Hurricanes and Kayaks

If I stop the submarining, what would I do for fun?

Yesterday's video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fps28lcZ17c

Nice videos!

BUT... that wasn't your PFD bungeed on the front hatch was it????

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

No, that was actually my wife's. Mine was on her front hatch.

I don't know what her excuse is. Mine is: the odds of my being separated from the boat are vanishingly unlikely, and in the event I was separated from it, I would not want my PFD on. I can swim much faster without it, and might have a chance at catching my boat, and I can swim much further without it, easily making wading water.

I wore my seatbelt trailering the boat to the ramp, if that helps.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

Here`s a simply idea that can could possibly save a life if you ever get separated from your boat...
If you own a 2011 (or soon to be later) AI (or a TI, when in solo mode) pony up for a few bucks and buy the steering knob for the handle. Attack a small carabiner, or a loop of Spectra line small (and tight enough) so it cannot slip off attached to that knob via a coiled paddle leash to your PFD.
If you have the misfortune to fall (or get swept) overboard, the force on the knob by your own body weight in the water will make your boat to do endless circles ...
(Sort of like the kill switch on a Jet ski, also used on any outboard to high speed Power Racing vessels). A stuck rudder with a locked sail is impossible to catch up with, unless the wind and wave action is so low, that there is no reason to fall out of the boat in the first place...

(If you have an earlier version, simply drill a tiny sideways hole near the end of the steering handle and loop thin Spectra line through it. Attach it solidly to a paddle leash. If your leash fittings are plastic, replace the fittings with metal for this intended purpose)

Hmm, needless to say, if the safety line is attached to your PFD not being worn, your end results could vary considerably,

Regards
Fred

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Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

I'm pretty sure I can stay in my boat. There was really only one time I thought I might leave it, and that was stuffing the boat into the back of a very steep wave all the way to the mast. My initial thought was, "Uh oh, this must be what it looks like right before you flip an AI!"

What actually happened was, the boat slowly floated back up toward the surface and when at appropriate AI submarining depths, it took off again!

Kayaking Bob once reported dunking his boat up to his armpits, but did not leave the boat. The only people who have involuntarily left AI's to my knowledge were in surf. I avoid surf.

Several TI owners have displayed photos showing their preference in sitting in the forward seat when solo sailing to minimize pounding. Sitting forward seems to put the TI's balance more horizontal. I have always preferred to use the rear seat.
I have not had the opportunity to run really big swell. We usually get really steep chop up here on inland lakes. Sitting to the rear seemed to pull the bow out of submarining faster than being forward.
Any comments from members who solo sail in big waves?

There is no question in my mind that sailing/fishing from the back seat has more advantages. When sailing with strong winds and rough water maintaining rudder authority can be a challenge. The closer the center of gravity of the TI is from the rudder the less force required to turn the boat. Entry into the wave is also improved with the center of gravity towards the back by giving the TI a slightly higher nose attitude. Also when sailing with another person it is best to sail in the rear seat so that the one controlling the main sheet line is in harms way of being hit by the line.

As for fishing, seating in the rear seat get you out of the way of the AKA's so you can gaff the fish. Also when fighting big fish the TI's stern will swing with the fish keeping the fish towards the back of the boat. The live well is also located in the back. The only disadvantage I can see from sitting in the back seat is cleating the furling line. I moved the furling line cleat to the rear crossbar to solve that problem.

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Steve

I agree with you Steve.

I felt much more comfortable riding these waves on our TIs than did the powerboats that were out in the ocean with us last week.

The ocean wave forecast for last Wednesday's sail was only 2' waves. But these pictures make them look a bit higher.

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Marc K
2010 Hobie Tandem Island
Boynton Beach, FL

Mark
That's because they were much higher! If the weatherman's lips are moving... He is lying!

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Steve