storage/launch option

I eagerly await the 2016 Adventure Island. Dealer said it would be here in October. Fingers crossed.

I would appreciate suggestions regarding my unique storage/use situation.

I will be storing the AI at a boat club that offers outdoor storage and a launching dock. The AI will be transported over grass, sidewalk, and a metal ramp down to a floating dock. The Hobie dolly with heavy duty wheels should work well for launching, but how well would it perform for long term outdoor storage with the Hobie cover? What could be used to support the bow of the boat? What is the best way to secure it for a Northeastern winter? There is indoor storage for the mast, sail, and mirage drive. Can the seat, centerboard and rudder remain under the cover? Also, the boat should be easily wheeled out of the way to accommodate other boats and allow for ground maintenance.

I know the trailex trailer with cradle set would be more stable, but how well would it work for launching? I do not foresee needing a car trailer. I strictly need a lightweight launching option and heavy duty secure outdoor storage. Is it possible to get both needs met with one product?

Any suggestions would be appreciated?

Thank you.

Carol

Leaving it on the dolly is not a good idea. It will develop a bend in the hull. Your best bet would either be to store it upside down on the gunnels or on a trailer with either the Hobie cradles or PVC bunks.

_________________
2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

Hi TI_Tom,

Thanks for your response. That's the answer I expected. After spending mucho $ on the boat, I realize the absurdity of risking damage.

I've been looking online for options that may work for both storage and launching. The Trailex SUT-220-AI and SUT-220-S appear to be the lightest trailers on the market. The SUT-220-S would need to be modified with crossbars to accommodate the cradle set, but is likely the more affordable option considering free shipping and free parking jack from Castle Craft.

What about using the jack (http://castlecraft.com/store/trailextra ... k-swing-up) to roll AI to dock and a winch to get the AI back up onto the dock. I could always purchase a launching dolly later if the extra girth and weight of a trailer is unmanageable.

Am I missing something in this line of reasoning? Does this sound doable?

Thanks again for your input.

If you wanted to save a little you could forgo the cradles and install DIY pvc bunks. It'll save you about $250. The trailex trailers are nice and light, but you pay for that. I have a custom galvanized for my TI that I can move around without too much trouble. My dealership made it. Might want to see what else is available around you.

Another option would be to make a fixed bunk using 2x4's and pvc in the storage yard and then just use a dolly to move the boat to and from storage and the water. If the fixed bunks were the right height then transferring between the dolly and bunks shouldn't be too hard.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

_________________
2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

You could use the dolly or scupper cart as planned for transport. But for storage you need something more. If you make a couple simple 2x4 wood frames with some 1 1/2" pvc mounted on 11 inch centers with the frames 1 near each end, maybe 8 ft long or so. You should be able to roll the boat up onto the rails easily. If you make the rails slightly higher than the scupper wheels you can just leave the scupper cart under the boat during storage (it's not supporting any weight when on the pvc bunks).
You may need to add another 2x4 brace that you can slide in under the back of the boat for good measure. If it needs to be rolled around castor wheels could be added if needed, but you will need a little more framing for castors. I would use pressure treated lumber and bolts and nuts so it can easily be broke down when needed.
Another option would be to remove one AMA and just tip the boat on it's side against a wall (I stored several TI's that way for several years. The TI is really heavy with the AMA's on, but no worse than an Oasis with them removed transport wise so we tend to always remove the AMA's and carry and store them separately, but thats just us.

Or remove the wheels and store on flat ground (right side up covered). There are several stored that way at our local sailing squadron.
Try to keep it out of the sun if you can though. Then again we are in Florida and it never gets cold so your situation might be different. We store ours on the trailer in our garage which works well for us.
Just some ideas
FE

I second what fusioneng posted about removing the akas and amas. Removing them makes moving the TI much easier. I would also remove the seats and store indoor with your Mirage drives since you have that option.

