Hobie TI Fin Improvements 2019

[@lesp315]

All great ideas. Thank you for posting. It looks like that Lexan / polycarbonate shield works fantastic.

[@Adventure_Bum]

Love that splash guard!

[@johnrinaldi2116]

Starting about two years ago, I did some similar experiments by adding surfboard skegs to some cassette plug drive well inserts. The problem I ran into was that the tabs on the cassette plugs are not strong enough to withstand the lateral pressure and tend to break off.

[@gbmeyers22]

Correct. The plastic tabs broke off recently. I replaced them with a 6" x 5/16 bolt, run through the entire cassette plug.

[@thegotmilktogochanterelle467]

I add 4 hydrofoils removable (strap on) on Ama(s), one just before the forward hatch and another just behind aft hatch. All are cargo strapped on with no new holes in boat. Results are Ama does not submerge in higher wind conditions and the main hull foils lift boat creating a planing hull conditions. Over 400 pound equipment, crew 9mph actual wind on beam reach (90° to wind) 7.2mph no waves over bow and Ama depth 3/4.

[@henrygabriel700]

can you show a video please? that would be awesome;)

[@hobielbnysusanclark1660]

WOW! Any videos?

[@MegaPeedee]

I miss the speed of the Windrider 16 but prefer the TI (I'm on my second) even though it is not as fast. I have thought that Hobie could improve the TI and AI with a few mods more than they have done so far, and these mods of yours are very interesting, I think. The centreline fin is rigid so one would have to remember to remove it before getting into very shallow water (which I sometimes encounter where I sail) to avoid damge. Perhaps a 'lift-up' fin through the plug could be another mod? I wonder if Hobie designers and engineers have thought about mods such as yours and if there is anything in the pipeline for future TI and AI. Thanks for the video.

[@randyberry8524]

Thats so kool, im gonna make one of them soon as i get a new rudder, or find something else to use on the bottom of that plug!

[@claudemartin4257]

Hi Gary, Nice modifications. I have a quick question. Can the tape used to secure the fins be removed and re-positioned? Also, I noticed that you've fabricated a windshield. Can you provide information it? My old boat was a Windrider 16. I fabricated a windshield for it and it helped extend my sailing seasons. I'd like to do the same for my AI and your's is the first I've seen. Thanks, Barry Martin

[@gbmeyers22]

Yes. I used very adhesive Flex Tape, as I didn't want to risk epoxy to the AMA.

[@gbmeyers22]

Re: splash shield - about $10 of costs. 1'x5' lexan, 3 small bungies. Cut to shape. Works fine and has lasted several years.

[@claudemartin4257]

Thank you for the information. I've seen flex tape around but never bought it. I'm going to get some as well as the Lexan and get going on a windshield.

[@belphag0r]

Nice work! The fins on the amas seem to really improve stability. Hobie should incorporate this idea. Did you use surfboard skegs or what type of fin are they?

[@gbmeyers22]

I used the bottom skegs (fins) from an inflatable SUP. $11, from NRS.

[@Piratepeteoo]

Hi Gary if you were to put fins on each side of the hulls but more towards the bow under the AMAS you would get more lift ,,,might be an interesting idea 💡 😀

[@gbmeyers22]

Tried that. Yes, it did work, but it affected loading and unloading from my trailer.

[@Piratepeteoo]

@gbmeyers22 ,,,,okay well then you need to find a way to make it work mate 👍,,,you could try each side of the bow left and right with the same angle ,,you can try to modify the trailer 😉

[@touayaaj84]

Are you noticing less sumbarine on your amas at higher knots and stronger winds? Is the fins on the ama increasing your speeds?

[@gbmeyers22]

Amas plane higher on water... Less submergence - mast stays more erect and catches more wind.

[@SuperBardley]

@@gbmeyers22 How about results on your gps, any improvements noted in the numbers?

[@gbmeyers22]

@@SuperBardley I did a layman's comparison test on a high wind day, using my GPS. I picked up 1.5-2kts (from 7 knots, to almost 9 knots) with the side ama fins. I made several runs along the same stretch of the lake, and the difference was quite noticeable. The fact that the ama remains about 1-2 inches higher on the downwind side seems to create overall less drag, despite the fins adding some drag. (Similar to the planers on a motor boat.) And the fins also caused the mast to remain more vertical, thus catching more wind.

