Just starting out

Hi all,

I've been monitoring the forum for awhile leading up to my purchase, and now that I have my boat - I thought I would register and ask for a few tips. I bought a used 2014 Tandem Island that I will mostly be sailing solo (but want the flexibility of having additional seating in case I have company) My main body of water will be Lake Michigan, sailing from Southwest Michigan (New Buffalo, St. Joseph, South Haven). I am currently taking sailing lessons, but am fairly green. I should also mention that I have a trailer for he boat. One more thing i will note - i am a large fellow. About 280 pounds. A few questions, in no particular order:

*What are the best web sites/apps to see the water conditions and wind speed? The water was pretty choppy on my maiden voyage today. Didn't see any other boats out, which should have given me a clue it was probably a bad idea to be out. Wondering the best way to check that before getting down to the water.
*Thoughts on boat launches vs. driving to the beach and dragging the boat to the water? I thought I'd be going mainly to the beach, but after trying to haul the boat around today, I am re-thinking this strategy. Do the plug-in wheels make a huge difference, or should I just launch from the boat launch? If the plug-in wheels are a good investment, should I just get one - or the pair?
*What is the maximum wind speed that it is safe for a fairly new sailor to have full sail out? At which point should I be furling?
*Is it best to sail from the front or back seat? On the forums, in videos, etc... I see a lot of folks solo sailing the TI from the back seat, but this would seem to make it harder to control the furling line and the centerboard controls.

I think that is it for now. I'm sure I will have more questions later, but those are the most pressing for now. Thanks in advance!

One plugin wheel should be fine.

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Fair Skies, Max.

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

Hi Sunchaser.
I'm sure a local can best answer the first questions.
What is the maximum wind speed? - This will vary per individual. You should note the forecast
and work out the highest wind you are comfortable with. Because you can furl the sail many of
us will go out in reasonably high winds. You will know that the wind is too strong when you start
burying the windward ama completely.
Sail from front or back seat? - The back seat is drier and keeps the nose from going under too
much when in the front seat. Some believe there is a risk of cartwheeling from the front seat.
As we don't raise the dagger board often, that's not so much a problem. I found cleating the
furling sheet a problem on one outing. I attached a light cord to an O ring, fed the furling
sheet through the ring. Took the cord under the Aka, around and over then back to the rear seat.
This allowed me to pull down the furling sheet to make sure it went into the cleat. Maybe I shouldn't
have been sailing in those winds as it was an adrenalin experience when the sail fully unfurled in high
winds.

Overall, just be patient, take your time, don't have too much sail out and you will be guaranteed lots
of fun.

PS - just proves there is no right or wrong as Tony has also posted that he uses the front seat since
me drafting a reply to tell you to use the rear seat.

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Cheers, Brian in South Australia
Tandem Island -

Thanks for all the replies - these are some good tips! I took the boat out yesterday from the boat launch, and that was much easier than trying to lug the boat down to the beach. I sailed from the back - but next time I'll try sailing from the front to see how different it is. Thanks again!

as for apps to see water currents and wind speeds try out the Navionics iPhone app, it has a free one week trial. I tried it out that way and then upgraded it for a year $9.99

Sam

I like winds in the 8 to 20 knot range. If they are lower, around here they also tend to be variable and not much fun to sail in. Slightly higher is ok, and it's doable, but it starts to become less fun and more worry, at least for me. 30 knots and I would stay home and wait for it to quiet down.

I like Windfinder and Weather Underground apps/web sites for wind and weather information. Magic Seaweed is good for tides and surf, if that is helpful in unsalted and shark-free Lake Michigan.

-Chris

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2015 TI
2009 AI (sold)
Lake Travis, Ladybird Lake, Rockport/Aransas/Padre Island
Texas, USA

Regarding wind speed... there's more to it than just the speed of the wind. Water conditions will dictate on-water performance somewhat in stronger winds. There is no magic number.

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Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au

I like winds in the 10-20 knot range. I tried sailing from the rear seat and found the furling line setup cumbersome and the dagger board was almost impossible for me to reach. I feel more comfortable in the front seat. For wind forecasts I use the windfinder app. I agree with changeman about taking your time and getting used to having more and more sail out.

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

The TI is a great beginner sailboat and is super fun! My (Chris) answers to your questions are above in red.

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Cheers,
Chris

re: beach wheels
If you sail solo, just remember you have to either lift the TI high enough to insert the wheels or roll the TI on its side.......unless you can install the wheels as you slide the TI off the trailer and then remove and/or install the wheels while standing in shallow water. Weather and wind will determine that option.

I prefer the Hobie Dolly for my 2014 TI. Just an opinion.

bill

As not to confuse the OP, I think you meant leeward ama.

I'd only add that the Garmin BlueChart mobile app with USA map upgrade (around $40) and the weather upgrade (around $5) have been well worth the price. I can see multiple weather parameters including wind speed, direction, wave state, dew points, temps, GRIB forecasts for a week out, etc. It interfaces with ActiveCaptain and allows route planning (not navigation though). Very impressed with it.