Maiden Voyage need tips

I took my new adventure island out this weekend. This was my first trip, the winds were out of the SE starting at 6mph and by mid day were at 13 mph. The lake I ran it on is about 20 miles long north to south and probaly 4 miles wide east to west. I started in about the middle on the east side and headed north. While heading North I found the best speed was when I was heading almost due east and due west, nw and ne were a lil on the slow side. I had read how exciting they are when under speed but I can't say that I really felt that. The whole trip probaly as the crow flies about 12 miles round trip took me about 7 1/2 hours with all the tacking and turning I am sure it was probaly double that in miles. Does this sound like normal time to you Adventure Island owners? Any tips to speed things up I found that almost due east and west produced the fastist times, but I was trying to go North and South. I would use the pedal occasionaly and I kept the lil tales both flying in a v formation above me. the water was slightly choppy but not horriable. Tips PLease!
Next I actually bought two and I am wondering if my wife can handle the rudder
she has not tried hers yet and man that rudder is a beast when it is rolling any tips on that. Do they make a bigger rudder handle for woman or do you have any tips.

Thanks in advance
Butch

Also I bought the tramps for the island and I slid the over the front akas but the buckles are about an inch short from snapping on the back akas am I doing something wrong? Is there a triakc to buckle them?


Thanks
BUtch

Welcome to the Hobie community and congradulations on your purchases!

Your sailing experience sounds very typical. Read the forums and get a couple sailing books from your local library to improve your sailing knowledge. Most questions have been asked, so search first and you may find an indepth discussion about your question. The best thing to do is practice!

Cheers!

J

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2011 Golden Papaya TI with a 250 square foot spinnaker!
also a more manageable 100 square foot spinny...
&
the TI3 rear ama mod

oh, almost forgot, you may have gotten the tandem island tramps, check your packaging. they are slightly smaller

j

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2011 Golden Papaya TI with a 250 square foot spinnaker!
also a more manageable 100 square foot spinny...
&
the TI3 rear ama mod

Also, be sure your rudder is fully down and locked. It is very difficult to steer if it is part way up. I really like the steering knob acecssory. It makes it a bit more comfortable if you're on the water for a long time and may be useful for your wife.

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Brendan Castile

If you are finding the rudder difficult to handle, you may have the mainsheet pulled in too hard. Try easing it out until the windward telltale is just starting to dance up and down. That should give you not too much resistance in the rudder and also optimal speed.

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Butch,

I have noticed that the new larger rudder really transmits a wave impact from the side and also harder to move when half down. A hiking stick adds leverage and allows control when out on your tramps.

viewtopic.php?f=69&t=39665&start=0

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Thanks for the tips on the rudder and and the sailing aspect I need to check the rudder to make sure it was locked down and maybe back off the sail some. Also I did not realize that the tandem tramps were smaller I will make a call and check that tomorrow. Thanks a lot. Also do you know where I ca n get the rudder control knob does Hobie sale them.


Thanks Butch

Make sure you remove the wheels when out on the water. Goes like a dog with them in. On the plus side, you get more storage space....

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Come on Cows, he's not an idiot ! Who would ever do that

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

Also blocks your right hand side sonar beam....

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Slaughter :

I did, went out for about an hour once and just couln't figure out why I was going so slow until I went back in. Embarrassing.

Thanks for the cart wheel tip I imagine that would slow you up LOL

Butch,
Hobie sells the steering knob for $7.95 (USD 2011) plus shipping
Catalog #: 88991355 KNOB ASSEMBLY

You could also screw in a marine steering wheel knob, but you would have to check to see what thread/pitch for the knob bolt. The bolt thread is not a very common one here in the US.

1/4"/20 I believe.

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The Wind Is Your Friend...