No more Adventure Island kit production

I asked Matt Miller from Hobie if they would still offer the AI kit in the future & he said......


"AI conversions will only be available as parts remain in stock. I have even removed the kits from catalog pages due to dropping sales. Since no current model will accept the crossbars... sales will drop considerably. Piecing parts together from the new AI might work."


Of course there are a lot of AI's around but I was thinking about what if someone wanted to turn a Revo16 into an AI to take advantage of the new & improved seat without going to the 2015 larger/heavier AI. Question answered......Thanks Matt!

What I'm wondering now is, will the 2015 AI be able to operate safely without the outriggers and sail in place? Just wondering if you would need to rig the whole thing every time in order to use it.

I asked Matt Miller from Hobie if they would still offer the AI kit in the future & he said......


"AI conversions will only be available as parts remain in stock. I have even removed the kits from catalog pages due to dropping sales. Since no current model will accept the crossbars... sales will drop considerably. Piecing parts together from the new AI might work."


Of course there are a lot of AI's around but I was thinking about what if someone wanted to turn a Revo16 into an AI to take advantage of the new & improved seat without going to the 2015 larger/heavier AI. Question answered......Thanks Matt!

Guess I need to decide fast whether to upgrade my 2013 Adventure...

What I'm wondering now is, will the 2015 AI be able to operate safely without the outriggers and sail in place? Just wondering if you would need to rig the whole thing every time in order to use it.

I've used my AI without any Amas lots of times.  For saltwater a one ama set up is best, check out 3 AIs with that setup in the pictures on the report below.  All AI colors are were present that day.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=56906.0

I've used my AI without any Amas lots of times.  For saltwater a one ama set up is best, check out 3 AIs with that setup in the pictures on the report below.  All AI colors are were present that day.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=56906.0

Yes, but unless you're a time traveller, those are not 2015 AIs. If the new seat in the 2015 model raises the center of gravity even slightly, it seems to me it could be a bit dicey without the outriggers.

I've used my AI without any Amas lots of times.  For saltwater a one ama set up is best, check out 3 AIs with that setup in the pictures on the report below.  All AI colors are were present that day.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=56906.0

Yes, but unless you're a time traveller, those are not 2015 AIs. If the new seat in the 2015 model raises the center of gravity even slightly, it seems to me it could be a bit dicey without the outriggers.

My understanding is you can lower the new seats pretty close to the old seat.   You can also deploy the built in daggerboard.
Lots of assumptions going on.  Think like the glass is half full.

I love my 2016. Lol

Mel, you troublemaker, you

I love my 2016. Lol

Mel, you troublemaker, you

 

I've used my AI without any Amas lots of times.  For saltwater a one ama set up is best, check out 3 AIs with that setup in the pictures on the report below.  All AI colors are were present that day.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=56906.0

Yes, but unless you're a time traveller, those are not 2015 AIs. If the new seat in the 2015 model raises the center of gravity even slightly, it seems to me it could be a bit dicey without the outriggers.

According to multiple sources I've talked with at Hobie including one of the designers, the new seat is at the same deck level as the old seats. We were discussing the Outback at the time, but my understanding is this is fleet-wide. I'm eager to verify this with additional models.

I love my 2016. Lol

It can't compare with my 2017...

Lets all go sailing...

According to multiple sources I've talked with at Hobie including one of the designers, the new seat is at the same deck level as the old seats. We were discussing the Outback at the time, but my understanding is this is fleet-wide. I'm eager to verify this with additional models.

The 2015 AI is 6 inches longer, and the fitted hull weight is 21% greater, as compared to 2014. So, having the seat "at the same deck level" might not mean all that much, since it's a significantly different boat. RBark's question seems like a good one to me.

Yeah, I'm just wondering because right now the decision for me is between the Revo 16 and 2015 AI. If I can run the AI without the whole setup, it's a definite buy for me since it'd be 2 options in one. If I can't.... I'd probably have to think on it a lot more. Some days the work setting up an AI probably isn't worth it (i.e. in lakes, quick trips near shore, etc)

Yeah, I'm just wondering because right now the decision for me is between the Revo 16 and 2015 AI. If I can run the AI without the whole setup, it's a definite buy for me since it'd be 2 options in one. If I can't.... I'd probably have to think on it a lot more. Some days the work setting up an AI probably isn't worth it (i.e. in lakes, quick trips near shore, etc)

You might want to consider a used AI of recent vintage. I suspect there will be a fair number of them coming on the market as people look to upgrade to the 2015.
 

Yeah, that thought occurred to me but after spending a lot of time in the seat of the Predator 13, I have to admit I've been spoiled for kayak comfort. So the 2015's look way too tempting haha.