If a Ti is right for me

New to sailing but have been a power boater forever. That said I have recently moved to Puerto Rico, originally from Indiana,and find the ramps here on the caribean the worst. Sand filled, sharp drop offs at the end of the ramp, no parking and the mere fact that there isn't a dock to be had to tie off to while parking the truck. I've waited a month at times to find a fishing partner thus the question is a Ti right for me? I'm retired and feel as though I need at less 3 days a week fishing and boating a must. I'm considering a kayak style sail boat as a ramp isn't needed, no partner required, stable platform, trolling speeds(about 3 mph) and no fear of running out of gas, engine failure etc. With a trolling motor(just to keep things familar), mirage drives and a sail and a price that is remarkable for a brand new one considering the cost of a power boat these days plus gas this idea seems to be spot on in my mind, btw we have less that a foot of wave or less 90% of the summer(early to mid afternoon anyway) and we have a thousand foot of water just 1/4 -1/2 mile off shore. Great wahoe, dolfin and tuna just 5-6 miles off. I do think I can find someone to teach me to sail. Never to late to experience a new adventure in a safe way and from videos, picture, articles etc these seem rather safe, given respect of course. Most here doesn't speak english nor I spanish so I pose my question here!

Sounds like the Ti would be a good match for your needs. If it doesn't work out selling should not be too difficult in your location.

We have found a trailer to work best for us with our TI; no back strain and the TI is in and out in just a couple minutes. That's not to say a trailer is required, as other TI owners here will be happy to share their experience with you.

From what you describe, a TI may very well be perfectly suited for you!

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Mitch

2010 Tandem Island
2010 Revolution
Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore

My sailing blog
Our sailing videos

Thanks Fast Cat for the thumbs up, it will be a different world for us as we are stepping down from a 28 ft criuser. Seems as though Hobie is top shelf and the TI is their best in class kayak, how could I go wrong. Going to the dealer soon and hope I can try one while there. Should I care whether it is a 2010 or 2011?If so how to identify the difference, maybe the rudder control or was that 2009? Advice on what to include in the order if it comes to that, the must have kinda things would be helpful. Will welcome all advise!

Thanks Mitch, Do you have the hobie trailer or after market? I've seen several, some cost more and some cost less. We will wait to see our tab at the hobie dealer first but will have one someday. Our week-end retreat is just 1 block from the beach, the ramp is there as well so while learning to sail I'll just pull it down there with a cart(which we have to buy). The ramp isn't good as mentioned nor is the beach perfect but there just isn't much boat traffic thus I won't be in the way while learning, later to travel the island in pursuit of the perfect spot. Hope to hear that you have the hobie trailer, so far my pick for the money.their cart as well.

Just curious, I gather you will me going out on your own so why the bigger heavier tandem (TI) over the single seat AI?

The TI is only marginally faster but a heck of a lot bigger and harder to handle off the water. If you are planning to put it in over beaches etc (no ramp) you may find the TI a hand-full on your own.

Elm, I have reread my post and you are correct, I haven't mentioned that my wife will be with me most of the time. Another factor I considered was an empty seat in the cockpit of the Ti won't be so hard to fill now that I don't have to include the words "Do you want to go fishing, can you pay for half the gas at 27 gals an hour x $3.00 per gal " Funny how the line is empty for a beautiful fishing trip until you hang a shingle "FREE"
Your concern over weight is a valid point, I do realize that as well. I have struggled with the weight issue considering my wife is only 5 ft tall and tips the scale at about 85 lbs, good to carry gear but no help I'm sure with the Ti. In my quest to find just the right craft I first stopped at the pro angler and then she said" what about me" I said" I'll build you a seat dear", then the outfitter until I realized that the oasis had more storage, was longer and I could add a pair of stabilizers for her comfort(the thought of being on the ocean has got her nervous)That was my pick and hers too for awhile. Then one night I fell asleep with the Ai and Ti on my mind, I haven;t looked back but that said the oasis would work for us if amas and akas could be added just like the Ti and Ai. My sales pitch has been that the Ti has a 10 ft beam and tramps will get give room for gear and leg room.
In my mind The oasis is a near shore stay near home with her 25 square ft of sail, the Ai is perfect with 57 sq ft of sail for all around everything for a none sailor YET but no room for my wife! the Ti is something to grow into but at a trade off for more weight.
With a few more details answering 'If a Ti is right for US? might be easier.
Thanks Elm!

Natitud,

Since it's not practical to use a trailer at many of my rocky shoreline launch sites, I was forced to go without a trailer. Although I'm managing well and getting better without a trailer, I do often wish I can work one in.

So I'm keeping an eye out for a good cheap trailer since I have a few launch sites where I can use one. It's not a necessity so I haven't been looking hard. But a trailer and a trailer garage is in the works.

