Using a Tandem Island alone

Hi guys,

I'm trying to decide if I should buy a TI or "just" an AI.

I will be using it for offshore fishing.
I just thought it might be nice to have the TI in case I wanted to go sailing with girlfriend/friend/relative every now and then. But I will be fishing alone 95% of the time.
So that’s why I’ve got a few questions…

How does the TI handle when single-handed?
Can it be sailed from both the front and back seats?
How does it peddle when alone?

Well I think you can see where I’m going with this….
Is the TI suitable for single-handed use when fishing offshore?

Thanks for your help!

Cheers,
Luke

When you get yours, you can tell us! (It just started shipping, without mast and sail so far, so we don't know)

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

I can tell you what everyone knows already and that is I doubt if you can solo-haul and cartop your TI like you can an AI.
If alone 95% of the time you may be wishing you had bought an AI and to heck with everybody else, maybe just get the tramps for passenger days?
If it capsizes can you right a TI alone? Recent video shows its not so easy even for a healthy young man on an AI in calm water and zero wind.

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Fair Skies, Max.

Skymax, from Coffs I see...it's where I'll be using the yak mostly. Some good points there. Thanks!

I'm not too worried about transporting it...I would remove the amas and getting a ~50kg hull on a low car shouldn't be too hard with the right aids (hullevator or similar).
I was planning on getting tramps. Would it then be possible to take a 2nd person on an AI?
I'm fairly big…6'2 @ 95kgs...not sure if an AI could take a second person!?

Skymax, from Coffs I see...it's where I'll be using the yak mostly. Some good points there. Thanks!

I'm not too worried about transporting it...I would remove the amas and getting a ~50kg hull on a low car shouldn't be too hard with the right aids (hullevator or similar).
I was planning on getting tramps. Would it then be possible to take a 2nd person on an AI?
I'm fairly big…6'2 @ 95kgs...not sure if an AI could take a second person!?

Skymax has a good point. I always get a chuckle as I watch sea kayakers practicing their eskimo roll--it is always done on flat water w/ careful setup. Now, I think it unlikely that the AI will capsize in anything other than gale force winds, but in those conditions it may be very difficult for a single person to upright.

In practical daily usage, the problem is going to be hauling it around. It weighs close to 200 lbs rigged--that is a load if you are trying to move it around on the beach. Cartopping?? Maybe you should buy into a bodybuilding course when you buy your boat.

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

Yeah, the TI compromises one of the AI's greatest features - its versatility. It's great being able to throw the boat on top of the car and to launch from virtually anywhere. If you just want to take a guest out occasionally, the AI does a passable job. I recently took a (male) friend out on my AI. Our combined weight was 363 pounds. The boat sat low in the water and it was a wet ride, but we had a great time and ended up staying out for several hours.

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I may use mine a bit solo, but I gave in and am buying a trailer to hall it and an AI around with. If more than 2 boats going out, then I have the hands to load the others on the trucks rack.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

I'm certainly planning on transporting my TI on my trailer. I'm about to have the drawbar extended approx another metre to accommodate the longer TI. I'll also consider modifying the trailer to carry 2 boats.
I still have the roofrack option for transporting when towing a caravan or similar.........
To answer the original question, judging by your envisaged useage, you would be better off with an AI

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Mickey
2016 AI Hibiscus
purchased NEW Nov 2021 - My 5th
Adventure Island Sailing since 2008

Until the TI is reviewed real world (Hobie why hasn't Roadrunner been given one yet? ) it's impossible to say just how difficult transportation will be. A 50kg hull which is longer and narrower, may prove easier to handle than our Oasis, even though it is 20kg or so heavier.
I have decided to hang on to my original little modified Aunger trailer though, just in case!
PS- Mickey, the advice I got from Carlex Easytrailer was to extend the rear of their 880GA boat trailer, rather than the drawbar.

This question was one of my biggest concerns as well when contemplating the purchase. However, I have purchased the TI knowing that I will probably be soloing more often than not (and car topping). I'll let you know how it goes as soon as that mast and sail gets delivered. Even though I foresee a lot of solo trips, I already have 3 people lined up to accompany me on outings, so it may take a few weeks to get a good idea of the soloing characteristics. Depending how much my wife enjoys it, it may be even longer before I get a good solo test, however, I'll at least be able to tell you how easy it is to load on a rack solo!

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the input.
Still not sure though which way to go....oh decisions, decisions....am also trying to decide on a rod and reel (will probably post those queries soon too).

@ Flaneur,
Please let us know how it goes! I won’t be buying for a while yet, so there's still plenty of time until I need your full report!

What kind of fishing are you planning to do? I'm waiting to hear some of the reviews for the tandem island as well.

I plan to fish offshore, around ocean headlands and reefs. Will be live bait and lure trolling for mackerel, tuna, kings etc. That's another reason why I thought the TI might be a good idea, since it's a bit bigger it'll give that little bit more security when offshore....but like the others say; It could also be more dangerous if it doesn't sail well single-handed or capsizes when alone. Having said that, there are a few simple tricks around (used in dingy sailing) in order to upright a capsized dingy i.e. kayak like the TI.

Stringy - thanks for the heads up - but I have the 8 x 4 Carlex Easytrailer which I originally bought to transport my Honda Goldwing. I already have a 1 mtr extension on the drawbar which facilitates using it for the AI. This works very well and the drawbar can be easily slid back inside the front bracket to restore it to its original dimensions. The only noticeable difference is that the trailer is front heavy and therefore a bit heavier to manually move around.
I hadn't considered any extension to the rear - it would certainly balance the trailer better but not entirely sure how I would achieve this - whereas the drawbar extension is straighforward.
Just had a look at the 880GA boat trailer and can see why a drawbar extension may not be the beast option for it.
Can't see too many problems with extending my drawbar on the 8 x 4.......

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Mickey
2016 AI Hibiscus
purchased NEW Nov 2021 - My 5th
Adventure Island Sailing since 2008