Anybody move from a keel sailboat to a Tandem Island?

Hello. New member here...

I a have developed an in interest TI lately and are considering selling my keel boat (1979 Ericson 27) as part of the process. I have been sailing on and off for the last 30 years on a variety of boats, starting with a pocket cruiser and finally winding up with the Ericson.

The Ericson is getting to the point it needs a little more maintenance than I have time for and I like that I could take the TI to more bodies of water than the lake I keep my Ericson on.

I was wondering if anybody else on the forum has stepped down from a larger boat to TI and what your experience and thoughts are.

I sail by myself frequently but my wife and 2 sons do come along at times although the boys are getting to the point its no longer to hang out with Dad... LOL

In the 10 years I have owned the Ericson, I have slept on it only once so I really do not have a need for a cruiser at this point in my life (maybe in retirement...). Wish I could do more but really only have time for day trips so I think the TI might be better fit for me for the time being... My wife and I had been looking at Mirage tandem kayak for the family but haven't done anything as of yet so this would kind of fall in along those lines as well.

Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated...

I know there are a few people on the boards that have either stepped down to a TI/AI or sail one on the side. From what I've read they appreciate the simplicity compared to a bigger boat. My suggestion would be to find your nearest dealer and schedule a test to see if it fits your needs sailing wise. It will definitely save you money with regards to maintenance, storage, etc.

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

SNAP! My last boat was a J24. I find that my 2012 TI gives my 96% of the fun with almost none of the hassle. Ironically, I have had more overnight trips with the TI!

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

Since we got our hobies, our catalina 34 basically (and embarrassingly) doesn't leave the slip unless I have guests to entertain or we are going for a rare multi day trip. I am keeping it for retirement, though

Haven't had a keel boat for a while but did have a laser and a hobie 16 recently. The TI is by far more enjoyable, less physical and despite the lack of sail trim controls still fun to sail and challenging to sail well. But you do need to try one to make sure it works for you. We rented one for an hour and half way thru I was convinced. Florida Bay Outfitters, in Key Largo is a great place to try one during the colder months and the town is not a bad place to hang out in for a few days either.

What you like may depend on your age somewhat (Im 60) but I would have a hard time choosing between the Hobie TI and the sailboat - so I have both. I mostly use the sailboat during the winter and I enjoy it for a day sail or multi day outings. We have dogs and the sailboat is better for camping with the dogs. During the summer, I mostly use the TI. The TI is just simply more fun to sail and you can do sort of a water bike ride or water hike with it which I just love to do. I take the TI out about half the time myself and half the time with my wife. We have never camped on it.

Since its the winter now and sailboat time for me, the picture below is from new years morning a few days ago. We spent new years eve in this cove watching movies (wife, myself plus two dogs). That is Lake Havasu Arizona you can see in that picture in the upper left side but we felt like we were a million miles from civilization. In about six weeks the sailboat will get mothballled and the TI will come out.

One thing about the TI vs. the sailboat. I use the TI mostly in Colorado where they have some pretty anal zebra mussel inspections and moving the boat between lakes is super easy. The TI is also very easy to setup and launch on the trailer - a huge amount easier than the sailboat. But.. I love them both..

Sold our Laser too. I love sailing the laser, but knew realistically that we would never chose it over the islands.

i have a catalina 22 as well as the ti. honestly, they are two different experiences. what makes the ti great (its simplicity) is (for me at least) also its downfall. i enjoy the science of sailing and trimming sails for peak efficiency. on the ti you have a sheet... thats it! that being said, the ease of setup and pure fun factor usually has me taking the ti out many many times more than the C22

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2015 Outback- dune with sail kit
2015 TI- dune- sold
2015 AI2- Hibiscus- should probably sell...
2018 AI2- Dune

I know this is blasphemous, but if I could I would step up to a Corsair Pulse 600. Looks like the setup is just about as quick and you can carry more crew. My family is starting to outgrow the TI. I guess I could add a second TI to the family fleet though.

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

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

We had a Merit 25 that we raced, but the kids are grown with families of their own, and my wife doesn't like heeling. We've got a large powerboat, but I missed the fun of sailing. The TI fills the bill, is loads of fun, and it's a LOT less hassle that the keelboat!

I moved from a Catalina Capri 22 because at my age 69 it much easier to sail and it is lots of fun did almost 8 knts yesterday. Also using it for racing with my yacht club. I wouldn't buy the spinnaker until Hobie is willing to solve the rear stay issue.

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I moved from a Catalina Capri 22. It is easier to sail at my age, 8kts yesterday. I also use it for racing at my yacht club. I wouldn't buy the spinnaker kit until Hobie is willing to fix the back stay issue

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GH22. $3 fixes the spin halyard issue. Zip tie a 3 ft piece od Shark tubing to the mast topper and run the line through it.

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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

I just run the line through 18" of lightweight plastic garden irrigation pipe hanging off the rear of the topper. Zero issues since I fitted this.

Of course, I look up when furling or unfurling, but that is simply prudence which applies to anything I do on board.

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

Here is my old J24

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