I'm thinking it's good to know both options: w or w/o a trailer.

Good luck on your new adventure.

Aloha,

Cliffs2yak

The TI on a cart is probably the easiest boat to launch from a difficult ramp. Wheel it down, remove the cart and off you go! (The cart sits nicely in the rear well when underway.)
I have a trailer but I prefer to park, setup and then launch from the cart.
If you only live a block from the ramp wheeling it would be no problem. The TI is nicely balanced so it feels very light when wheeling. The HD cart is best except in sand where the Trax carts balloon wheels are best. Maybe you should consider purchasing both carts. I sometimes use two carts to retrieve the TI.
The TI is very easy to learn to sail- probably the best sailing boat for beginners available.
The Trampolines and i-Comfort seat are probably the best accessories after the cart to consider purchasing.

Nuatitud, "Us" know make's sense. I do not or have not sailed the TI (I have the AI) if it is anything like the AI to sail, learning to sail is not the issue for you they are that easy.
Your main concerns I think will be getting it on and off the water, storage and transport.

The suggestion by stringy and two carts is not a silly one, the soft tire's are harder to pull on solid surfaces but are slightly better on sand where as the hard wheels are a pig in the sand but great on solid ground. Personally I would go for a trailer and leave it on it, but for you and no ramps I would possibly set the trailer up with the TI pulled apart and put it together on the water front, that will make it a lot easier to handle (depending how close to the water you can get).

While it can and does be done, I think the TI is to heavy to lift for roof topping on cars, I suffer from back issues and cringe at the thought of people lifting these beasts (we aren't getting any younger ). I am not sure if you have the space (guessing you do because you had a boat) but if you can store a boat and trailer you should be able to store a TI on a trailer and I think you will find it a far better way to handle one.

There is a trailer for two AI's here in Australia that I think is great and may give you some idea's, it is in the start of this video I shot age's ago at a meeting we had down here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu6gNjMdUbI not sure if the link will work in your country and sorry cannot find any photo's so best I can do.

Another extra I would get to make it more enjoyable for your wife is tramps and I would also look seriously at dry-suits for the future, expensive but well worth the money for all year round use.

Good luck in your choice, I think a TI may suit your needs, it's also a ase of will it suit yours but I think it will

Thanks again Elm! I should clarify the ramp situation, there is a descent ramp there ,on top, the problem is that it is horrible at the end off the ramp. That was a nightmare for backing a 28 ft cruiser in for launching. That problem will be solved with a new kayak. Matter of fact it will make a great place to use due to its lack of use. I could take my time getting all equipment loaded without being in the way. I'm not sure that the fact that I have a Ford Ranger pick-up just begging to have a rack installed would make a difference . Maybe my friend the welder and I can design something to handle the weight if needed and ease of loading, just a thought! I think I've mentioned the fact that I'm all for a trailer however I'm trying to stay away from that unless needed and here's why, This little island has anywhere from 3-5 million people and the island is only 100 miles x 35 miles so parking and getting around is a challenge. What if I decided to purchase the Ai instead, what if I created a little spot for my wife to ride like up near the sail area and on the inward edge of the tramp(she's 85 lbs), would that have an adverse effect on the performance of the hull, not for speed so much but just performance in general. That could work if not. The Ai versus Ti would solve my daily needs but I would have to for-go the idea of sharing a day with some of the ole salts down at the square that have forgotten more than I know about fishing in the area. All just thoughts, again I can't go wrong either way, probably another week or so before ordering.
The cart was on my list but wondered which to get, sounds as though neither will do both sand and pavement well, its either or. Should that be hobie or would a good aftermarket work as well? I don't mind paying extra if the name brand is better than the aftermarket stuff. Also good tip on wet gear, what do you suggest. In 7 years I have never seen less than 68 and normal high 88-92 with a few days of 80. Our blood has thinned after 7 years here so 68 is jacket weather for us, HeHe. Would the dry suit work or a shorty wet suit for all day in the heat once we start sailing? Thanks for all the advice! Getting axious!

