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Tandem Islands in the Everglades Challenge
http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=21876		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Roadrunner [ Mon Mar 08, 2010 10:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Tandem Islands in the Everglades Challenge
Chekika made us aware of the two TIs in the Everglades Challenge (in progress) this year. Here's some more info. Penguin Man and Ocean Diva are TI tandem entrants in the 300 mile Everglades challenge and "Pelican" is a TI solo entrant in the 1000 mile Ultimate (including a 40 mile portage), of which the Everglades Challenge is merely the first part. These Water Tribe events are always exciting -- anyone who manages to finish becomes a member of a very exclusive club; my hat's off to them!

Lots of boats have dropped out for various reasons but both TIs are still running strong. I just ran across a log entry in which both of these outstanding TI crews have distinguished themselves. It reads as follows:

SaltyFrog Monday, March 08, 2010, 2:59:00 PM
Category: General Comment Keyword:

A couple of incidents brought out the best of "Kindred Spirits."

Sir Percival and Blackwater Night's Wayfarer 16 sailboat capsized off shore near Venice the first day. Nick "Pelican" Hall came across them and loaded the two large fellows onto his Hobie Tandem Island and ferried them to the beach. In the process he damaged his boat and had to have parts delivered from Tampa. After repairing his boat on the beach, he resumed the race, arriving at Checkpoint 1 midday Sunday. Nick was concerned that the parts delivery would be a rule violation, never mind that he performed a difficult rescue at sea.

CaptJackOtter suffered a broken rudder on his high-tech trimaran and limped into Checkpoint 1. He examined the damaged rudder linkage and was just about to call it quits when Jim "PenguinMan" Czarnowski, the Hobie engineer piloting a Hobie Tandem Island with his wife Elena "OceanDiva," took a look. Jim secured some 1/4" aluminum stock and cut and drilled a replacement link, no simple job. He installed the link and got CaptJackOtter on his way.

These Hobie racers took time away from the event to assist others and showed selfless concern for their fellow racers.
Author:  Chekika [ Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tandem Islands in the Everglades Challenge
Nice update, RoadRunner. I plan to post some pictures today.

I do need to comment about the comment praising the Hobie people. Pelican (Nick Hall) helped 2 people in a capsized boat, and they were able to continue the race. Jim Czarnowski (PenquinMan) is a delightful young man & his wife, Elena (OceanDiva) is charming. Jim skills repairing a WETA beach cat allowed it to continue the race. This comradeship and support, however, is typical of all WaterTribe EC participants.

Pelican, using an AI tandem is in the Ultimate Florida Challenge--a race circumnigating Florida. He was one of the last to leave the starting line, but is in the middle of the pack now--even after helping the capsized boat. He clearly has some skills for this type of adventure racing.

PenquinMan/OceanDiva have moved up towards the front of the pack--doing a great job.

Keith
Author:  mickeymouse [ Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tandem Islands in the Everglades Challenge
Thanks for the posts guys. It's amazing to read about such unselfish good sportsmanship in what must surely be a very competitive event. Look forward to reading more and hearing the final results 8) :wink:
Author:  TxYackMan [ Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tandem Islands in the Everglades Challenge
Thanks for all the updates. Enjoying reading/seeing the TI in action.
Author:  Chekika [ Thu Mar 11, 2010 8:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tandem Islands in the Everglades Challenge
Pelican's rescue. Pelican actually made a video of his rescue. He picked up 2 people on his AI Tandem and ferried them to safety on shore.

Here is the video clip: http://www.watertribe.com/Events/ChallengeViewer.aspx Pick off Pelican’s video. This is definitely worth watching.

Keith
Author:  mmiller [ Thu Mar 11, 2010 9:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tandem Islands in the Everglades Challenge
Can you believe that first guy he picks up? The guy was whipped and very lucky that Pelican was there. He was separated from the boat and really would have been in trouble. He looks extremely fatigued just laying face down on the TI. Wow!
Author:  mmiller [ Thu Mar 11, 2010 10:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tandem Islands in the Everglades Challenge
Surfing down wind swells...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGFtaeILvk0&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
Author:  KayakingBob [ Thu Mar 11, 2010 10:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tandem Islands in the Everglades Challenge
They definitely could use a sprayskirt! :lol:

Great boat (where's mine!, In white please.) :)
Author:  Yakaholic [ Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tandem Islands in the Everglades Challenge
Great Video.

