Planning on Sailing TI from San Diego to the Panama Canal

Hi Everyone,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I am planning on paddling/sailing the TI from San Diego down to the Panama Canal starting November 2017. I have't purchased a TI yet but plan to soon. I have sailed one a few times however. Back in 1933 two adventurers named Dana and Ginger Lamb made a custom 16 foot canoe w/ sail and did the same thing. I am planning on recreating their trip. I have already done quite a bit of research, now I just need to get on the water and practice using the TI and making a few modifications to allow me to cover the long distances in remote areas. Just wanted to say hi.

http://www.paddletopanama.com
http://www.facebook.com/paddletopanama
http://www.twitter.com/paddletopanama
http://instagram.com/paddletopanama/

Patrick

_________________
Paddling from San Diego to Panama

http://www.paddletopanama.com
http://www.facebook.com/paddletopanama
http://www.twitter.com/paddletopanama
http://instagram.com/paddletopanama/

I have to say... not a great idea. Hobie Islands were not designed for offshore use, let alone a rigorous extended expedition. The coast of Baja is rugged. It has been done on all kinds of craft of course, but just understand that Hobie does not support this type of use for our products.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Boy that's a political answer Matt. Might I remind you that a family of 4 just completed a trip through Europe on 2 TI's and that included open Mediterranean crossings. Not to mention the numerous EC's these vessels have completed. Hobie might not recommend it, but they are definitely being used for such adventures.

Patrick, good luck in your adventure I wish you fair winds. Keep us posted on your mods. When you set sail keep us up to date on your progress.

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

Not forgetting of course, Trevor Chatham's epic 600 mile trip up the east coast of Australia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIkkf6lXedU

But I have no concerns about Matt taking the company line regarding the design limitations of these marvelous vessels; of course Hobie could not endorse such journeys (even though I bet they are privately proud to hear of such confirmation of the design)

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

Have to...

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I understand. I got the same answer when I went into the Hobie headquarters in Oceanside to talk to people there about possible sponsorship. I don't think any 18ft craft was made for an open ocean long distance trip. However as the past posters showed, it has been done before (but note quite as long). While the dangers faced by the Lambs were certainly greater than I will be facing, there are still some big stretches without towns along the coast. I am most concerned with the massive waves and high winds in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, Gulf of Fonseca and the Gulf of Papagayo. Fortunately from what I have seen Hobie has fair parts distribution in Mexico and Central America where I should be able to fix anything within a good time.

_________________
Paddling from San Diego to Panama

http://www.paddletopanama.com
http://www.facebook.com/paddletopanama
http://www.twitter.com/paddletopanama
http://instagram.com/paddletopanama/

I would not be so sure about getting parts so easily here in Central America. Often these distributors carry minimum inventory with non existent spare parts. The new one here in Costa Rica, doesn't even want to talk to you if you are not buying a new kayak. Even that is difficult. I would plan for carrying your own extra parts. Having weathered your new kayak will be key in preparation. Consider a light 2.3hp Honda motor would go a long way for backup measures, launching and landing.
Have a list of enthusiasts along the way may be a key source for information and parts.
To make this trip a much safer successful trip, a partner kayak could be key.

_________________
Mark
Tandem Island- 2013
2 - Sports - 2014

Sorry Matt. Sometimes I forget that because you work for Hobie, what you say on the forum could be misconstrued as a position by Hobie and not just your personal opinion. I just didn't want to dash paddletopanama's dream.

_________________
2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

Thanks for the information on the stores down there. I am definitely planning on carrying some of my own parts. I guess I will try more on shipping parts from the US down to the places I need them. I've thought about a motor, but I think I would be more compelled to use it when it gets difficult, and I want to make the trip close in scope to the original one.

_________________
Paddling from San Diego to Panama

http://www.paddletopanama.com
http://www.facebook.com/paddletopanama
http://www.twitter.com/paddletopanama
http://instagram.com/paddletopanama/

I can appreciate your intention of trying to keep the trip in it's original capabilities, but really, using a TI is already outside that scope.
Your biggest danger for damage to the kayak will come from the launching and landing. Once on the water, your good to go, other than the obvious adverse weather or debris.

I would imagine your going to be forced to land or launch in some fairly hefty surf, regardless of how well you plan in advance. The TI is not an easy vessel to maneuver in such conditions. Think of it as a barge, especially without a motor.
A motor would go far in helping you to traverse through this dangerous procedure, giving you some maneuverability. Getting in and out of the surf with speed is a huge aspect of safety. I am sure with practice you will see what I'm talking about after you acquire the TI.
Regardless of parts on hand, a faulty landing or launching could bring catastrophic failure to your kayak and thus end your trip.
Pay close attention to this forum history to find those parts needed in spare along with some simple DIY additions to make to your kayak. Keep us posted on your progress with preparation and I'm sure we can help steer you along with some tips.

Note: (Even with a motor on my TI/AI over the past few years and much practice, I would not feel good about launching or landing in most of the surf here in Costa Rica Pacific, so I don't chance it, yeah, you may succeed some (even most) of the time, but it only takes one time to go South real fast. I can only imagine how it would be along that Baja Peninsula, rugged to say the least.)

I may be just crazy enough to throw in with you. Have had thoughts of such a trip before. But after many a long 50-75 mile days of TI fishing out front, sunrise to sunset, I give pause to the idea.