Here is my cut. You will love the TI for you and you girl. I have a 29ft center console and the entire gas evolution you related is EXACTLY what I went thru. I have the AI and have not had my big boat out since. I would have went for the TI but I have no permanent fishing honey. Most are only good for 1-2hrs thus I actually prefer solo when putting out the spread. I go offshore and at fairly good distances (3-4mi minimum with 6-12 normal) and the craft does it without even trying hard. The trolling setup was a challenge at first for rod holder placement but I finally got the equipment and patterns down. I have the hobie trailer and even use it to wheel my rig down to the water over the sand by hand. Its balanced very nicely. I also have the cart and use that in special areas. The wet gear I use here in Florida is a 3mil dive suit for spring/fall with thin waterpoof pants and top over it for wind. I wear spandex bike pants/warm-up gear with body armour type top during summer (I use the cheaper stuff from Target, still great quality). The tops are normally white or yellow longsleve turtle neck to cut down on sun exposure. It provides nice wicking/cooling during the hottest days. I do have a Kokatat dry suit for winter but your area is too warm for that. I used to operate in your area doing Counter drug operations so I know very well whats up. Its not needed. The fishing in your area is especially well suited to the Hobie AI/TI. The link below has my setup for trolling. Its the yellow AI. Page 4 has a close up of the rod holders. Also the Tramps are a must have for offshore fishing. I would also suggest Reconlon's (kayaking Bob) spray skirts. Your fishing partner will become your firstmate again. Since you have already boated in your area I'm sure you are mindful of those cross currents during the incoming/outgoing tides. Your 1 lucky dude to live there. I love the smell of that Island.

viewtopic.php?f=69&t=23007&start=60

Spray skirts: http://sites.google.com/site/kayakingbob/

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http://s909.photobucket.com/albums/ac294/gsammy925/

Nuatitud,

I have an older model Hobie galvanized trailer that was originally set up to handle to AI's. After I bought a TI I extended the cross bars on one side and installed the Hobie TI cradles. The set up works great.

If I only had a TI I would keep my eyes open for any used small marine grade trailer. It should be one designed to go into the water (the Trailex trailers Hobie is selling aren't designed to go in salt water). Install a set of Hobie TI cradles on it and you're ready to go. When I launch mine I back the traler up to the water but do not get the axles wet. Then I just push the TI into the water. When I pull the boat I back my trailer in until the rear cradle is just under the water. I tie a light line to the bow of the TI push it back and slide it on the trailer. It works great.

Using the wheels close to home will work but a trailer will give you more flexibility.

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

Nuatitud that traffic sounds like a nightmare and can understand why you wish to ditch the trailer. If you can get someone to make a decent lifter and rack for your truck then by all means I would try and do it then.
Where I live its not to bad until December 27 and then all the tourists come in plague proportions but still not as busy as you, there are times I wish I didn't have the trailer but it's a must have with my back.
As for the ramp, you are laughing all the way to the water and am thinking the more I learn from you, a TI will be a good proposition, specially if you are planning to go of shore a bit, while the AI with tramps and a second person, will do it, it's not the most practical and certainly not designed for it unlike the TI. Beauty of the TI is it seams to be just as good solo as Tandem unlike the AI.
By the sounds of it you have a very warm climate and so the drysuit may be a bit on the warm side, as I am not familiar with where you are, you are best to listen to those that are, mind you if you find you are being affected with wind chill then they might be worth looking at.
Looking forward to some pics when you get it (if you do ).

Thanks to the Hobie Forum and all of your replies I'm starting to realize that this Kayak/Sailboat/Fishing Boat known as a Ai-Ti isn't a choice by last resort but a craft of 'Why in the H didn't I think of this along time ago. In my world 18 ft long and 10 miles offshore don't go together in the same sentence. I have read, I have researched, I have watched all your video's and others but hearing it here only helps to conclude that I won't have to own it only to find out that it would not fit my needs! Whether fishing Lake Michigan for chunook and coho salmon, cruising the Ohio River, fishing 20mi off shore out of Fort Pierce Fl., drinking a cold one on Dale Hollow in Tennesee or fishing Lake Okechobee for crappie and bass I always have had to build a bond with my boat first. What is she intended to do, what are her limits. Its good to have your advice! Its good to know what others feel is her limits and where the line is drawn for safety Thus "If the Ai and Ti are right for Us"
The weight issue is a given, not fun but doable and will be tough without a trailer, with some advise maybe I can invent an easy load system for my pick-up. I do have at least 1 or maybe 2 rollers from little Yola trailer(homemade boat found here in P.R.) that I can use. Question on the cart-At the end of this post I will include pictures of the area, which cart to start with knowing I'm going to start out pulling it by hand from our cabin(later to get both the HD and the trax)? Question-The owner of the dealership has already written an email with a quote, would it be fact that there is a set price when buying Hobie or have you found it negotiable? Question- Somewhere I heard mention of a strap attached to the boat to use in righting if or when needed, would that be something special and is there a better spot than another to attach to the the Ai-Ti. Question-Concerning safety non-required, other than a knife and whistle what is a must on your boat? Thanks for the advise to all!! Below are some pictures non of which are as exciting and interesting as the ones that have been posted here but will help to better understand the conditions I'll be dealing with in the Ai-Ti.

http://s1036.photobucket.com/albums/a45 ... %20Photos/