How easy is mast raising/lowering...

How easy is mast raising and lowering on a TI while you’re actually on the water?

I’m considering buying a home on a canal in Cape Coral FL, behind one of the 8’ bridges. The plan would be to keep a TI at my backyard dock, and possibly on a daily basis take it out into open water past the bridge(s), and then raise the mast/sail while I’m on the water (and do the reverse coming home). Is this feasible?

Please let me know:
A) Sure, I do it all the time, it’s a piece of cake
B) It’s a little difficult but it can be reasonably accomplished
C) No, you absolutely really need to have the boat out of the water, or be out of the boat yourself

The TI looks like a fantastic fun boat. I’m really hoping my plan would be easy and enjoyable.

If raising and lowering the mast is more of a PITA while under way, then I might need to look for a property with direct sailboat access. That TI sure would be getting expensive then!

B) It’s a little difficult but it can be reasonably accomplished

_________________

Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

Let me know when you get to Cape Coral. I’m on a canal with no bridges, SE Cape Coral, direct (well 3 lefts) to Caloosahatchie. Almost ready to get Adventure Island. Been looking 3-5 months.
If you can, get place on either an intersection or end of canal, _much_ nicer views of the water, manatees, jumping fish, occasional alligators, etc.

I live in lake community in Naples Florida. Need to take mast down on my Adventure Island to go from lake to lake. I am 69 years old. I do not find it difficult at all. Tandem Islands mast is a little bigger and heavier but should not be a deal breaker. The tramps do make it easier but not necessary.

Thanks, Bob. Well I was hoping for A) but I suppose I can live with B). Does anybody do this on a regular basis? Or did you try and then find yourself using the boat less because of the hassle?

I've never lived near water or owned a boat before, and I want to do everything I can to maximize my regular enjoyment of it without becoming one of those cliche guys with his "best two days of his life." (Hence why I'm looking at the easy-to-get-going TI to begin with).

Winfield100, thanks for the tips. I'm guessing you live just off of SE26th Street? If/when we decide on a place, we can start a Cape Coral Islands club! I'm still in the "just getting started planning" phase; Cape Coral looks like a great place to live and play with a Hobie.

Probably you could do that on the water, but if there is anywhere you could pull ashore--it would only take about a minute on land. And much safer.

Thank you Invader69 and prunicki! Both of your replies have been very helpful.

Prunicki, when you say to pull over and put the mast up on shore (obviously best case scenario), might this also apply to pulling up to a dock and trying to put the mast up while standing/kneeling/sitting on the dock? Would this make it easier or maybe even harder?

When exiting the bridges in Cape Coral, there don't appear to be many places to beach, but there are a few public docks that could be pulled up to.

South end of Gregory canal, off the Moss canal, which is off the Meade, and Chantry canals.
There was a sailboat, 40+ footer, never moved for 14 years except it fell over when a hole ?rusted? through and then again when sold on our canal. Ya buy a boat, ya use it.
Back to regularly scheduled discussions and lurking silent mode.