_________________
Mark
Tandem Island- 2013
2 - Sports - 2014

Did that trip from Eureka Calif on a larger trihull (44' Cross Trimaran) several years ago. You are correct to be concerned about the Gulf of Tehuantepec as well as several other areas. Many cruisers go 200 miles offshore to escape the offshore winds only to find out it doesn't always work out. We met a couple that tried that and encountered such strong winds (200 miles out) it actually blew off their running lights and did major damage to their 40' sailboat. The captains lady friend said she saw him on his hands and knees below deck praying to his dead grandmother to save them. Must have worked as they did make it. You may want to try it if you go.

We also encountered a most unbelievable lightning storm off Costa Rica with bolts hitting within less than a hundred feet - TERRIFYING. Blew out out jib before we could drop it - started blowing our boat backwards so fast it kept trying to rip the wheel out on my hands every time it went past midship. That was with our 40HP Mercedes engine at full speed ahead. Google Gold Eagle trimaran off Costa Rica - you can read my report to the manufacturer of the sea parachute we deployed that saved our beacon that day.

Next day after sailing thru miles of floating debris including full sized trees discharged from rivers, we made it into Punta Arena, Costa Rica where we met 3 professional multihull racers that were headed to San Diego who were dismasted in the same gale and forced to cut off all their rigging to keep from sinking their racing cat.

You may want to try a few shorter trips first?

That trip is over 3000 miles according to what I just measured on google earth. Trying to attempt on a Tandem Island that hasn't been heavily modified in my opinion would be foolish. Even with a heavily modified Island with massive sail sets and outboards, the trip in my opinion would be too much of a stretch for Adventure type boats.

However if you were operating in concert from a 60 ft or larger mothership (something ocean worthy) with food, bedding, water, replenishment, and support crew it would be possible. The support ship would also be home base for film crew with several powerboats and skiffs. You can still do all the stuff your describing.
My advise would be to model it around something like what the Transparent sea people did.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXWlWfD-8Wg


Of course you will need to come up with a real theme or cause that you can exploit. Then go out and get sponsors and rich green people with a lot of money to throw large sums of money at you to support whatever cause you decide you want to be the hero of. I think whales has been done, you might try the plight of turtles, sponges, or jelly fish or some other form of sea life that happens to inhabit that area along the way. Make up a slick video and wait for the money to roll in.

Sounds like a lot of fun, and if you do it right you can make millions. Especially with book and movie rights. I'm pretty sure that Danish family is now set for life, they will be able to ride that horse for years to come.

Good luck
FE

I think it can be done, modified and motor or like Bob's TI, motors. You are going to have to map out every possible safe landing site. Think of it like an athlete, focus on each segment, not the whole trip. No more than 40 miles per segment. This gives you room for error and time to enjoy. I am planning a trip from Jaco up to Playa Coco in the Gulf of Papagayo. There will be 4 segments of roughly 40 miles or less. I will have arranged for stays on each stop near the beach where I can pull my TI onto. Gas will be available. Each stop is protected from rough surf. I will probably spend more than one night in each stop, for fun and nearby fishing. I think if you approach it like this and do further research into identifying all possible safe landing locations, you will do fine. Sticking close to shore, following weather reports, not taking chances and getting off the water when threatened. You can do it.

I do like Bob's idea of sponsorship. And Bob's right, your going a long ways, probably can add an extra 1000 miles for indirect travel. At 40 miles a day, that is 100 days of travel, not including time off for rest and culture. Whew!!!

EDIT: I was just thinking, if you didn't use a motor how unpredictable your distance could be, would be very hard to plan your landings. I'm thinking now with your route, the non direct distance could be as much as 4500 to 5000 miles. No motor, I think your averages will go down on distance or you will be forced to rest longer after a big leg. So as much as 125 hard travel days?? That's over 4 months, plus another 4 months of rest in between. That would put you into the rainy season down south here, which is probably a good thing other than being aware of thunderstorm development by late afternoon.

_________________
Mark
Tandem Island- 2013
2 - Sports - 2014

Wow. Now THAT is an adventure. Good luck.

Thanks for everyone’s feedback. I do think the TI is close enough to what Dana and Ginger Lamb used. It is the same length, has a sail and the ability to paddle. Main differences being the TI is made of a more durable material and has outriggers for stability. I still am very hesitant to put a motor on the TI as that would definitely chance the similarities, although I will consider one for emergencies.

I am comfortable landing in fair sized swells having grown up kayaking a lot in Southern California, however I know the swell sizes down further are much larger and the landing spots not as nice. I will definitely have to practice landing with the TI.

I do plan on staying fairly close (within 1-2 miles of shore) most of the way except for crossing from Baja to mainland Mexico. I definitely will have to modify the TI a bit to make it ready for such a long trip. I plan on doing a lot of testing in the Columbia River Gorge and the Pacific NW, which has lots of wind and rocky landing areas that will be similar to the Central American coastline. The gorge regularly has 7-12 knot winds and often even 20+ knots.

Thank you fusioneng for that info on Transparent sea. I do have several different causes that I plan on documenting along the way from the rise in large “all inclusive” resorts destroying local places like Cabo Cortes to turtle nesting and the murder just a few years ago in Costa Rica of an environmentalist. I hope to find a few sponsors but I definitely want to try to limit them for my own sanity. I definitely do not plan on making money either. I do however want to make a short documentary out of the trip to share with people.

I am flying down to orange county in 2 weeks to continue research on the original trip. Of course I still have lots of time before I would leave (thinking November 2017) but am excited to start planning and training now!

_________________
Paddling from San Diego to Panama

http://www.paddletopanama.com
http://www.facebook.com/paddletopanama
http://www.twitter.com/paddletopanama
http://instagram.com/paddletopanama/