I can't believe they didn't bother to plug up the mirage drive hole with a cassette plug :shock:

Look at the water gushing it at Ocean Dive's feet at about 1:50 min mark.

They could gain more speed with the plug in.. yes?
Author:  Chekika [ Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tandem Islands in the Everglades Challenge
Yes, they could use a plug--the plugs were on the beach in Ft Desoto. Maybe like when we did our Flamingo to Chokoloskee trip in Jan, they just did not bring the plugs. In our case we had 3 days straight of downwind sailing--I carry the plug now.

Also, in that video, note that OceanDiva is sitting as far back on the stern as possible to keep the boat from diving as they surf down the waves. It doesn't take much imagination to think how much the AI Single would submarine if it had a jib in those conditions.

Keith
Author:  chrisj [ Thu Mar 11, 2010 5:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tandem Islands in the Everglades Challenge
Chekika wrote:
Also, in that video, note that OceanDiva is sitting as far back on the stern as possible to keep the boat from diving as they surf down the waves. It doesn't take much imagination to think how much the AI Single would submarine if it had a jib in those conditions.
Keith

Funny you should say that Keith. I was out with a friend demo-ing the AI the other day. He was driving and I was kneeling in the back giving guidance. Anyway, we ended up sailing home in a strong following wind, riding short-period wind waves without a sprayshield - ideal conditions for submarining. As it turned out, the boat functioned magnificently, riding the waves with the bow well raised. It was the best I have seen it perform in those conditions. So all it needs is 170 pounds of ballast in the back to solve the submarining issue :lol:.
Author:  Roadrunner [ Thu Mar 11, 2010 11:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tandem Islands in the Everglades Challenge
In really rough seas a plug is not always a good idea. There is an excellent possibility that the TI was heavily loaded with provisions, spare parts and other equipment. In that case, water may have been coming in the front cockpit faster than it could drain with a plug. 8)
Author:  Chekika [ Fri Mar 12, 2010 7:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tandem Islands in the Everglades Challenge
Good point, RR. Minutes before the race, Jim Czarnowski had the front hatch open and I was surprised how little was there. These WaterTribe people travel so far each day (40-100 miles), they are literally within a day or 2 of water and supplies all the time--they don't have to carry much water (we carry 7-8 gallons/each on some of our kayak and AI trips.) They can even grab a bite to eat at the 3 required checkpoints. Jim and Elena completed the 300 miles in 4.5 days--so, they were at a checkpoint every 1.5 days or so.

Keith
Author:  Upset_Nerd [ Sun Mar 21, 2010 7:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tandem Islands in the Everglades Challenge
Just thought I'd add that there's been a bunch of new videos uploaded, some new from Pelican in this channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/WaterTribeAdventures

And also a bunch from Jim and Elena in theirs:
http://www.youtube.com/user/jimczarnowski
Author:  Yakass [ Tue Mar 23, 2010 9:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tandem Islands in the Everglades Challenge
Quote:
So all it needs is 170 pounds of ballast in the back to solve the submarining issue


Most certainly, weight distribution plays a huge role, which is why we spent a fair bit of time experimenting with it during the Fraser Isl expedition a few of us embarked on last year. I've refined my load out a fair bit since, with more smaller dry bags to allow a high degree of flexibility in packing and weight distribution. I've also repositioned my rod holders from up front to behind for the same reason.

With expeditions in mind, it definitely pays to place the bulkier, yet relatively light items up front - self inflating matresses, sleeping bag, spare clothes, etc. Almost everything else goes into the centre hatch, in the stern hatch, or in a large waterproof back in the rear storage well. Works great.
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