your dealer grabs the handle with the pre-made holes like the one shown, not the
Bravo version without holes!
We're installing this between the cockpit and the cargo well. It should work on all the singles, not just the Adventure (shown). Make sure you can reach this region before you drill! Looks like this:
When done, you'll be able to lift the boat sunny side up using your new grip and the drivewell, like this:
This gives you a lot more gripping options than the alternative:
Once you grasp the versatility of these little handles, it's easy to get carried away and start putting them all over your boat! We already have 4 on the tandem!!