Cruel or friendly?

My wife and I have been enjoying the TI in the windless days this summer pedaling around some of the popular kayak spots here is Seattle. When we have come across other kayaks I give them a friendly wave then have to keep from laughing as they try to figure out how to wave back with both hands clutching a paddle. I'm not trying to be mean. I have ridden motorcycles for years and bikers alway wave. I am leaning that kayakers don't wave, they smile, nod their heads or say "Hi". One more thing to learn about the TI/AI vs. your standard kayak.

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Yellow TI

Oh no! You've gotta wave! That's half the fun... watching the confused looks on their faces is half the fun!

About having a motorcycle and and AI/TI, I used to have a couple bikes and I realized while I was out today that the AI is exactly like a motorcycle. On a bike, you've got both hands and both feet on controls, and the AI is the same way.

Bike: Right hand - Throttle/front brake, Left hand - Clutch, right foot - rear brake, left foot - gearshift.

AI, Right hand - sail, left hand rudder, feet on the pedals. It's a similar experience in some ways.

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You don't have to worry or feel sorry for kayakers, at least the ones I know. You may need to watch for the kayaker's "wave" since it may be short. Any kayaker can hold their paddle in one hand while they give a courtesy wave. What kayakers don't like to do is miss a beat--it is just their nature. Also, in my regular multiday AI-kayak-camping trips, at least half the time, kayakers reach our destination faster than I do in my AI (and it is not because I am a poor sailor!)

The only thing sea kayakers may concede to a sailor is that the kayaker does more work--and that is the way most of them like it.

Keith

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

I got some envious glances in the 3 Rivers Race, as the speedy scullers and kayaks passed us, while we were happily munching snacks and having a drink! Also a "Go Hobie!"

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Cheers, Max ● TI: the "Yella Terra" ● Website: www.MadYakker.com ● YouTube: madyakkermax

Captain-Max,

I visited your web site blog, and your first item (3 Rivers Race--We made it!) clearly confirmed my statement: "You don't have to worry or feel sorry for kayakers...." Just be hopeful, that, sometimes, you (AI/TIs) can get to a designated destination before the sea kayakers. It is mildly embarrassing if you don't (but, you get used to it, and every one understands--it was the wind, dammit.)

Congrats to you and your daugther on finishing that race!

Keith

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

My only experience with kayakers was when I was in kayak mode on the banks of my local lake, having breakfast, when about a dozen experienced kayakers rocked up to do the same. 3 of them came over and had a yak and wanted to know the ins and outs of the Hobie, while the others sat 10 meters away and turned up their noses. I made sure I waved at them while I rocketed off with a drink in one hand and a muesli bar in the other.

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

More than once, I've been offshore in rough-ish conditions, congratulating myself on how daring I am and what a rugged boat the AI is, only to encounter sea kayakers out there, blithely riding the swell.

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Thanks Keith! I must confess to being a bit surprised at how easily the kayakers etc outpaced me, but then my fitness level does leave an awful lot to be desired.
Might have done a bit better if the TI had been in kayak mode - as it was we had head-on breezes all the way, and the furled sail and amas didn't help one bit!
Still, I bought the TI coz I like sailing, and I'm having a ball with it!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrJidZg-64I[/youtube]

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Cheers, Max ● TI: the "Yella Terra" ● Website: www.MadYakker.com ● YouTube: madyakkermax