2012 AI?

Hey all,

Keep going back and forth on getting a new 2019-2020 Outback or going with the older (pre-2015) AI. New to kayak fishing and plan to be fishing mostly out of HMB/Pacifica/Bay.

Anywho, I plan on checking out an AI I found this craigslist ad... checking with the seller to see if it's an Adventure with the Island conversion kit, or an adventure island (not sure if there's a way to tell from the photo).

Are there any notable distinctions in the 2012 year in terms of features? E.g., did the 2013-2014 receive upgrades I should be aware of? Also wondering what are some key inspection points I should consider.

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/d/sacramento-kayak/7142254729.html

Adventure and Adventure Island hulls are the same. I have a 2012 Adventure and think highly of it as a kayak. Fastest hull Hobie made. Quite stable as long as one keeps the seat low to the kayak. High seats will present a center of gravity issue in swells and chop.

If it costs the same price I will go with new outback 100%. If you decided to go with older AI, make sure do water test and check every details as possible.

I think you should be able to get 2012 AI w/ tramps for around $2k.

I've had AI and now TI, it is a very different experience than kayak - ability to sail; stability, even with single AMA; you can take kid out (once I sailed with wife and two kids on 2011 AI, but it was way over weight limit).

Potential cons are - accessibility/launch (HMB and Bay are not a problem, Pacifica is), transportation, time to assemble / disassemble or deal with trailer. Also for me much more chance to get sea sick while fishing in a rough water.

I think AI/TI is a great fun, and there is no way back after you try it.

For model years - here are notes I found/collected some time ago (can't guarantee anything here though):

Adventure Island:
2007--AI introduced
2010 --click in drive clamps--no retrofit
2009--rudder up/down lines--can retrofit
2011--Tilt up rudder--no retrofit
2012 --Twist loc seatpost--can retrofit
2012 --Drive alignment pin--no retrofit
2011--line-centering rudder pin--can retrofit with modification

Thanks all. The new Outback out the door w/tax is about $3300, this guy is asking $2600 for the 2012 AI (I would probably haggle a bit). Price isn't really an issue with me since I'm trading one hobbie for another (selling motorcycles to fund the yak).

What's the best way to perform a leak test on a used yak if a body of water isn't around?? Fill up the hull with water from a hose and look around for leaks?

What's the best way to perform a leak test on a used yak if a body of water isn't around?? Fill up the hull with water from a hose and look around for leaks?

https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=12575&_ga=2.26603579.787649151.1592166000-575437423.1590615154

$2600 for the 2012 AI seems a bit high. There were AI's sold here for less than 2k. The only complain I have for the older AI's is that you're always sitting in a puddle of water all day. If that's a problem for you, either find a way to mod the seat, or get something else.

If I was closer, I'd be glad to go with you and check it out, but Sac City is kind of far for me. In any case, here are some thoughts...

I have a 2014 AI and I bought it used in late 2015 for $2650, so you should be able to haggle.

Places you want to check the hull (especially on the inside) are around the drive well, the scupper holes, the very rear (where the rudder attaches), and the area around the V-bracing where the sail mounts. Those are the high stress areas.

Look at everything, and have it all setup, not just a bunch of parts laying in a heap. If it's faded significantly, it's been stored outside in the sun, and I'd pass. I looked at one that had been stored outside--it was 2 years old and looked like it was going on 20.

Unfurl the sail and take a close look. If there is a lot of fraying of threads, it's probably been sailed a lot (and hard). That's not necessarily bad (mine had been sailed a lot, and hard), but could at least give you some idea what kinds of questions you might want to ask. Such as...

Ask if he's ever broken one of the plastic shear pins that hold the amas in place (if he tells you that he replaced them with stainless bolts, pass). Ask if he's ever broken a rudder pin. Ask if he's ever capsized. If he looks at you like you've lost your mind when you ask these questions, that's a good thing, as he's never really pushed the boat to the limit. Ask him if he got a lot of water leakage through the front hatch (a common issue, which can give you some idea how much he actually used the boat).

It has the twist-and-stow rudder. Either works fine for fishing, but the shark-fin is preferred for hard sailing. That might be one thing that you could point out to try to talk down the price. It looks like it comes with trampolines, which some people like, but I don't use, so I can't comment on that.

If he fished from it, look closely at any customization. For example, check for stainless bolts and such.

Ask him how he transported it. Car-topping is possible, but if that's the case, it's more likely that it got dropped or otherwise roughed-up, as compared to a trailer.

I'm sure there's more, but that's all I can think of off the top of my head.

And one more thing... Personally, I would not worry about the old style seat. If you don't like it, you can use any kind of seat--as long as you go with at least one ama, the center of gravity is not an issue. There are lots of custom seat ideas on the Hobie forum.

And one more more thing... Also check the hull around the the area where the seat locks into place. That's another place where cracks have been known to occur.

And don't forget to check the mirage drive carefully. The cables should not be frayed or rusted. If it doesn't have turbo fins, that's something you'll want to upgrade (and I'd recommend the GT drive upgrade too).

I have a "07 AI for under $1000. 

I have a "07 AI for under $1000.

I have a friend looking for one.  If Fear58 isn't interested in one this old, let me know so I can pass the info on!

Thanks for all the info Nowhereman! SOMA that seems like a great deal! Fiver I'm moving sort of slow, so definitely feel free to pass the info on.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Thanks for all the info Nowhereman! SOMA that seems like a great deal! Fiver I'm moving sort of slow, so definitely feel free to pass the info on.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Thanks, good luck with your hunting. I have a 2012 AI, and it has been my weapon of choice for the past 4 yrs or so.  I don't think you can go wrong with either choice! 

SOMA, you have a PM. Thanks for offering such an awesome deal to NCKA peeps.