I'm thinking about buying an Adventure Island or Tandem Isla

Hi

I'm new to the forum and this is my first post. I live on the Central Coast, NSW, Australia. I've spent a few hours reading the posts and its a great resource!

I've sailed most of my life, mostly dingy's. I've just sold a TrailerTri 720 Trailer Sailer. IA great boat to sail but it took an hour to rig then an hour to pack up so short sails were a problem. Also its size made getting it on and off the trailer difficult for my girlfriend and myself - particularly in a cross wind.

I was looking at buying a Hobie 14 / Windrush 14 / Maricat 14 when I found the Hobie adventure Island and Tandem Island.

I will probably be sailing 80% of the time on my own but would like to be able to take an adult passenger so I am leaning towards a Tandem Island.

Is a TI ok if I'm going to sail / paddle solo?

Initially I thought I could just use roof racks but after having a look at a Tandem Island at the dealer I think I am going to need a trailer to make it easy to launch on my own.

I can weld and fabricate so a figure I can build or modify a trailer for about $1000?

Does anyone know of somewhere I can rent a TI or AI?

The local dealer has a TI I can sail but I would really like to spend a few hours on the water and see if this is what I want to buy without obligation. At one time I was thinking about buying a Personal Watercraft (Jetski) but after borrowing one I was bored after an hour and was happy I hadn't bought one.

I've had a look online at second hand TI's. They are advertised at around $6,000. I can buy a new 2014 TI for $6,100 at the local dealer. Is this high second hand price normal? I would have thought used without a warrantee would reduce the price more than that.

All advice is welcome.

Cheers

Brad



Brad

Long Jetty

_________________
Brad K
Papaya Tandem Island - "Dry Reach"
Lengthened Jet Ski trailer
"Kayaking Bob" Spray Skirts
Trampolines

Well, I can answer a few of your questions based on my own experience owning a TI for the last year and a half (and as a prior Hobie 16 sailor).

I car-top mine, on a 4-door Nissan Frontier, using 3 supports (thule xporter racks in the bed and a third rack over the front cab). It is a heavy beast, but by using a loading aid I built (a little step that I mount on the tailgate, so I can lift the kayak first up on to the step, then push it up onto the racks) I can get it up there easily enough, probably takes about 70 pounds of lifting effort.

I would LOVE to use a trailer...but, I don't have trailer storage at my house, and I LOVE having the freedom to launch anywhere I like by cartopping (lots of side-of-the-road launch sites here). But man, loading/unloading with a trailer is just so much easier (as well as keeping the salt water off your vehicle).

It sails perfectly well solo. When there is no wind (like ZERO wind) it handles okay with one person pedaling...add any wind and it's very difficult (with the amas out and the sail up and furled... I haven't played with it without the amas/sail). But if there's wind, then I'm sailing; even near the slips I can just furl it down to a storm sail and it's handy enough. It's not a speed beast like the 16 or 14, but it points well and is super comfortable. Again it's a bear to launch/recover solo as it's just a big, heavy boat for one person. I use the giant beach cart, launch it with the hull and sail/amas rigged, and either anchor it in waist-deep water or tie up to a dock to load it up (if I'm solo). Much easier than trying to move it all loaded up with mirage drives, anchor, fishing gear...The beach cart tires come off and then I can stow it in the cab of my truck, locked up.

Most used ones go for near-retail as they are solid boats, with a low supply of used inventory, as well as the fact that Hobie is real good about support regardless of new/used.

You could probably get a used trailer for a third of what you're talking...the whole rig is under 250lbs of boat/gear, so you don't need much of a trailer - just consider the length of the boat (around 6m).


Aloha,
RH

_________________
2013 Tandem Island "Victory Lane"
Oahu, Hawaii
www.rotorheadsblog.blogspot.com

Yes, to all your questions. I have an AI, but wish at times I had a TI.
Wait for the 2015 TI, those new seats will be worth it.

_________________
Mark
Tandem Island- 2013
2 - Sports - 2014

Thanks for the replies. I was wondering about the new seats. The 2015 model jumps from $6100 (current stock) to $6900 for the new model when they eventually get them. So I wasn't sure if they were worth the extra $800. The other changes on the TI seem fairly minor?

Cheers


Brad

Long Jetty

_________________
Brad K
Papaya Tandem Island - "Dry Reach"
Lengthened Jet Ski trailer
"Kayaking Bob" Spray Skirts
Trampolines

Car-topping is dangerous to your vehicle (scratches, dings, dents) and, if you live near the ocean and use your boat in salt-water, rust will literally reduce your car to a pile of rust in 5-10 yrs. I've written about it occasionally. Here is a link: http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=7276&start=315 Scroll down until you come to the word: "Rust!!"

Keith

_________________
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

What they said above... I use a trailer, and sail my TI mostly solo, and out of at least 300 launch/retrieves, I have only needed outside help about half a dozen times, and I am a 69 year old with much reduced mobility.

I believe that the new enhanced seating, plus the improved Miragedrives, together with a shiny new TI, has got to be worth a premium of $800. I don't think I would consider buying a used TI unless the price was way lower than new (bear in mind that some used ones might include accessories, but make sure you really need same, otherwise they add no effective value to your purchase)

I think that getting an AI instead of a TI would not suit you, as in all honesty, sailing/pedalling a TI solo is not a real problem. A few weeks ago I did a 5-6 hour trip up a local river in mostly calm conditions, and it was fine -remembering that the Islands are not hotrod multihulls, but are instead effective waterborne SUVs.

I am not aware of any other vessel with the versatility of either Island.

