Garage Length to fit TI on Trailer

Hi:

I'm considering purchasing a new 2016 Tandem Island and a Trailex SUT-350-S with 3 Cradle sets. I would store it in my garage on the trailer. I'm wondering if it will fit length wise. Can anyone provide the length of a Tandem Island on a Trailex SUT-350-S?

Thanks
Steve

I don't have a trailex trailer, but it's similar in design. I can get a measurement for you when I get home.

FYI, I would hold off on the Hobie cradles. Mine didn't last long, only one season with them and I already have a busted one. At $300+ a set they are really expensive for just some plastic. For much less you can get some super strut/unistrut and some PVC and make bunks. I'm in the process of that right now.

_________________
2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

Hi Steve,

I had to chuckle when I saw your question - possibly the first thing that I did after learning of the TI's existence was to go measure my garage: My 2015 TI on the Trailex 350 takes 20' 6". I added a winch and wheel to the front of my 350 and scooted the TI back a few inches to allow clearance between my liftgate and the winch handle.

While I have the standard Hobie cradles, I have thought that rollers and PVC might make better supports (mostly when pulling the boat out at low tide).

FWIW, the boat does live outside when I drag it back to PA - the Hobie cover does a good job of keeping things protected and I run a long cable through the mirage drive well, around the trailer and through a securing point.

I also want the SUT 350.
My garage is 18 feet and 8 inches long. Length of SUT 350 is 18' 6" from their website which means it can fit in my garage. However I cannot install a winch because I will need to slide the kayak forward. And what that means is once i move the boat forward, cradle position goes out of its preferred location against the kayak. I'm not in a rush so I'll wait till I see something that solves this kind of issue for Hobie TI 2015. One thing 2015 has is the Venturi which becomes an obstacle for using PVC. Or just remove this Venturi so I can use PVC which will allow me to reposition kayak when storing inside garage.

To deal with the venture drains I will probably just heat up the PVC and create a concave section for the drain to sit in.

_________________
2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

I removed the " Venturi speed drains " at the dealer while picking up my TI. No Problemos so far - just sayin

There are many posts about pvc bunks, I made quite a few, IM(not so)HO they are the only way to go.

If your garage ends up a little short you can always cut the tongue and install a bolt on fold away coupler.
http://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=trai ... ing_Tongue

Chris

Steve,

I have a similar situation in that I currently fit a TI and two cars in a 2-1/2 car garage. If you follow this forum for a while, you soon realize that TI trailers are like snowflakes – no two are exactly alike, so to a certain extent, you are on your own.

I have a 350-AIT and 3 cradles. I like it, but the extra tongue length of the 350-S would be preferable. Regardless of the trailer used, the important thing to keep in mind is that boat is longer than the trailer so the biggest factor in the OAL is where you position the boat on the trailer (how much boat is hanging off the end of the trailer). I position my boat as far forward as possible. The bow is less than a foot behind the trailer ball and the winch is close to my rear bumper. The downside to this setup is I can’t hop over the tongue to get from one side to the other. Also, this may not be feasible with a hatchback vehicle.

http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w36 ... easyva.jpg

Once the boat is positioned, you must test the tongue weight and move the wheelbase frame fore or aft to get the proper balance.
You can also pick up a few inches my pulling the rudder pin and storing the rudder on top of the hull. I do this during the winter.

Gary

2014 TI
1984 Hobie Hawk RC Glider

Thanks so much for all the great posts. I chuckled at Gary's comment: "you soon realize that TI trailers are like snowflakes – no two are exactly alike". I'm starting to understand that. I looked at your photobucket with all your mods, very cool.

That's the first I heard about the Venturi speed drains. I just did some site searches and found some posts and pictures. Thanks!

I'm glad you mentioned the swing away tounge as an option if I need to.

I just read several threads on the PVC bunks. Yet another thing I hadn't seen yet.

Thanks so much folks. I so appreciate it.
Steve

Gary
I like your haka. I'll make the same one. I'm not sure if yours can be bolted/attached on top of trampoline.
Was that a DIY? Looks like you bought it. I'm only 160 lbs so that design is perfect for me. Did you post where you bought the parts? I search your postings. Also like the way you added the bike rack. Will copy that too. Thanks

I have PVC on my AI trailer, and just sliced the PVC perpendicular to the length about where the venturi drain is, plus some, then heated up the PVC and pushed it in with a screwdriver. Perfect fit now. No damage to the venturi after a year of loading and unloading (basically weekly)

Awesome, good to know.

_________________
2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

With the rudder on but in the up position the boat and trailer measure out to ~21ft. I have 8" to spare in front of the trailer coupler and 9" to the back wall from the rudder. But I don't have a trailex either. Mine was custom built by my dealer.

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

Thank you again for all your great help. I so appreciate it.

Steve