AI and TI - kayak vs. sail mode

The recent debates on 2015 versatility tradeoffs have me wondering- to what extent are people using their TIs and AIs as kayaks vs sailing trimarans?

I'll start it off:

Until this past August, all my kayaking excursions over the last several years were in a Wilderness Systems tandem sit-inside. This was a fine creek and river boat for minimalist camping trips. Then we took it on several trips to the Ten Thousand Island in Florida. Crossing the bays and even approaching the gulf became scary and dangerous, even with a spray skirt. My friend and I also longed for longer trips and more gear than we could stuff into a 14 ft (4.5 m) sit inside. I finally broke down in August and and took the spousal abuse that came with buying a 2014 Hobie TI.

So how have I used it (and how will I)?
Because if why I bought it, it is primarily a trimaran for me, either sailing or pedaling. I have used it as a true kayak only once, when I first took my wife out on it and didn't want to make it complicated. I have also fallen in love with sailing it, so that adds to its use as a trimaran. I can see where I might like to do quick trips through the mangrove creeks as a kayak, but have yet to do so. I would never use it as a kayak in the small creeks around my home in central Georgia; it is too big and heavy to get down banks and over logs, and I don't mind beating up my old sit inside for that. If I go to the lakes close to home, I want the sail, amas, and tramps available. When I use it for diving, I DEFINITELY want it in trimaran mode.

Summary: I anticipate using my Hobie as 95% trimaran and 5% kayak. If I need a real kayak, I probably won't take the TI. BUT - I like having the kayak mode as an option.

What are your thoughts?

I purchased mine with the sailing aspect in mind. I didn't want the hassle of rigging a skiff/dingy, but I enjoy sailing. My wife, kids, and I also enjoy kayaking, so this was the best of both worlds in my mind. I don't know how much time we will spend in kayak mode. My guess is not more than 2% of the time. I can't take the whole family out in just kayak mode and I don't own any other kayaks.

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

I sail most of the time but it isa great workout to just pedal for an hour.

I have only used my AI once in pure kayak mode. I've always thought it neat to have that option, but have rarely exercised it.

Never used mine without the sail/amas. To me the TI is a "boat", and I take every care with it I can, including spending a few hours post-sail cleaning and lubricating all the parts, blocks and drives.

I do have a nice Ocean Kayak tandem that I got used for cheap (they are widely available here on CL), and that is my "beater boat" - toss it around, bump into the reef, drag up and down the beach. No metal to rust or blocks to get jammed with sand. I much prefer that over trying to use my TI without the sail gear.
-RH

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

I intend to try my '15 TI as just-a-kayak - someday... Once I've put in a lot more sailing hours! (Not to mention waiting for the water to warm up enough I don't mind a dunking...)

If it were my ONLY kayak, I'd use it quite a bit as just-a-kayak. I often go paddling with friends in situations where the Island setup would be cumbersome. However I already have four other kayaks of various types that are each suited for different types of paddling - including my workhorse Outback.

So I doubt I'll use it very often in kayak mode by myself, but it is my only *tandem* so if someone (like my mom) wants to go along that isn't really up to paddling a long way I can take it and do most of the work for them.

I'd say I go tri-mode 60% of the time, outrigger mode 25% and kayak mode 15%. I just use whichever configuration suits the conditions and location. And yes, I expect nothing will change with the new Island. I'll be using that in all 3 configs for sure. It might not be quite as quick in kayak mode (especially if propelled by paddle), but I doubt there's going to be a huge difference.

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

60% full trimaran mode, 39% single outrigger, 1% kayak. But that was in the UK where I sat mainly at anchor fishing. Over here in Australia chasing pelagics and drifting over reef and sandbanks I doubt I'll be at anchor much at all, so I'm thinking I'll be 90% in full trimaran mode.

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Every day is an Adventure Island day

I'm curious about "outrigger mode". Never really thought about doing that before, under what circumstances would you do that?

Of course it's hard to put a % figure on usage but at a guess I'd say:
TI- 80% trimaran, 20% kayak
Since getting the TI back in 2010 the AI figures are probably the opposite:
AI- 20% trimaran, 80% kayak. These figures are skewed because I commute in Adventure mode. Twice a week for the last 8 years I have travelled to work in the afternoon for a nightshift, returning the next morning. Depending on the weather I'll paddle, pedal or sail with the small sail.
Before I got the TI I'd say my AI usage was roughly 50/50, tri/kayak.
I've never tried single outrigger mode.

Random Joe- Single outrigger mode is primarily used for fishing as it clears one side of the kayak of the ama/aka obstacles.

Stringy,
Let me get this straight - you KAYAK to WORK?!?

That has to be the most awesome thing I've ever read!!

I like to think for me it was half/ half.. I really liked to paddle my old AI... and I really like to sail it.. on calm days the old AI was a great paddle kayak and hard to keep up with... now I will be hoping for more wind and less paddling days with the new model... lol and maybe I will just keep a 2014 AI for my paddle kayak... hope you all get your deliveries soon.. this dock stuff sucks

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I love AI kayak fishing

We are traversing the Murray River in Australia in stages to cover the 2,375 Kilometres (1,475 miles).
Although the surface area is 1.061 million km² (409,800 sq miles), near the top of the river it is not
wide enough to tack under sail.
So we have started in kayak mode as below with our TI and it has worked well but we will not be paddling or
even pedalling that distance. We have already started using the 3 HP motor and the amas are back on.
So, probably less than 1% kayak, 10% tri and 90% sail.
Those maths are right as we use the TI more than 100%

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Cheers, Brian in South Australia
Tandem Island -

Past 2 yrs, 100% AI trimaran mode. I have a surfski and two 19' sea kayaks (Current Designs Extreme), but I not using any of those either--you could say I'm done with sea kayaking.

Keith

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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

Thanks Totch, but maybe you should broaden your reading a bit more!
Seriously though, I am very fortunate to be able to do this. For 12 years I had a 2hour train commute, then I got shifted closer to home and had a 1hour train trip. Then I got shifted only 12 kms from home, so now I bike ride on day shifts and kayak on night shifts, all year round.
I reckon the Hobie is the best kayak for this. No matter what the weather the awesome Miragedrive gets me through. 30 knot winds are no problem ...in fact I've come to enjoy it when it gets really rough. The stripped down AI hull is brilliant in pretty much anything. And most mornings when it's calm and glassy, out comes the paddle for a relaxing just over 5km paddle home.