_________________
Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

Welcome Brad,
If you are willing to travel down the other end of the coast you can have a go of my AI and TI. I sail Brisbane Waters and off Patonga mostly. PM me for details.
Though I've had my TI since 2010 I've really only been solo sailing it the last 6 months. I can report it makes a great solo sailer and I enjoy sailing it more than the AI. I would recommend a trailer and if you are clever with the use of a cart, the extra bulk of the TI over the AI won't be noticeable.
I agree with Tony on waiting for the '15 model as the upgrades should be worth it. Trouble is I doubt the '15 TI will be here before summer ends! It hasn't even been made yet in the US and with the Christmas closure, who knows when it will really be available Downunder.
I'm not sure what you are expecting re sailing performance but as Tony hinted they can't be compared to Cats. Speed tops out around 10knots. The Islands versatility set them apart from all other watercraft. Trimaran, kayak, sail, pedal, paddle, only require about 50mm draught, and yet are very capable in the open ocean. Nothing else comes close!

I'm new to the TI as well (not to kayaking). I've had my since August and have put quite a few miles on it since then.

I badly wanted the TI for the extra capabilities and range I would get out of it. But then I loved the "throw it in the truck and go" portability of my smaller tandem. I really tried hard to rationalize truck topping the TI to retain that notion. However, a combination of my dealer's insistence and information in these forums convinced me to give up the idea that the TI is a kayak that you pick up and carry, and to accept it for what it is. I bought the trailex trailer and am really glad I did. To me, the TI is very easier to launch and carry with the trailer. The trailer is light enough with the boat on it to move it around by hand and you don't absolutely need a ramp once you learn how to quickly disassemble and assemble in the water (that's not as involved as it sounds - 5 min or so and I'm a newbie).

I still have my old Wilderness Systems Pamlico 145T for creek and river trips (for which the TI would be a strange fit), but for lake trips and my excursions down to the South Florida keys and islands, I can't imagine a better boat than the TI, and I am personally glad I got the trailer.

Hi Bradk,

I launch my AI from Long Jetty or Tumbi Creek quite often. The AI is great for negotiating all the shallows on the Tuggerah Lakes. Having said that, when the wind is right, it's hard to beat taking one of those Maricats out on the lake.

The one real advantage the AI has had over the TI is that it's quite easy to throw up on a roofrack. You can even pick up the hull single-handed and carry it for short distances.

The new AI is substantially heavier, so if you're going for a new boat, you really might just as well go with a TI and have the flexibility to carry extra passengers.

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Hi Brad.
Coming from a TrailerTri 720 Trailer Sailer will be a major step.
I came from sailing a Young 7.8 water ballast for over 10 years and it is a major change.
However, a change I can fully recommend.
The TI doesn't point quite the same but good enough.
I can sail in sheltered waters where the Mrs is happy to join in.
No more awkward reefing of the main or forward crew to drop the jib.
Just release the main and furl as much as you want.

So we still go away for a couple of weeks as often as possible.
Only difference is we tow a caravan and car top the TI.
I haven't had the trouble as others have, car topping.
I do keep the roof polished well and clean after topping.
Still, if you can trailer the TI, that's the best way. A friend
has a TI on a trailer and much easier to launch and recover.

All that has been said above is true, even from that old 69 year old guy (I'm only 67).
The Hobie's certainly hold their price wich is great if you go for new.

Would I wait for the 2015 model? Well no. It will no doubt be a better
TI but I wouldn't miss out on probably most of this summer and the fun
you will have.

Enjoy!

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Cheers, Brian in South Australia
Tandem Island -

Thanks for the replies. After spending some time poking around the forum I think a TI could be in my future. I'm looking forward to a "test sail" with Stringy and if that works out I'll spend some time organising a trailer and cart and then check out the 2015 models when they arrive. Funny I promised myself I was going to go "boat free" after selling the Trailer Sailer however that might only last one summer.


Brad

Long Jetty

_________________
Brad K
Papaya Tandem Island - "Dry Reach"
Lengthened Jet Ski trailer
"Kayaking Bob" Spray Skirts
Trampolines

Good luck on the test sail. I was hooked 15 minutes after we left the dock.

Comparing the second-hand versus the new TI prices you usually get a trailer, tramps, trolly etc with the second -hand boat(they can be worth thousands). Also you can usually knock down the price a bit so second hand isn't a bad way to go

Thanks Skipper holland

Yes, there are 2 on Gumtree at the moment. One for $4,500 - a fair price for second hand. The other is $7,500 with a trailer. Almost new price - so too expensive.. The local dealer has almost sold out of his 2014 stock of TI's. He isn't expecting any 2015 ones till late March which would fit in with my timetable.

What it really comes down to is - Do I want to spend the extra on a 2015 model and get the new seats and the other small improvements or do I want to save some money and buy the old one?


Brad

Long Jetty

_________________
Brad K
Papaya Tandem Island - "Dry Reach"
Lengthened Jet Ski trailer
"Kayaking Bob" Spray Skirts
Trampolines

The big improvements are going to come on the 2015 AI. For the Tandem, the vantage seats are going to be the main improvement in the 2015 (I'm gazing at my crystal ball.) Also, I think there are going to be earlier models of AIs and TIs at fire sale prices once the 2015 models come out. So, I think it is a pretty simple choice regarding a TI: get new seats in the 2015 model or get a used TI and save a bundle. If I bought a used TI, it would be a 2013 or 2014 model, in the hopes that some of the weaknesses in the earlier models will be corrected.

Keith

_________________
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