Tandem Catching an Island in 20 knots

Fellows,
If we take the video for more than what it is, that being a fun example of how fast an Island can go downwind in good winds, we might discover that there is more than meets the casual eye here. To wit, there is a reason beyond that of mere waterline length or raw sail area, why the tandem blew past the AI.

A careful viewer of the video will note, for just a brief moment, that from the stern of the tandem's port ama, 2 lines appear leading towards...well it's not exactly clear towards what. However, anyone who has watched some of Mr. Spook's excellent videos showing his modifications to his boats, will realize that those lines are meant to attach to the clew of his mainsail and act as a barber-hauler, pulling the sail out and away from the hull, thus increasing its effective sail area on a broad reach or a run.

Mr. Chekika will note that the AI that Mr. Spook passes, has his mainsheet pulling directly back to the stern of his boat and, lacking the advantage of a barber-hauler, is handily passed by Mr. Spook. And very unsportingly too, I might add.

Mr. Chekika will also note that he was presented with a live example of just such a phenomenon not 3 weeks ago when he, I and several others were sailing together in the Eveglades, specifically on a breezy 15-18 knot broad reach from Highland Beach to Northwest Cape. At that time, he will remember, I, in a humble AI2, passed not only his AI and all the other AIs, but also both tandems, including a tandem with only one person aboard. He will further note that I passed them all whilst reefed, as in my inexperience, I became alarmed that the bow was repeatedly diving into the wave in front of me and I had yet to learn that this was a mere 'feature' rather than a serious problem.

And while we can ascribe my boat's superior performance to my extraordinary sailing skills, truth be known, it was really due to my having the only proper barber-hauler amongst the fleet. And this due to my having watched Mr. Spook's videos and blatantly copied him.

The lesson here being that either boat, be it tandem or AI, will easily pass the other, if the passing boat possesses the advantage of a barber-hauler.

Removed by Chekika, 2-18-2016

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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

Let's put this into perspective. I was also there on the day this video was taken.

1. Spook did not have his barber-hauler attached when this video was taken.
2. He is actually on a small wave near the entrance of a bar, hence the vast pick -up of speed. The AI has slowed due to the fact that he is no longer on a wave and has his sail in tighter, losing sail power on the downwind run.
3. When Spook first got his TI, he was slower than our AI2's. He now has it tuned in perfectly and going faster than our AI2's, particularly on the downwind runs.

The day was an absolute blast with very strong winds in a sheltered passage. Hell of a lot of fun pushing the boats to their limits.

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2021 Dune Hobie Lynx

We all sail in different waters and, perhaps, to different drummers.

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

Hi Everyone, with this much comment I thought I would add my thoughts about this video. Firstly to be honest I should not have allowed the club to sail this day, but we had moved location into a sheltered area rather than the open sea. I have since updated our club guidelines to cancel these events.

I did'nt put this up here for any other reason than to show off how good a sail this was and what conditions you can sail in. Yes i went faster than the Island but I have a bigger sail and water line length and the wind is behind me. So rather than focus on the technical issues which always seams to be the way in these forums. This is why you don't see many posts from me, I could show you some things I have done and a debate would ensue from someone who has far too much time on his hands and who has no idea what they are talking about.

We should be focusing on the pure fun aspect that we had this day and the video is simply to share the joy, not the speed in which I pull in the Adventure Island. This is one of my most awesome videos and we had a ball and thats the point, not barber haulers or waves or my boats better than your or anything like that, it's the fun a group of people in the Island Club had that day. and didn't break anything.

So if you see me post again, its to share with you something I feel is pretty dam good. Please appreciate it and share your feelings but don't go getting al scientific and adding you pics and comments and picking the stuffing out of what was just pure fun.

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Sth East Qld Hobie Island Club Captain.
https://www.seqic.com.au

I am blessed indeed because I like the videos and the ‘getting all scientific and adding your pics and comments’.

Gives me the opportunity to sincerely thank the many knowledgeable contributors to this Forum whose generous sharing of ideas has made my messing about in Hobies over the last two years better and safer, thus more fun.

1+ Lead Belly

About that barber hauler Spook. Tell us more please. I intended to do something like this but with the block at the aft aka (or ama handle) rather than the aft pad eye on the ama. Thought it might be easier to rig the lines. Is there a performance difference between the two positions? I notice you don't leave the mainsheet attached to the main when using the barber hauler any more. Did it have a negative effect on the main's clew position, pulling it closer to the hull?

Have you had a chance to measure the speed difference once you deploy the barber hauler?

Nice job on the boat mods. I may follow your lead on some of these.

Edit: I should add that my boat is an AI and that may make a difference in your response.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

+1 Lead Belly
+1 Vetgam
I'm interested in the barber hauler as well Spook.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

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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'm curious about how much more we gain in speed by using a spiniker /reacher vs using a barber hauler on the main in the way spook has done. Anyone have a guess or some thoughts?

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

Tandem Island Tweakers are here and they work very well. http://www.seqic.com.au/hobie-adventure-island-how-to-guides-and-mods/tandem-island-tweakers/

Adventure Island Setup is here http://www.seqic.com.au/hobie-adventure-island-how-to-guides-and-mods/hobie-adventure-island-mods-sail-controls-tweakers-and-steering-controls/

These mods will increase the performance of your boat in reaching and downwind conditions. They are simple and easy to setup and do not get in the way. I do this to every Island I get.

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Sth East Qld Hobie Island Club Captain.
https://www.seqic.com.au

I made a barber hauler like spooks and sailed with it this week. I made the $5 version. Still, I was very impressed on the downwind performance boost. It will be interesting to compare to the reacher. Should be able to do that next weekend.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

For those unwilling or unable to spend >$200 building Spook's barber haulers, if you cut a quarter inch notch in each end of your standard Hobie paddle, you can hook the knot on the line dangling from the clew of the sail, and push the clew out to make the same efficient sail shape. This mod will cost you nothing, and will not leave you with any more loose rope ends in the cockpit, nor lock you into using the one seat on a TI.

Can I suggest you carry out this mod first, before deciding whether you need to open your wallet.

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

Yea I agree with Tony, try the notched paddle trick first (I'm talking about the double ended decoration piece attach to the side of every Hobie (lol). It's already there might as well use it for something. If you get tired of holding the paddle when using as a barbor hauler, the other end fits nicely into the mesh pocket of the boat. Besides I believe Coast guard requires you to have a paddle on board and easily accessible (like pfd's), might as well use it for something.
FE

I have used the notched paddle blade for about 2 years. Spook's hauler is a noticable boost. Take a line of paracord with a clip on the end. Hook it onto the Mains clew and wrap it it around the peg furthest out on a rear aka that the am a bungee wraps around. Tie the paracord to anything on the hull. Completely relax the main sheet and let the barber hauler direct the clew.

Costs a buck or so and stores in the hull pocket. I think you will see what I mean. You guys with the big Tandem & AI2 sails may not need or benefit from extra downwind sails if you use this.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis