In this topic we'll look at tandem sailing and compare solo sailing from the front and rear cockpits
Setting up: Very similar to the AI, the boat can be assembled before launch easily by attaching the akas and amas. Of course, if you have a trailer, there isn't much set-up at all. I like to step the mast and rig the sheet and furler once the boat is rolled into the water.
Notice the aka braces attach behind the aka and are best accessed from the rear cockpit.
They may also be set up from the front cockpit by sitting side saddle and reaching back. The bungee attached to the aka above is used to secure it to the side of the boat when the amas are collapsed -- paddle bungees are no longer employed for this.
Sailing tandem: Someone forgot to schedule the wind when we went out. But that's the beauty of having a couple of Mirage Drives -- you can make your own wind!
We headed out anyway and picked up a light breeze about 1/2 mile away (out of camera range). It was a very peaceful and uneventful sail -- I should have brought the wine and cheese. For its part, the tandem was very comfortable, handled well and glided along nicely on the light breeze.
The next crew member brought a little more wind and we put the boat through some tacks, jibes and various points of sail. The boat tracked well on reaches, carried good momentum through the tacks and was quite dry.
You can really feel the stability of the boat. I had no trouble standing up to take a couple of pics from a different viewpoint.
Later I sat in the front seat and we finally got some wind. I liked the front seat view as we clipped along. With an increase in the wind I got out on the tramps and lounged around. Handling the mainsheet from the tramp is not a problem. Here's a view from the tramp of a pair of AIs chasing us
Speaking of speed, the AIs in the area gave a rough measure about comparative speeds. IMO, the TI seems to be about as fast as the AI with both crew sitting in the cockpit. In higher breezes with one out on the tramp I think the TI has an edge in speed.
Solo sailing from the front seat: It works, but seems to make the nose a bit heavy. Certainly no control problems or sailing issues, but I think it could be a little wetter and it's harder to watch the telltales. There would be less rudder authority downwind in a rolling sea.
Solo sailing from the back seat: This could reflect my own bias, but IMO, the back seat is place to do it! The weight of the amas and akas forward mitigate the need for any balast, the view is great, you're in very dry territory and the bow will lift for planing at about 9 to 9.5 MPH.
Of all the sailing modes, this is the best and fastest (and obviously my favorite)!! Who needs a passenger? It's like riding on a magic carpet -- hard to wipe that big cheesy grin off your face!
There were some good wind gusts over at Lake Hodges yesterday -- not the most ideal sailing. Yet, the TI handled everything under full sail. Here's a picture of an ama. Note how clean it cuts through the water. I wasn't able to bury one (would have in the AI).
Here's a picture riding a boat wake (just can't say no to those things)
Cruising in Mission Bay:
Overtaking larger sailboats wasn't much strain:
With one person aboard the boat is definitely faster than the AI, is very responsive, accelerates quickly and yet feels totally under control -- solid without feeling heavy. In other words, if my crew member shows any reluctance to go out sailing, I'll be out the door before they change their mind!
The only gripe I had was a tendency for the boat to drift left without constant rudder input. The rudder may have been hanging up on the edge of its locking seat. This wasn't constant through all the sessions so I think it may have been just the circumstances of that particular rudder -- maybe warped. Just something to watch for.
Overall I love the way this machine sails! Refined manners, good speed, great fun! Next topic will be pedaling.
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