We stored our TI on the ground (bottom down) for awhile and did notice some change in the shape of the hull. This happened even though I did my best to find a level spot. Now that we have the boat in the water pretty much full time because of our current trip down the East Coast on the TI, the hull has returned to its normal shape and all seems good. If you can, the best way to store the TI is probably upside down on the gunnels, as Hobie suggests, even though that can be a little more difficult. But if it will be stored for many months unused, that is the way to go.

We opted for a Trailblazer galvanized trailer with the Hobie cradles plus a small bow roller to support the TI. We got the trailer from http://www.lancastercountymarine.com/trailershome.html. It wasn't cheap but it's durable and good for long distance travel.

_________________
Cheers,
Chris

I also am new to the TI family. I have an E Z Load john boat trailer that I was going to add the hobie cradle set to for movement and storage. What do y'all think, should I go cheap and just put on some PVC pipe or add the cradles and one cross member (to support the front cradle). My issues are storage and supporting the AMAs since the PVC does not address that issue. Your thoughts??? Wicked Good, any pics of how your trailer set up??

I don't have any photos of the trailer and it's a few states away at the moment. You can see it in this video on You Tube from the dealer though https://youtu.be/FGgM45OIenw.

_________________
Cheers,
Chris

I have the cradles and the rear one has already busted after only one season. I plan on reconfiguring with pvc before next spring. I was going to add a couple of extra pieces of pvc to support the amas.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

_________________
2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

I really hate the idea of storing the TI by wrestling it to sit on its gunnels and then also having to wrestle it back upright when I want to work on it or sail.

I've got some extra resin and clothe and have thought about simply turning the boat on its gunnels to use a template to lay-up an exact shape of its factory bottom (or at least the middle third or so), reinforced with some low cost 1 inch PVC pipe running fore and aft to add rigidity.

My thinking is the boat could be stored right side up, forever in such a customized long term storage cradle and/or perhaps also used on the Trailer.

Am I suffering from cabin fever and “winteritise” and does this sound nuts to anyone (or everyone)?

I made a simple pvc frame that rested on top of a couple of storage totes. Totes were positioned under the drive wells. I then used a third tote with cushion to provide support under the bow. I used that a couple of years with no problems. I have since moved to storage on my trailer, but I use the same PVC concept as others have outlined. Simple and very cost effective.

_________________
Randy
2013 Tandem Island "Frenzy"

I don't know anyone who stores their TI upside down, the things are too dang heavy for me to flip. Why can't you just get a 4x8 sheet of plywood, screw down a couple 1 1/4 pieces of Pvc pipe on 11 inch centers, then just store the whole works on there right side up. If you want to get fancy you can glue some foam block to the deck to help supprt the AMA's a little better, but that's not mandatory either, the boat settles nice and evenly right on the plywood. The whole works shouldn't cost more than $20 bucks or so. My TI is stored on my trailer full time in my hot florida garage similarly with no issues. Adding castors under it would make it nice to roll around in the garage when you have to get the X-mas decorations out (lol)
Hope this helps
FE

I've stored mine on the cart for the last couple of years and just blocked up both ends with a block of wood. I've had no problem. (click on facebook link to see photo)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153602331013046&set=a.10150123706973046.289909.591813045&type=3

_________________

Hi Carol,

Your club sounds exactly like my club!

Anyhow, my first year they gave me a spot 15 feet from the ramp. YeeHaw! - in the water faster than you can say capsize. This year - exact opposite. 100 feet from the ramp. What I found is that I actually went out a little less because I was tired of rolling it across the lawn with a cheap little set of kayak wheels.

Ease of getting it to and from the launch/water is number one in my pursuit for a better option. Yes, the hull can deform or fatten if left to sit on it's bottom, or develop a nice dent if left to sit on a cheap little set of kayak wheels, (they go away). I believe the weight distribution that the Hobie TI or AI dolly offers will negate that.

You may want to, (or you may be required to by your club) prop one end of the trailer up when storing it to drain and keep the cover from gathering standing water which attracts mosquitoes (club req). You can always make a prop at the other end to distributed weight even more.

_________________
2007 AI - starting to fall apart