NorCal Kayak Anglers
General => Kayak Sailing => Topic started by: Crayfish on December 09, 2019, 10:03:12 PM
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I've had a Jackson Kraken for almost two years now but recently joined Cal Sailing Club and enjoying it. Now I've gone and combined sailing with kayaks by picked up this 2012 AI from Craiglist. I'm dying to get it on the water, but have plenty of questions in the meantime.
(1) I was reading the rudder pins can break and was going to pick up some extra. What other things would you recommend getting (besides the obvious pumps, etc)
(2) How do most of you carry crab pots on it? The trampoline or back? I figured the trampolines would get in the way when you launch and paddle.
(3) I read when you land in any surf to, stow everything, hold on to a leash from behind and walk it in using your body as a anchor. Thoughts?
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Get extra rudder pins, and have a few mirage masts and idler pulleys as well. Exactly which ones depends on your mirage drive model.
For launching the TI by myself, I always use only one ama on the right side, and I use the half paddle with t-handle that I think comes with all Islands. The half-paddle combined with the mirage drive gets you going really fast for short distances. I'm right-handed, so I paddle on the left side, hence the ama on the right side.
For landing, we pedal/paddle until we're in about knee/thigh deep water, then jump out and pull up the drives and the rudder. Not sure about the walking-it-in technique you mention.
If you're launching in anything resembling big surf, I'd recommend using only one ama and no sail. It makes the boat lighter, faster, and more manageable, and the one tramp should be enough for a few crab pots.
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Thanks for the advice, going to stop by CCK today. Also looks like I'll need to drill a hole in the boat for a fish finder.
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Thanks for the advice, going to stop by CCK today. Also looks like I'll need to drill a hole in the boat for a fish finder.
I would either use an arm over the side or thru hull with duct seal
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Thanks for the advice, going to stop by CCK today. Also looks like I'll need to drill a hole in the boat for a fish finder.
I would either use an arm over the side or thru hull with duct seal
thru hull looks like the ticket, just no water temp? which is whatever really.
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Microwave and mini-fridge.
Bouché
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Welcome to the club!
I have a full set of extra drain plugs too.
IDK anyone who paddles with an AI. Why not pedal?
The only place I've beached launched is Bolinas. I fish from Monterey all the way up the coast and have only had to beach launch a handful of times...
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Thanks for the advice, going to stop by CCK today. Also looks like I'll need to drill a hole in the boat for a fish finder.
I would either use an arm over the side or thru hull with duct seal
thru hull looks like the ticket, just no water temp? which is whatever really.
Just to be clear "through hull" means you drill a hole for a through hull transducer to fit through. When you use duct seal on the inside without drilling a hole it is the "in hull" method. You can also glue the transducer to the inside.
I glued mine in:
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Thanks for the advice, going to stop by CCK today. Also looks like I'll need to drill a hole in the boat for a fish finder.
I personally wouldn't drill a hole in the boat. I have the FF mounted to the crossbar, and the battery is inside the front hatch. I run the cables through the hatch to the FF (and snap the hatch cover over them), and the transducer is marine-gooped to the inside floor of the boat.
The only holes I've drilled were in the side mesh pockets to install Scotty mounts, and I wouldn't do that again if given the choice.
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I should have been more clear, I'm considering the transducer inside the hull with putty, battery secured in the hull then drilling one hole for the wire to come out through to the display. I bought the Hobie through hull wiring kit but need to think it all through carefully.
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Wherever you drill, make sure whatever you put through it will actually go through it as planned. Dont forget marine goop. The first one is to avoid drilling a second hole, the second one is to avoid leakage.
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Microwave and mini-fridge.
Bouché
Some of the Solar setups are pretty insane
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Thanks for the advice, going to stop by CCK today. Also looks like I'll need to drill a hole in the boat for a fish finder.
I would either use an arm over the side or thru hull with duct seal
thru hull looks like the ticket, just no water temp? which is whatever really.
Just to be clear "through hull" means you drill a hole for a through hull transducer to fit through. When you use duct seal on the inside without drilling a hole it is the "in hull" method. You can also glue the transducer to the inside.
I glued mine in:
Through hull is exactly what you did. No drilling, just securing the transducer inside of the hull.
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I should have been more clear, I'm considering the transducer inside the hull with putty, battery secured in the hull then drilling one whole for the wire to come out through to the display. I bought the Hobie through hull wiring kit but need to think it all through carefully.
I'd seriously try running the power and transducer cables through the bow hatch and to the FF. Try that before drilling. You have to push a little harder to get the bow hatch to snap shut over those two cables but it works fine.
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Thanks for the advice, going to stop by CCK today. Also looks like I'll need to drill a hole in the boat for a fish finder.
I would either use an arm over the side or thru hull with duct seal
thru hull looks like the ticket, just no water temp? which is whatever really.
Just to be clear "through hull" means you drill a hole for a through hull transducer to fit through. When you use duct seal on the inside without drilling a hole it is the "in hull" method. You can also glue the transducer to the inside.
I glued mine in:
Through hull is exactly what you did. No drilling, just securing the transducer inside of the hull.