[@seewind]

Love the ideas and experiments (just what the TI is made for!). How is the splash guard holding up? I have tried a few with limited success.

[@gbmeyers22]

The windshield splash guard is still working, after many years! I'm actually on my third generation of TI's, and the same splash guard worked on all of them.

[@seewind]

@@gbmeyers22 Ha, I am picking up my 3rd TI at the end of the week! Send me the plans or make me one for $? How does the splash guard work in higher winds? Thanks in advance.

[@gbmeyers22]

​@@seewind It's quite easy to make. Run down to the local hardware store and buy a 12" x 60" piece of Lexan (flexible plastic). Have them cut it. Then place it in the approximate place in front of the mast, and mark where you need to cut out places for the AMA bar and main sheet ropes. Then drill small holes (one each above the ama bar) to thread through a bungee cord loop. You should also install a small hook just fore of the mast hole on top of hull, to hold a third bungee that holds the middle of the splash shield in place. I'll send an old video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zn2Zmnaondhrh9E

[@rickc303]

@@gbmeyers22 can you give a breakdown/description of each generation

[@NapalmTK4622]

How well did this mod last over time? Just wondering just how much more PPI is exerted on the stress points and if the added stress wore anything out faster or break over time. Great idea by the way.

[@gbmeyers22]

I have since replaced this 2015 TI with a 2021 TI. I mounted the fins on the outside of the AMAs, still roughly in the middle, as this seems to give the better balanced lift. I still guessed at the lift angle, but it seems to be working great. Even in high winds and fast sailing, the AMA tends not to submerge.

[@danketterman1495]

Hi Gary, When you're sailing along, do you notice if the skag you put on the amas loses lift and then followed by a large rooster tail or wake from it in a ventilation state?

[@gbmeyers22]

I don't quite think I get enough speed to create those effects. I've only noticed the slight lift, with no noticable drag. Perhaps it depends upon the angle (tilt) of the fin, which was pure estimation on my part. An improvement might be an ability to adjust the angle.

[@danketterman1495]

@@gbmeyers22 I got a reply back from another engineer here who is at the top of rank, he offered no answers to my questions, he simply said "cool modifications." So I gathered he has no intentions of pursuing the idea. It is a very small ROI considering a lot of our market is geared towards the fishing side of business. Sorry. I don't want to discourage you from further improvements. Please keep up the effort and spread the knowledge thru all sources of social media.

[@SuperBardley]

@@danketterman1495 I am a dedicated coastal fisherman, having both a Revo-16 and a 2019 TI. Judging from my years of experience in both boats’ cockpits, i find Hobie’s product literature which describes both boats as ultimate fishing craft are completely made up. The real problem is that Hobie has silly, romantic marketing ideas that are not based in any reality, and these “features” consume the critically valuable and MISSING horizontal surfaces that are needed to rig the boats for fishing. Example #1: Those utterly useless cup holders that don’t fit any water bottles I’ve found, but even if the diameter were correct, they are too shallow to securely grip the bottles. Example #2: The nearly useless side pockets. Both examples reduce the gunwales to a thinness that cannot be utilized for anything and they are in the critically important arm’s-reach zone. Hobie should have shaped those combined areas into the same thing the Outbacks have. Or, Hobie should quit pumping the boats as fishing crAft, which they are poor at doing.

[@danketterman1495]

Hi@@SuperBardley I am sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction with design features built into your kayaks. I will pass this on to the marketing and fishing teams for consideration. Have a Hobie Day

[@liefjorgen]

@@SuperBardley I wouldn't have really considered this as a "fishing kayak" - more of an all-rounder safe and fun water vehicle.

[@aarem01]

Do you sit in the front seat while sailing alone?

[@gbmeyers22]

I typically sit in the front seat (I weigh about 145), but I add a 20lb weight bag to the rear storage. I realize the extra weight bag might slow me down, but the relative balance seems to reduce nose plow.

[@iceman1036]

Why did you choose the mid location of the fins on the amas vs. closer to the front?

[@gbmeyers22]

Mid AMA location provided an evenly balanced lift.

[@peternohlmans4588]

hi Gary the splash guard can you make one please i cant make it my self one of my hands is stuffed it dost work any more can i buy from you Im in south Australia

[@gbmeyers22]

These can be made in an hour, with just some Lexan or plexiglass, a sharp drill bit, and three small bungee cords.