Sailing the 2015 Hobie Revolution 16?

The 2015 Hobie Revolution 16 looks to be essentially the same as the (pre-2015) Adventure, modified to use the new lawn chair seat. Since the 2015 AI has changed, and Hobie no longer plans to produce conversion kits, I assume that if you want to sail the Revolution 16, you're supposed to use the "mirage sail kit"---the small sail that lists for $376. Would it be reasonable to use that tiny sail? I don't know anything about sailing, but that thing looks like a toy compared to a 16' kayak.

An alternative would seem to be to buy the "island sail kit" for $859 and install that on the Adventure/Revolution 16. That would be like a current AI, but without the amas. Would it be reasonable to use this larger sail without amas? Here's a video of someone doing so, and it seems to work for him:


The reason I ask is because I've got a 2013 Adventure and have been planning to upgrade it to an AI. But now I'm wondering if either of the options above might actually make sense. Not having to mess with amas would be a big plus in my book. And I'm not looking to set speed records---I just want to save a some wear and tear on the "engine".

I'm pretty sure in that video he is using a standard sail, not the full AI 16ft sail.  It would reach all the way back past his head if it was the regular AI sail.

What Island sail kit for $859? You gotta link?

I've sailed my Addy with the small sail. It's fun but not nearly as useful as the big one especially in light winds. I also have the Sidekicks & a daggerboard.

I am planning to add 1 ama on my Adventure using PVC instead of the metal parts.

What Island sail kit for $859? You gotta link?

This is a link with a price list---search for "99603001":
http://www.hobiecatsnorthwest.com/uploads/2/7/7/3/2773420/kayak_2013_parts_pricing.pdf

I am planning to add 1 ama on my Adventure using PVC instead of the metal parts.

That sounds like an interesting project. I'd like to see how it turns out.

I'm pretty sure in that video he is using a standard sail, not the full AI 16ft sail.  It would reach all the way back past his head if it was the regular AI sail.

You think so? It looks to me like that's an AI without the amas, so I don't see how the smaller sail would fit. Also, I found this picture online, which is supposed to be a Revolution 16 with the small sail. The sail on this one looks a lot smaller to me than the one in the video, and in the video it's mostly furled.

It doesn't look like a Hobie sail and it's small as you can see the top of the sail while he's sailing.

The sail in the video is definitely the small Hobie sail, not the AI sail. The AI sail mast is about 3-4 inches thick and about twice as big as the small sail. If you use the AI sail on the Adventure without the amas, you will no doubt go for a swim.

I have both sails. You're welcome to check them out, borrow for a spin.

The Hobie dealers are offering great deals on 2014 models.  You should consider selling your Adventure and buying a new 2014 AI. 
Hobie "repurposes" their pictures year after year.  Some are not the latest model.

Pretty sure this Island sail kit is only the sail & mast so unless you already have an AI the  mast won't fit your mast tube/ hole.

take it from me. I started sailing my outback with the small sail... outback is nice and wide... super stable. not with the small sail. a gust of wind will make you think twice about getting those AMAS. once I got the AMAS, I wanted more speed...

it's a slippery slope. if you don't get the AI now, you will after.

-Ed

I'm pretty sure in that video he is using a standard sail, not the full AI 16ft sail.  It would reach all the way back past his head if it was the regular AI sail.

You think so? It looks to me like that's an AI without the amas, so I don't see how the smaller sail would fit. Also, I found this picture online, which is supposed to be a Revolution 16 with the small sail. The sail on this one looks a lot smaller to me than the one in the video, and in the video it's mostly furled.

He made it fit, and made a furling system for it.  Yes, i can see he has the braces for a regular AI, but no that is not the big sail.  I think that he is showing that you can downwind sail with the smaller sail.  But you wouldn't be trying to tack into the wind with it i'm sure.

With a daggerboard it sails just fine into the wind. There's a group of guys on the Hobie forum who sail their Adventures with the small sail, a daggerboard, & no amas. I haven't tried this yet since i got the daggerboard but i'm sure it's fun if you don't mind the occasional dunking & like to furl a bunch.

With a daggerboard it sails just fine into the wind. There's a group of guys on the Hobie forum who sail their Adventures with the small sail, a daggerboard, & no amas. I haven't tried this yet since i got the daggerboard but i'm sure it's fun if you don't mind the occasional dunking & like to furl a bunch.

Thanks for the info. I'll see if I can find that on the Hobie forum.