There are transom transducers, through hull transducers, and in hull transducers. I mounted a transom transducer “in hull”. Only a through hull transducer can be mounted through the hull. With an in hull mounted transducer only the signal goes through the hull which is why some refer to them as through hull. Do a search and see what you find.
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I have a full set of extra drain plugs too.
+1 the drain plugs and rudder pin. I'd also recommend PatR's mounts. They've worked great for me for my old AI and my current AI.
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+1 the drain plugs and rudder pin. I'd also recommend PatR's mounts. They've worked great for me for my old AI and my current AI.
What's PatR's?
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+1 the drain plugs and rudder pin. I'd also recommend PatR's mounts. They've worked great for me for my old AI and my current AI.
What's PatR's?
He's a member that made mounts for the AI/TI.
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I agree, his Scotty and RAM mount adapters for akas and crossbars are great.
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+1 on PatR's mounts (I use them for FF head, downrigger, rod holders and they are absolutely great as HAKA)
Some other things to consider:
- brace shear pin and nut (these break easily, as they should - I have several spares)
- tramps
- use foam noodle to hold white roller mast balls (bearings) from falling during transportation
- bow shackle
if you are sailing:
- HAKA (I use backboards)
- tiller extension (I used DIY on my previous AI, and my "new" TI came with Hobie's one)
- Harken HK476 X-treme Angle fairlead
- Vane / wind indicator (costly, but useful for beginners)
Consider mods from http://www.kayakingbob.com/hobie-ai
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Welcome to the maddest corner of the madness!
Lots of good advice above, but I'd disagree with the anti-drill crowd. Get the Hobie thru-hull wiring kit:
https://www.austinkayak.com/Hobie-Thru-Hull-Wiring-Kit/ACK12509P.html
Pricey, but you'll get 0 leakage with that, which is not the case if you try to route things thru the front hatch.
Speaking of the front hatch, do something to make it more watertight. IMHO, that's the one flaw in the boat. There are lots of simple options, from a "shower cap" to yoga mat and so on (search on the Hobie forum). My solution is a 1/2" diameter silicone tube that fits in the groove, keeping the seal waterproof when things flex.
I like the Railblaza mounts, especially on the haka bars. I'd also recommend their "sideport" mounts for inside the pockets (reinforce the inside).
If you like to sail, you should take a look at the spinnaker kit that Hobie sells. That can be a lot of fun in the right conditions.
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I may look into drilling holes for the FF cables. It would certainly tidy up the deck and it's true that the front hatch can leak. Have fun customizing your boat. Everyone has different ways and preferences of rigging their Islands. A PVC multi-rod holder is a fun project and a great tool for storage and rod-deployment while fishing, especially salmon-trolling.
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Welcome to the maddest corner of the madness!
Lots of good advice above, but I'd disagree with the anti-drill crowd. Get the Hobie thru-hull wiring kit:
https://www.austinkayak.com/Hobie-Thru-Hull-Wiring-Kit/ACK12509P.html
Pricey, but you'll get 0 leakage with that, which is not the case if you try to route things thru the front hatch.
Speaking of the front hatch, do something to make it more watertight. IMHO, that's the one flaw in the boat. There are lots of simple options, from a "shower cap" to yoga mat and so on (search on the Hobie forum). My solution is a 1/2" diameter silicone tube that fits in the groove, keeping the seal waterproof when things flex.
I like the Railblaza mounts, especially on the haka bars. I'd also recommend their "sideport" mounts for inside the pockets (reinforce the inside).
If you like to sail, you should take a look at the spinnaker kit that Hobie sells. That can be a lot of fun in the right conditions.
I'm pumped and ready to test all this out. Just waiting for Saturday morning and I can get it on the water.
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I’ve had good luck with a small sea anchor for surf. The AI broaches right away with a following wave and the sea anchor will straighten it. The last wave when your bow is already in the sand is the worst. Rudder pin
and one brace bolt are sure to go but you get in.
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I tested it out on Lafayette Reservoir yesterday. Lots of fun. I took my 6 year old with me (in a wetsuit) and he said, "it's cold". I replied, "But it's fun" and he replied, "more cold than fun".
I learned a lot -- like to not leave my daggerboard in the car and to make sure to keep the main sheet line above the AKAs inserting them (it was a bitch to try and fix on the water).
I also learned I want to get a trailer. Car topping that thing is a pain, especially since the cross bars hang down and I have to pad them to prevent damage to the roof.
Overall very happy with the boat and excited to get it salty.
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A trailer makes it so much easier it’s ridiculous. I have the Trailex 220S which is the same as the official Hobie trailer, minus a few bells and whistles, for a lot less money. It is still pricey, but very easy to assemble and mostly aluminum, so you can practically use it like a dolly.
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Congrats on the new ride!
So when is the next AI sailing get together?
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So when is the next AI sailing get together?
I would be interested too :smt006
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So when is the next AI sailing get together?
I would be interested too :smt006
Rockwall?☺️
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Heck yeah! ARW would be my 1st choice too :smt007