What next?

Ok guys. My TI is supposed to be here in the next few weeks and I've got a list of stuff that I want/need but have a few questions.
My list:
Tramps
Extra rudder pins
Cart cradle-diy pvc cart
Steering knobs
Boat cover-depending on cost
4 PFDs

Questions:
1) Is a pvc cart going to hold up with the TI?
2) Do you use a cover when trailering? Why or why not?
3) What PFD is best for the 2015? Inflatable or regular PFD? Is one style or brand better or worse? Kids PFDs will not be inflatable.
4) Anything else I need?

I just want to be prepared.

_________________
Chris


2015 Tandem Island-ivory dune

I think your list is pretty comprehensive for just starting. It's pretty much just like mine. To answer #2 - I plan on using a cover when trailering. I have to drive a minimum of 10-15 miles just to get to any of my local "lakes", but we also plan on taking this to see family in Ohio and Michigan. So, for protective purposes, yes, I will use a cover. #3 is a bit trickier. I just bought the usual Stohlquist life jackets. I'm sure the inflatables would be more comfortable, but they are also more expensive. Additionally if you ever use it, then you have to pay for recharges. There is also debate over self inflating vs. manually inflated. IMO I would not go with water activated self inflating. The TI is too wet of a ride to risk accidental inflation.
I'm still trying to figure out low cost life vests to use with guests. I don't want to subject my family and friends to hideous orange neck braces. Nor to I want to make a buddy wear my wife's pink and black life jacket. A couple of other items that I have thought of: dry bags, a cooler that will fit in the rear storage area, bilge pump, anchor, waterproof Bluetooth speaker, possibly hakas if the tramps sag too much, and I might add a wind indicator to the top of the mast. I'm sure my list will grow more as I use the boat and figure out what I do and do not need.

_________________
2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

• Trampolines
• Hobie cover
• Davis Spar Fly
• Kayakbob's Sprayskirts
• Spine Board Hakas

I was out at Dicks sporting goods recently and they have bilge pump, anchors, dry bags. Let me know what you find for a portable wind indicator(and price) I'm interested too.

Sam

I would always make my buddies wear the pink vest. As a good friend, I just want to keep them safe, and as feminine as possible. It just makes me feel better.

_________________
Chris


2015 Tandem Island-ivory dune

Guess I should go to dicks for about the same stuff. What's the price on the bags and pump, Sam?

_________________
Chris


2015 Tandem Island-ivory dune

Dry bags are awesome. I have one 65L one in my front hatch of my PA. I remember laying out on a cat's tramps (In lake Murray, lexington boy myself) with an inflated dry bag for a pillow... great times.

Also for a bluetooth speaker Braven sells one for 100 bucks that is pretty sweet. I keep that and a waterproof camera in a hatch at all times.

I would recommend just buying stuff as you need it. I have so many extra ram mounts and crap that I don't use.

TI_Tom go to Menards like 20 bucks for some cheaper vests. I bought a L/M and Xs for friends.

I'll have to check menards on those life jackets. I've had my eyes on a Scosche waterproof bluetooth speaker that fits in the water bottle holders. It would work on my bikes too. I think it's $99.

_________________
2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

• Trampolines
• Hobie cover
• Davis Spar Fly
• Kayakbob's Sprayskirts
• Spine Board Hakas

_________________
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

I wouldn't bother with a cover either. They can get stressed to deth at highway speeds, and as Keith says, there is nothing wrong with your TI being out in the rain.

I differ from Keith, in that unlike single hull kayaks, we are highly unlikely to invert our Islands , and I rate the probability of being knocked unconscious as extremely low, so I favour manually inflatable PFDs. At least here, the authorities have been really pushing these to boaties, so they are available for as low as $60, making them cheaper than other types. They also stow easily in the hull (in drybags is best).

I have almost 20 drybags of various sizes, and can load all my camping gear in five minutes. These bags are great all rounders.

A masthead wind indicator is extremely handy, and easy to fit. Here is how I did it.

I also added a small block at both ends of the mast, so I can send a 360 degree white light up there for night sailing legally.

I also added a small fitting inside a drink holder, to fit a 1" plastic hose connected to my manual bilge pump, so I can empty the hull with all hatches closed.

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

Tony,

I just bought a wind vein which looks just like yours which I'm yet to fit - the guy in whitworths suggested I drill 2 small holes in the
mast top and mount it using the virtual plastic mount. What do you think ?
Looks like you're using a different approach

I measured the width of the mast top, and then bought a pvc collar from Bunnings which was a good fit, a single SS self taspper holds it on top the mast. I got a length of clear plastic tubing suitable for the bottom of the wind indicator, inserted some small cut down dowling into the bottom half to prevent the tubing squashing from the bolts, and attached the tubing to the collar using small ss bolts.

This way, the indicator is a push fit into the tubing, and can be kept in a safe place when the mast is down. I would never leave such a delicate instrument permanently attached to the mast.

BTW, I also added some reflective patches on the underside of the arrow (silver up front and red behind) to make sailing at night easier...

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

Try towing your TI for six hours in the rain on the oily Interstate (w/semi's, etc.) without a cover and see what it looks like when you arrive. I had a shoemaker cut and stitch a slot at the rear of the cover (make yourself a pattern). Now I can tow the TI without removing the rudder - it sticks up through the cover. Using the 6 attachment points and straps on the cover it tows very well.

While stored on the my trailer, on the beach, I cover it each night and it keeps nosey pinheads from investigating. I also used hog rings and permanently attached one end of each bungee on one side of the cover. When the cover's removed the bungees stay attached and don't have to be collected, stored, etc.

bill

Hence why I sprung for a cover. I probably wouldn't use it around town. But driving 1800 miles round trip to Michigan or Ohio I think it's a must.

_________________
2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

• Trampolines
• Hobie cover
• Davis Spar Fly
• Kayakbob's Sprayskirts
• Spine Board Hakas

Same same but i'll take it one further as soon as they make one for my pa i will cover it in the garage!

Fortunately the air is much cleaner where I live...

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