Maiden AI Voyage

What a total Newb I am.... 

Picked up My AI at CC&K and the first thing I realize is I have a problem with car topping this puppy on my suburban. I tried to deal with it on my own at home and soon was reminded why I'm not working as a Firefighter anymore... 

Leverage and some tips from others are need as just trying muscle the AI on top of a suburban was tough... so to the trailer!!! 

Have had dreams of sailing to Red Rock and slamming stripers and picking up a Halibut or 2 for a while now, and today was the day.... 

Got to Ferry Point ( Mouth of Richmond Harbor ) and it's just Blowing....    I'm watching for a while, sailboats totally leaning over just wondering if I'm being a pussy or if as soon as I get out there, I'm going to be doing cartwheels and making the evening news. Then I notice this nice old lady standing next to me... " Don't do it ...  ...  That enough of a sign for me...

Head to San Pablow Reservoir ...  It's mellow, slight wind, but I have much to learn and soon I am glad I'm in a quite peaceful place to rig the AI for the first time. For some reason, my main sheet line is too short and after a call CC&K, adapt, improvise and overcome, I'm on the water.. ( going to get the line replaced later at CC&K )

Wind is down, just a pleasant day at SPD, then I notice a wind tunnel in the middle of the lake with white caps...

 As I get closer, my Guardian Angle  is working overtime again and tells me to  reef the sail to 25%...

Uh ya...  as soon as I hit the gust,  WHAM!!! I shot out of there just hanging on and leaning...  spent the rest of the day tacking across this wind tunnel . Probably not the best way to learn how to sail, but the feel of that power when the gust hit was really something....

Really looking forward to going out with other AI's and learning just what these puppies can do and start to take it to the edge. I feel it would be best to be with others doing this as a capsize would be a pain..

I was also Really Grateful I did not go into the Bay, That would have been very bad.... 

I would have saved much time and trial by error if I would have read GB2's article first...  This is a must read and can't say enough about how important and educational this article by GB2 is for a newb like myself.

Thanks GB2!!!

Great Article on Sailing, WSB, getting everyone on Salmon in Monterey and donating the Raptor to HOW....

Whatever your running for,  you have my Vote!!!!   

Heading to CCK in 30 min to pick mine up....solid work Don

Excellent report! I'm ripe with AI envy now.     They're just fun time machines!

Thanks for sharing your AI maiden trip Don. Glad you made the right decision not to sail on the bay today as the gusty wind is howling here in Benicia.

Eric,
Congrats on the new AI. I'll get my "used" one next week. 
Sonny

Congrats Danglin.  Your Hobie Island can take just take whatever Ferry Point (or Benicia) dishes out even in howling winds.  You'll see once you get a little more confidence in the way the boat handles.

Just curious about your sail.  How did you end up with the color combo?  Ivory dune Islands come with blue/white sails.  The yellow/blue/white sails come with the papaya colored hulls.

Just curious about your sail.  How did you end up with the color combo?  Ivory dune Islands come with blue/white sails.  The yellow/blue/white sails come with the papaya colored hulls.

Something happened that they either put it out with another sale or a mix up at Hobie...

either way, I'm good with Mango... I really wanted the papaya color for visibility on the water, so I kinda got it with the sail and I do like the Dune color...

 looks like a baby grey whale... 

But with Hobies " Shark " warranty ... I guess I'm good.... 

Congrats on your new ride, man San Pablo looks nasty I kind of like your colors deferent.

PatR

Heading to CCK in 30 min to pick mine up....solid work Don

What is "CCK"?

Heading to CCK in 30 min to pick mine up....solid work Don

What is "CCK"?

california canoe and kayak=cck two stores oakland and sac

Heading to CCK in 30 min to pick mine up....solid work Don

i knew you were going to the darker side 

You are welcome Don and look forward to sailing with you. I think the dune is the best looking color but least visible with the sail reefed especially on lakes. The mango is the most visible. The papaya is in-between.

I hope to sail with soon, Don!  I am an AI newbie myself.  Last Sunday we sailed Alameda at 15 knots with occasional gusts to 20 and had a blast.  I can't wait for my next trip.