General experiences in sailing the TI and questions for Matt

Dear Matt and Hobie AI, TI community,

Thank you for the educational discussions about many aspects of the TI and navigation control (rudder, center of effort, resitance, etc) issues

I have sailed the AI 20 times for over 1 year and the TI for 5 times over the last month in the protected waters of the lynnhaven bay in Virginia Beach. Some observations and questions to add to the discussion particularly concern the the TI rudder issues:

I have thoroughly enjoyed my experiences with both of these boats and the TI is particulary enjoyable to be able to sail with two.

First the boat came nearly perfect with only two issues.
1. one of the mirage drives has a slight rocking action when properly inserted. Although it seems to work perfectly it does not fit as snugly as the other drive. What do you recommend (a spacer of 1-2 mm to place between the drive tip and the plastic depression in the boat)
2. The famous TI rudder issue. In my experience the rudder required some adjustment since turning to starboard is not as precise or easy as to turning to port whether operated as a kayak or with full amas and sails. I retensioned the starboard line by loosening the screw on the starboard side and was able to get the same angle of turning to port or starboard, with a modest amount of tension of the downline (locked). The performance of the TI was much improved but turning to the right is not a fluid and precise as to the left, probably for the reasons described in many previous posts. If the rudder is locked too tightly it will always snap to port (probably for the reasons so well described in previous posts.) With a properly adjusted rudder and sailing in winds under 10 knots one can confidently execute turns to port or starboard. However, with progressively higher winds you must reef in the sail or you will have difficulty turning to port.
Questions
1. Would a larger rudder help with the turning or would the increased forces on the rudder be transferred to the hull and damage it?
2. Does solo always go in the rear (aft) seat? what about the positioning of two people of very different weights in the tandem. Heavier person in the rear? How will this affect the center of lateral resistance and effort? Would the front person work the sails and the aft person work the rudder. What are the operational design conditions of the boat? max wind and waves?

Thanks,

Don

I will speak only from my experiences with TI, your mileage may vary.

I have worked the TI from both from and back seat both with and without passengers and with heavier and lighter. IMO, the best arrangement is heavier person in back and when solo in back. One can control all aspects of the boat from the back including furling, steering, raise/lower rudder. Ok, dropping/raising the dagger board requires a little work from the back but not that big of a deal. When I sail by myself I use the backseat. Keeps bow up slightly and less spray.

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

On the rocking of a mirage drive, I've used in an AI in the past with this problem, a short piece of scrap garden hose (1/2"), pushed over the front "nose" of the drive. Choose a thickness just enough to cushion the drive without interfering with the click-n-go mounting.

On the other TI questions, most are probably personal preference, as I prefer the front seat, but the boats trims better (AI & TI) with more of the weight in the rear.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

I have sailed the AI for three years and the TI about 25 times in the last 7 weeks as I go sailing as soon as the wind picks up every day there is wind. I have sailed with two people which is a blast since share the experience and solo most of the time. In both cases on the TI, I prefer the back seat. In solo mode, the TI seems to lift in the front if you are in the back and almost plane when the wind kicks in. I sold the AI, but for the first few weeks, I never went out on the AI because we have light wind here on an inland lake during the summer and the TI seems to go faster in light wind and certainly is more fun. I also can see the tell tale with less neck strain.

Bob

Rubber surgical tubing works too.

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The Wind Is Your Friend...