Solo sailing the Tandem

I'm pretty sure that I will shortly buy a Tandem Island, but I was wondering how the solo sailing experience would differ from that of the Island Adventure. I had heard that the AI would be better for solo sailing. The TI's ability to bring someone out with me would definitely override some minor deficits in sailing solo, but I was wondering what and just how significant any such deficits would be (bow lifting?). The extra sail area of the TI feels like a good thing. The same sort of questions would apply to solo pedaling; is the TI harder to control, etc? I am presuming that I would always solo in the rear seat, but are there any circumstances when it would be better to sit forward? Finally, might there be any modifications (bow weight, custom foils, etc) that could lessen any deficits when sailing or pedaling alone? Thanks!

Kevin

Kevin - as I don't have one yet, I can't help you - but I will be interested in any responses you get.

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

So far, I would sat it sails just fine from the rear seat. Handling the centerboard and furling line takes some stretching at times, but it's not difficult.
A little more bow lift is a good thing with this boat.

Pedaling from the rear, I had some annoyance Mostly trying to turn against the wind. The boat has a huge amount of windage and really wants to weathervane. Turns downwind like a dream. Whether you intended to go that way or not. But then, I am typically in 15+ kts of wind here. I didn't try peddling solo from the front seat yet. I also suspect playing around with the centerboard when pedaling might have some effect.

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Island life in the Devil's Triangle:
http://2gringos.blogspot.com/

Unlike most, when I sail solo in the TI, I do so from the front seat. There, all lines and controls are at hand, and most problems can quickly be corrected. The TI takes more work to control, Even changed to 3 to 1 the sheetline, much more force is required to pull lines than the AI.

On the other hand, the TI sails great in up to 18mph winds, where the AI needs to be reefed a bit earlier. The TI sails in most winds about 1mph faster than the AI, which makes it fun to slowly go through the AI's, then turn and go back through them to the rear to check on everyone, the up through the pack again!

Lastly, give me an AI in winds over 18mph. The AI feel more behaved in higher winds, more sailing itself. While in the TI, I feel like a one-armed paper hanger, always rushing to keep everything under control.

Both boats are wonderful, but much different from each other.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

Thanks for the comments, KB. Interesting.

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

Just the mere fact that you have a spareseat is the best bonus, if you plan to extended trips ie three days plus the spare seat would be then used for your cooler. I never have trouble filling the seat as there is always someone wanting to go.When I'm on my own the only drawback is setting,it just takes a little longer,plus you don't want to be pulling the TI to far.Steep boat ramps are a challenge on your own.I wouldn't swap back to my old AI

Kevin, you didn't used to live in Waquoit, did you?

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Island life in the Devil's Triangle:
http://2gringos.blogspot.com/

I sail my TI solo 65-70% of the time and I have no problems with it. Whether I sail solo or tandem, I always sail it from the rear.

I find sailing from the rear raises the nose slightly (but never out of the water), which prevents submarining in rougher conditions. Plus you're somewhat more protected by the water splash from rear.

When sailing solo, I tie the end of the furling line to the end of the rear main sail line, using a simple double fisherman's knot. This makes it easier to handle the furling line from the rear.

I've sailed in fair to rough conditions and in modest to strong winds and to me the TI handled well. Then again I have no comparison as I haven't tried an AI.

Here's a short video of me sailing the TI from the rear - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNxa6vJlJMs

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H@mmer
"Intelligence is nothing without imagination"

Thanks, all. It seems as though the TI sails pretty well solo, and is simply "different" than the AI, not necessarily worse. The comment about the "one-armed paper hanger" was a bit of a concern; I would like to think, though, that if the sail were to be reefed a bit, things would be less hectic. I will be keeping the TI at our villa on St. John (USVI), where there are pretty steady 15 knot trades, and the water is warm enough that getting wet isn't an issue. Nice video, Hammer; there was a lot less spray than I would have expected. Gringo: No, I never lived in Waquoit. That was also somebody else in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". I spent a week once on Grace Bay; Provo is a very nice place, although I prefer the multitude of islands and bays of the VI. You have to go to Tortola to clear customs, though, if you want to want to visit any of the islands in the BVI. We keep "Coconuts", our villa, in short-term rental when we aren't there, so for those not already in the tropics, do consider it for a future vacation (www.coconutsvilla.com). Owing to liability issues, we wouldn't be able to let guests use the TI we are ordering. Since St. John is pretty hilly, with hairpin turns in the roads, I am going to try and car-top the TI. My plan is to make some long rails out of aluminum tubing to mount to the Thule crossbars on our Suzuki Grand Vitara, and bolt the TI cradles fore and aft along the new long rails, with a set of rollers at the very rear. We'll see how it works, and if successful I will post about it (in May). I had a chance to sail around Pillsbury Sound in an AI a few weeks ago, and had a blast; we're really looking forward to getting the TI.

Kevin

Kevin, it will be great! Just keep enough energy in reserve each trip to get that monster back up on your roof racks.

Be sure to make or buy a Sprayskirt or starting at 6mph you will get very wet. The TI can be a very dry boat under 6mph, unlike the AI which you sit in and your feet are in small puddles. But with the TI, at 6mph the bow wave reaches the knuckles on the aka and splashes everywhere.

Here's one of my favorite videos of my TI. I'm in front with someone light in the rear, on a bit cloudy but otherwise perfect sailing day with three AI's and little waves.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqIP6MVSFOM[/youtube]

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

I recommend Bob's sprayskirts. They're easy to fit and looks OEM.

Right now I don't have them fitted as it's summer is Australia and the water is warm. But I'll definately be fitting them when I sail in winter.

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H@mmer
"Intelligence is nothing without imagination"

We are slightly familiar with the VI. I did a lot of work for USN down there years ago, and just last year we chartered a 42 ft. catamaran and sailed it around for a week getting a bunch of ASA ratings. Christmas winds. 11 kts. shorthanded. whew.

We went around Jost van Dyke, Normans, etc. Did a different anchorage every night. Loved the sailing there. Great spot, although a bit crowded compared to here. Not so crazy about being ashore there.

The Kevin McCarthy I knew for years worked for Benthos on Cape Cod. He had ties to NH, and spent a couple years working on the habitat at the Salt River dropoff near St. Croix. I lost track of him when I left New England.

Water is warm here, too, and I am going for the spray shields. We were out this afternoon sailing our TI in steady 22 with gusts to 27 kts. We only stayed out an hour and a half. It was getting a bit too gnarly for us.. Boat's got a lot of moving plastic parts, if you know what I mean. It's not the temp of the water, it's getting five gallons of it thrown into your face and chest every five seconds for mile after mile.

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Island life in the Devil's Triangle:
http://2gringos.blogspot.com/

On the rare occasions that I have the opportunity to sail alone I sail from the front seat. I weigh about 75kg and find that the stern sits low and increases drag with me in the back seat. In the front seat the boat sit perfectly.

Steve