AI in SF Bay - badass video

Chuck, just so happens I have a ton of 85% commercial shade cloth at the shop and will bring a sample for you to test this weekend. If it works out we have enough for about fifty trampolines .....

Thanks Allen.  Do you have grommets too?

Funny you should ask...just have to find it. Purchased a boat years ago that had more spare hardware and kits of all kinds. I will bring what I have if it can be located.

Wow, that would be great if we can put together one that works just like the real one that they sell for $380.  Let me know if you need a template pattern design.  We could probably can come up with a better design than Hobie.

Rey

I got two words for the man "Lip Gripper"  That last hali was hilarious! After setting a couple accidently free in the past I've found a process that reduces the releases. Gaff em, leg on em, grip em, clip em, eat em............... I've seen some of his videos before. Almost pushing the "Kayak" term, but I'm with Chucke. It's a fishing vessel or tool. Calling it a kayak..........well I'd don't care as much about that. Just looking for the best tool for the job................Versitile fishing craft is what I'm looking for. He's a pioneer, and I like that.

Does anyone else feel like the trampolines are in the way of fishing? He kept having to turn around and land the fish from the back of the yak. Seems like you might do a trampoline on one side, keep the other open for landing fish?  He sure scored them halibut though!

My buddy has the factory trampolines, and I was wondering the same thing.  I'm sure it could work...  The trampolines are sweet because they are like halibut hammocks.  And strong enough to walk on and stretch your legs.

I hear that the trampolines also cut down on the spray a LOT. Man, I'm drooling to try one out too, but no way to swing it at the moment...

Sent from my MB300 using Tapatalk

That is true, but it's still a wet ride.  And add that to being in the wind...  dry suit, or waders/drytop are a must, imo.

The AI is a fantastic platform. Not for everyone though. You will deal with frustration. Lots of mental checklists. Lots of learning as you go. When things are right though...they are OH SO right.

I have used my new tramps the last two trips to Berryessa. They are excellent once you get past the post launching blues (you need to clip on all the back snaps while underway). Same with returning to the dock. You need to unsnap the back clips on at least one side of the boat to fold in the outrigger in or you will have one hell of a time getting onto the dock. Of course, with one side still out, the the boat is off balance... You could BEACH IT at the ramp though and keep things out (tramps too) on both sides of the boat. I will try that the next time I go. Actually, the more I think about it - the BETTER IT SOUNDS! You do have to time the removal of the mirage drive just before you hit the shallow water though.

I can put my AI on the trailer with the outriggers still out. Fix it up for travel once you've pulled it out of the water and you're on dry land.

Rookie mistake- The biggest problem putting it on the trailer is when the rig is off balance (one outrigger still out). It's a mess wrestling the boat onto the trailer like that. I've tried... Don't do it.

Rookie mistake 2 - I lost a large crappie last night at Capel launch. It was dark and windy. I tried to bring my boat to the dock. Pulled in the outrigger on one side and started removing items (putting them on the dock) one piece at a time while still sitting in the boat. First the paddle, then the mirage drive and then the flashlight.  Of course, I never TIED UP to the dock and was just using my free hand to hold on.

Yep, it gets worse.... I'm now unsnapping the tramp on the other side of the boat and had that big crappie on a chain stringer attached to the back of the tramp flopping around. Too much for one hand to deal with so (without thinking) I use both hands to bring the stringer into the boat. I look up and realize I'm drifting fast away from the dock! And I have no paddle or mirage drive. I try to furiously paddle with my hands and just keep drifting farther out into the wind while losing ground. It was not good. Ended up on a steep bank about 200 feet from the dock. Finally was able to get on shore without taking a swim in the deep water. The only thing I had going for me was the rudder. That allowed me to get the boat sideways so I could struggle out of the boat. Anyway, that big crappie (and chain stringer) managed to fit perfectly in the mirage drive hole and escaped through the bottom of the boat during the commotion of my unscheduled side trip leaving the dock. I do feel bad about that poor crappie trying to swim around w/the chain stringer...

So I have lots of learning to do yet. I only tell this story so others won't repeat my follies. As far as sailing goes, I'm getting pretty good. And those tramps do work PERFECT for night fishing crappie. Set the black light/fluorescent bulb out and kick back. Very comfortable. Just lay the rods down on the tramps and watch the glowing rod tips. Plenty of room. Better than a regular boat.