I use this configuration for cruising down rivers, it's better than any other kayak I've tried.

There is no question that the Hobie TI is one of the world's best kayaks if not the best.

Can the Island be used without the outriggers and sail? If it's a windless day, could we just kayak/pedal/paddle?

I just did a 200 mile river cruise in my TI. For kayak camping, I think the best way to go is leave the akas and amas attached and load all your gear on hakas. Being able to hop off the boat, grab one or two dry duffles off the hakas to set up camp is far and away a better option than trying to load you gear inside the boat. I put a few items in the front hatch and on the rear platform, but the bulk of everything else goes on the hakas. Putting anything in the hatches under the seats is a giant pain in the neck. And stuff inside the hull can interfere with rudder controls, which can be um, interesting.

I've got a 2012 Mirage Oasis tandem for daytrips, but the TI is much more comfortable and capable. And sailing is so much fun!

We did the LRR Challenge down the Savannah River from Augusta, GA to Edisto Beach, SC. Of the 250 miles we traveled, 190 miles of the race was on the Savannah river with the rig down and us pedalling. We pedalled probably another 10 or so miles on the Intracoastal one morning as well when the wind went to zero. We averaged ~58 miles per day for the whole challenge and were on the water 11-13 hours each day.

Whoa! Let's not get carried away. The AI 2/TI are outstanding kayak sailboats, but I don't think you would take one, stripped down to kayak-mode on a serious ocean expedition. No one has ever done the WaterTribe Everglades Challenge in an AI 2/TI in kayak-mode, for example.

Keith