cooldudecaptain wrote:
Try towing your TI for six hours in the rain on the oily Interstate (w/semi's, etc.) without a cover and see what it looks like when you arrive. I had a shoemaker cut and stitch a slot at the rear of the cover (make yourself a pattern). Now I can tow the TI without removing the rudder - it sticks up through the cover. Using the 6 attachment points and straps on the cover it tows very well.
While stored on the my trailer, on the beach, I cover it each night and it keeps nosey pinheads from investigating. I also used hog rings and permanently attached one end of each bungee on one side of the cover. When the cover's removed the bungees stay attached and don't have to be collected, stored, etc.
bill
Bill, I annually tow my 2 AIs over 1000 mi/yr over Florida expressways & 2-lane highways w/o ever noticing any dirt, oil, or grit on them. I just have not found it to be a problem. Again, I see no reason to use a cover--extra expense and great overkill in my mind. If your special use requires a cover, fine; I just have never had a need. Also, I have never removed the rudder when I've trailered our boats. On my one boat with a vertical rudder, I simply bungee the rudder to the sail/mast (in it's bag strapped to the top of the boat).
If you were storing your boat on your car roof or on the trailer outdoors, then it would be appropriate to have some sort of sun protection. One thing you have to be careful of here in FL is the heat. A cover on a boat in the sun aggravates (adds to) the heat and possible serious distortion of your boat.
tonystott wrote:
I differ from Keith, in that unlike single hull kayaks, we are highly unlikely to invert our Islands , and I rate the probability of being knocked unconscious as extremely low, so I favour manually inflatable PFDs. At least here, the authorities have been really pushing these to boaties, so they are available for as low as $60, making them cheaper than other types. They also stow easily in the hull (in drybags is best).
Tony, in this country, the authorities also push inflatables. Why? Not because they are better, but because people wear them, whereas they tend not to wear standard PFD. I certainly agree that it is unlikely that you will be knocked off your AI/TI, but, since I often sail alone, any accident can be serious. I've even been known to stand up in my boat to pee--dumb, but I've done it. I think there is some statistic that most sailors who get separated from their boats, and are found, have their pants zipper down...hummm. So, accidents happen, and a standard PFD is safer--as long as you wear it.
I'm not the most safety-conscious person, but, where I am, I try to shift the odds in my favor.
Huh, Tony, you say you are storing your inflatable PFD in a dry bag?? Not wearing it?? Oh, well, you are probably just inherently a safer guy than I am.
Keith
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