About to order my Ti

Hi all,

I'm in the UK.

After saving hard for over a year now I have finally managed to get together enough for a Ti (was going to be an Ai but then changed mind so had to save some more). I am a sea kayaker and have explored Anglesey on quite a few trips. Most notable trips for me have been Conwy to Puffin island (most easterly point of Anglesey) and Holyhead to Skerries (island off Anglesey far North West).

Here's a map...



Prevailing winds are westerlies.

I think this area will be great for the Ti. Anglesey allows for a variety of different kayaking/sailing including often calm east coast, wild overfall riddled west coast and allsorts in between - some very fast tides with the Menai Straits (between island and mainland) often running at 5 knts plus (did it in the dark once kayaking... what a rush that was). I also have the estuary outside my house with Conwy Castle across the other side (I can launch 200m from the house). One can catch the tide up the estuary for miles and return with the return tide.

Anyway - about to place the order over the next few days for delivery early in the New Year.

Thanks to everyone on the forum for all advice (which caused me to move from Ai to Ti... can always get an Ai next year as well

One question only: What should I ensure I buy with the TI? I will get tramps I think... anything else to order seeing as the dealer will have plenty of time... spares...? any recommended additions...?

Thank you.


Conwy Castle

I have an AI, not a TI, but I'd say the tramps are well worthwhile, and I'd think about a cart of some sort. I use the cart all the time to move my AI around, and the TI is a much heavier boat to move around on your own.

Other then that, CONGRATS on your new purchase! Enjoy it, and welcome to the Hobie family!

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I agree with augaug. In fact I'd say the tramps are essential on the TI to fully make use of its great versatility. With one person hiking out you can sail in much stronger winds without having to furl the sail and you can also carry lots of gear on them.
A cart is also essential. Either the HD cart with pneumatic wheels or if you need to go over sand, the Trax2, which will take pneumatic wheels as well.
The Hobie HD wheel upgrade kit will fit the Trax2 with a bit of modifying.
I would also consider the iComfort seat pad. It makes a huge difference on long trips.

Thanks.

Will be ordering tramps.

Will research comfy seat.

I have this trolley: http://www.board-worx.com/c-tug-kayak-trolley.html
So I suppose I should try it out...

Anybody got this one?:
http://www.wheeleez.com/kayak-cart-beach.php

I'm also looking at getting a Garmin GPSMAP® 78s
Anybody got one?

Thanks all

J

Julian,

I have had my TI since May and don't have any tramps on it. I am almost finished making a set. As soon as the plastic buckles arrive I can try them out.

Here is my feelings about them. I will not use them sailing solo because I don't plan to spend all my time sitting on them and I think they will increase the tipping force of the wind.

Yesterday I was sailing along in probably 10 mph winds with gusts to around 20. All of a sudden a huge gust hit me and buried the port ama and lifted the starboard ama so high I felt like the main hull was starting to come out of the water. I released my main sheet and all was well but it was close. If I had a trampoline installed on the starboard side with no weight on it I think the added "sail" area might have caused me to get knocked down.

When the TI is going to weather the windward ama is quite high normally and looking at it I always wonder what it would be like to have a trampoline up there.

On the other side of the coin a friend sails his AI with them all the time but he also hikes out on them when going to weather to keep his boat flat and I don't want to work that hard.

Someone on the trip took a picture of me going to weather and if I can get a copy I'll post it to give you an idea of what the TI looks like in a little wind.

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Jerry D.
St. Johns, Florida
2010 TI
2008 AI

I'd highly recommend spray skirts - saves you from getting facefuls of the green stuff.

Kayaking Bob's wife makes an excellent set!

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Cheers, Max ● TI: the "Yella Terra" ● Website: www.MadYakker.com ● YouTube: madyakkermax

Here is the picture of me going to weather:



Try to imagine a trampoline adding to the lifting and tipping force to the windward side of the boat. In this picture I was sailing comfortably. In the incident I talked about earlier my windward ama was a lot higher.

Max is right about the spray skirts. I tried a set I made for the first time on Saturday. They weren't adjusted right but still made the ride a lot dryer.

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Jerry D.
St. Johns, Florida
2010 TI
2008 AI

That's an interesting shot Jerry. You look to be a lot more sheeted in than the AI in the background. Were you sailing close hauled?

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Yes I was close hauled probably doing around 6 knots or a little faster.

I remember seeing my friend taking the picture but I don't remember what the AI in the background was doing.

When on this point of sail my TI feels like it wants to take off and fly. I really wish there was another TI around to do some comparisons between sailing from the front seat versus the back. Sailing two identical boats side by side really teaches you a lot about how to get that last 10th of a knot out of your boat.

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Jerry D.
St. Johns, Florida
2010 TI
2008 AI

Thanks everybody.

Deposit paid today. Will collect from UK Hobie Centre (Poole) in January.

Ordered tramps and will be wary of being toppled!

Am off to research comfi seat thingies...

PS. Purchased a Satmap Active 10 GPS...

http://www.livefortheoutdoors.com/Gear- ... ctive-102/