Hobie Adventure Island Modifications and Tweaks
Apr 12th, 2007 by billb
Some of these modifications are things that are just handy, some are fairly important.
1. Mast retainer: This is something Hobie really should fix. On this well thought out boat this wimpy bent metal retainer is inexcusable, and it doesn’t work. I am making a set of aluminum plates that pivot on the bottom of the furling bearing that have cutouts the size of the mast just above the retaining lip. With these pivoted in place the mast can’t be removed without pulling the retaining pin. I’ll take some pictures when I get them done.
2. Pedal adjuster lock: The pedal throw adjustment works well with standard fins, but the turbos put more pressure on the pin and flex in the assembly lets the pin slip back, releasing the pedal. I made a solid stop that keeps the adjusting grip from being squeezed by piercing a rubber plug with about five inches of stainless steel wire. Push the plug behind the squeeze handle once the adjustment is made and it holds it positively.
3. Pedal retainers: The pedals don’t rotate as they would on a bicycle so you don’t have to live with them always being flopped the wrong way. I threaded a short section of thin shock cord through a hole I drilled in the pedal and tie it around the pedal shaft. Holds the pedals towards you all the time.
4. Hatch bungees: I’ve made a bunch of various snap hooks and loops of thin shock cord that I attach to the big hatch cover’s retaining strap and the back of the round hatches. This lets you connect your stuff to the cover and keeps it from wandering around in the boat.
5. Back brace: The adjustment straps for the seat back slip. I’ve replaced them with buckles. Positive adjustment and better comfort.
6. Rudder retainer: The twist and stow rudders are slick but fragile. I think a standard vertical pull rudder with a lock-down rope would be better. But in the meantime I have:
- Replaced the actuating strings with Kevlar kitesurfing lines (next time I’ll do stainless cable).
- Made a more positive rudder lock down with bungee line that goes from the rudder blade to the twist and stow body
There will be lots more to come. I plan to take these things to places that Hobie probably wouldn’t recommend. We’re going to do some North Shore camping trips with stand up paddle boards and the Adventure Islands as support boats. Imagine ten or so SUP paddlers heading out of Hana, and camping on the beaches overnight, surfing breaks that are just too hard to get to. We’ll stack the gear in the Adventure Islands along with the food, wine and beer.
I also plan to do some inter-island trips in the summer. probably not this summer (the AllAluminumTour will eat up all the time) but for sure next year.
Aloha, I’m the guy with the other AI’s here on Maui. We’ve met at Makenna Landing. I’ve been enjoying your blogs.
There are a lot of free upgrades to the AI’s, contact your dealer, they should be updating you. Some Mast retainer clips were too soft, replacements available. (see http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=5958)
Also Hobie is working on a new rudder mech. and changes to the mirage drive for the fall, and a new rudder blade in a month or so that will be like adding power steering to the rudder control.
Hope to see you when you get back and maybe get out a few times together. We now have 3 AI’s and are talking about a fourth.
Happy paddling
I too have had problems with the island rudder, it runs out turning to starboard, have ajusted it a couple of times still need to work with it but I suspect it needs more rudder or better linkage ore both.
I did fix the seat though, I use a simple piece of plywood with a paded top, it fits behind the seat and leans against the aka brace, a folded towl to sit on and it is much more secure than the hobie strap and pin seat.
george
New “Balanced” rudders are now available from Hobie (free upgrade) for the AI’s. Check with your dealer or Hobie direct. We just ordered our 4th AI so now there’s at least 6 of us on Maui. Hope you’re having a great time on the mainland.
Aloha,
Kayaking Bob
Aloha-I’m looking into getting an adventure island who on Maui is selling them?
Valley Isle Marine in Wailuku has them–I think they have the exclusinve deal for Maui, but even if they didn’t i’d get it there. they stock parts and know what they’re doing.
I picked up an AI. in Annapolis last week. I sailed it back from the dealer in 20 knots of wind. It did good - except down wind. Because of the missing boom it just flutters. When you pull it in it naturally turns up wind. After the 5th circle I furled and peddled until I could get a better point of sail. There is a web site that recommends a barber haul rigged to the amas. I was thinking of a wisker pole rigged with the paddle. Have you had similar experience?
Thanks for all the suggestions. I was out for my second sail off Dana Point in whitecap conditions. I have the new rudder but under heavy load on port tack the boat wants to come up into the wind. Got a lot of water in the cockpit!
I also heard of the aka braces coming off and boats immediately capsizing. I am working on a lockout device to keep the spring mech from being accidently pressed by sideways body movements.
I look forward to racing you guys!