Hi,
after the first launch of my AI let me introduce myself....
I'm now 60, living in Germany and France, the AI is my second Hobie after the H14 I bought in 1974.
Due to the rapid growing scene of windsurfing in Europe I switched in 1975 fully to windsurfing including shaping, modifying and this stuff. Great time!
Now a little bit older the AI will deliver more silent and comfortable, but wet sailing, mainly on the Atlantic Ocean around the island Noirmoutier, I guess.
This island I know for more than twenty years due to windsurfing and sailing with the little Mirror 11ft. Dinghi.
The AI is the 07 version, without knowing the update of the new rudder before buying it I have to change it by myself. Thanks for the threads with the clever hints of experienced sailors here.
Beginning with sailing this craft I'll start when more windy conditions appear in the backward water of this island and train for the more rough west-side of Noirmoutier.
At the beaches there are a lot of Hobiecats there but for me the AI is better because sometimes I stay without my wife in France and the AI is easy to move, built up singlehand and stored in the garden.
My second hobby is photography s I have to look around to get a waterproof wideangle digicamera but at first I'll sail.
Easterdays had been could but the first launch was very easy. Small sets of waves, wind directly to the shoreline and the first meter with the mirage drive, it was like a breeze (as the English say).
So enough for the first post, in two weeks we'll spend three weeks over there on this fantastic island and the AI.
http://ile-noirmoutier.com/nautisme.cfm
Regards
Bernd