TI: My first day - Was a bad day.

You ever have a bad day? I mean really bad?

I debated whether or not to post my experiences from yesterday but, in the end I decided it is just life and we experience things and learn things (sometimes). I like to think this happened for a reason and that somehow/someway some good will become of it. For the life of me, I do not know what that good is right now. Only time will tell. LOL.

Anyway my story from yesterday.

Picked up the TI and trailer from ACK. Awesome. Doug was great the entire process from start to finish.



Then horrible tragedy!!!
Somehow my electric gate started closing as I drove through - I felt a tug and looked up in time to see the trailer and kayak flying around violently. I broke the trailer, gate and TI. I cannot tell you the sinking feeling I had. I did do my best to keep it together and deal with the situation at hand. 20 years ago, I would have been in a blind rage.
Two things happened, the gate caught on one side of the trailer and I think the other side got caught on the post and me oblivious to the fact drove through - I only felt a slight tug and saw the kayak doing this violent 180. I knew it was not going to be good.



12 hours later I was able to get the trailer back together and back into decent shape.
I took the center brace and used it for the back brace till I can get a replacement.



Here is the damage to the TI. Needs a need drum and pin.


And to top off the day - my mom was in a car accident yesterday (she is ok) and my truck would not start later that day.

I am hoping day 2 will go a bit better.

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

Feelin' yer pain, bro.
Looks like you are proactive about bad situations though.

Oh wow, that is no good. I thought you were going to say you ripped a hole or bent the boat in half! A broken rudder pin should be cheap though.

I would have a welder check the trailer out or maybe hobie?

Sorry about all the mishaps, I hate those days too! Hopefully you can get on the water soon and get that cheese eating grin back on your face!

JG

Yeah, Mark, THAT was a bad day. Fortunately, nothing you can't fix--and, when done, you will have learned a lot. That is the good part. A year or 2 from now, it will just be a good story to tell on the beach or around a camp fire.

Good luck on all the rest of the days this year when you will be using your TI.

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

Oh WoW!

I think I can guarantee your second day (when you get all your parts installed) will be Much, MUCH better!

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

Thanks all for the positive feedback. Greatly appreciated.
Definitely one to remember (or never forget).

I got the cradles back on and everything looks good.

Hope to be back in business soon.

BTW: Nice breeze today and I cannot sail - that is very painful!!!

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

Any time I gain possesion of something new...something like this happens, bought a new truck ran it against a concrete pillar on the first day....new windsurf board ran up on a reef day 1, drop the new camera into the sea. Its the way it goes, you realise the fragility of stuff. Its actually a good way to start.....over and done with on day one...theres nothing your going to do to that boat that you didnt do on day 1 and, actually, what you did isnt that bad!...Dont feel too gutted its you thats important, you can have a master blasted of an A1 but if your not there to skipper it its no more than a hunk of plastic...imagine if YOU had got the gate closed on you! You are the number 1 component you are just fine. Think of it as an EPIPHANY... !!!!!

I like your thoughts. Thanks.

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

Mark - My heart sank when reading your story. I can't imagine how that felt, but it sounds like you kept your head about you. Congratulations on that and you can certainly feel good about that aspect. I must say that I felt much better when you showed the repairable damage to the TI. I was certain that you were going to have to replace the hull or other major part(s). Hopefully the parts arrive soon and you are on the water before you know it.

Actually, you could probably steer with a paddle (like you do with a rudderless kayak) if you wanted to, especially if the wind isn't too strong. I read another post where a TI owner had to do this when their rudder failed when in the water. It would be easier with two people on board. If it didn't take 12 hours to drive to your location, I would be there to help you try it out.

Best of luck.

Mark

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Mark
2010 Tandem Island
2010 Adventure
Hobie Cat 14T
Home built sailboat (in progress)

Edmond, OK

Well since the other guy lives 12 hours away you tell me where I need to go and I'll ride shotgun!!! I'm in Houston and wouldn't you know it I have just enough free time to lend you a hand!!!

But really man I'm glad to see everything is fixable and that everyone is ok. Like posted before....you were going to cringe every time you set it down on concrete rub it against something...you get the point. The worst is done and now you can move on.

Again...I'm free tomorrow and the weather looks nice!!!

People who are talking about steering an AI/TI w/ their paddle ought to try it--if they haven't already done it. My one experience with my AI in winds probably 14-15 mph, was that it is not easy. Yeah, just put your paddle in and hold tight, BUT it takes some strength, AND if you have several miles to go it gets tiring. In my case, I had 5 mi to go, and after 1 mi I had had enough. I was a half mile off shore, so I simply landed, changed my broken rudder pin, and enjoyed the sail back. Probably, if you are in no hurry to get back, so you can reduce the pressure on your "paddle rudder," it will not be as hard. In such a case it may be doable. In my case, I was trying to catch a friend, so I was trying to make the best speed possible--it was tough.

Keith

_________________
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

Can someone shoot a pic of the rudder assembly similar to this pic?
Thanks a bunch!

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

Don't feel too bad - everything can be fixed. We all have trailer stories. About 30 years ago I had a 14' Columbia day sailor that we trailer-sailed.

Sequence:

1) Dropped it in the water at the yacht club one day, forgetting the transom plugs.
2) Tied it to the end of the dock and went inside the clubhouse for a beer.
3) Came out and saw the boat half-full of water - ran to get the trailer on the ramp.
4) Pulled the boat onto the trailer, pulled the trailer out of the water.
5) The weight of the boat/water bent the trailer axle.
6) After draining the boat, I was so pissed at myself that I slammed the truck in gear and drove down the marina row with the sign saying "No stepped masts"
7) My mast promtly struck overhead power line serving the main live-aboard pier, severing the electrical power, and welding a huge hole in my aluminum mast, which was then shaped like a pretzel.

Look at it this way - you don't have to go into a clubhouse for the next few years and face a dozen guys who remember the 90 degree day you killed the power to their houseboats... these are the days that we look back on and are simply glad that no one got hurt. And this one wasn't even your fault - so cheer up and call the insurance guy!

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Dave Fick
current boats:
'10 Hobie TI
'06 Hobie Getaway
'95 OK Scrambler (5)
'10 Walker Bay 310/Tohatsu 9.8
'07 Yam VX110 (2)
'08 Carolina 2590/Yam 115 (aquaculture)
'08 Judge 22/Honda 150
'05 World Cat DC250/Honda 150s
'08 Island Packet SP Cruiser

Here you go...

_________________
Dave Fick
current boats:
'10 Hobie TI
'06 Hobie Getaway
'95 OK Scrambler (5)
'10 Walker Bay 310/Tohatsu 9.8
'07 Yam VX110 (2)
'08 Carolina 2590/Yam 115 (aquaculture)
'08 Judge 22/Honda 150
'05 World Cat DC250/Honda 150s
'08 Island Packet SP Cruiser

Thanks Dave!

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.