Tandem Islands in the Everglades Challenge

Chekika made us aware of the two TIs in the Everglades Challenge (in progress) this year. Here's some more info. Penguin Man and Ocean Diva are TI tandem entrants in the 300 mile Everglades challenge and "Pelican" is a TI solo entrant in the 1000 mile Ultimate (including a 40 mile portage), of which the Everglades Challenge is merely the first part. These Water Tribe events are always exciting -- anyone who manages to finish becomes a member of a very exclusive club; my hat's off to them!

Lots of boats have dropped out for various reasons but both TIs are still running strong. I just ran across a log entry in which both of these outstanding TI crews have distinguished themselves. It reads as follows:

SaltyFrog Monday, March 08, 2010, 2:59:00 PM
Category: General Comment Keyword:

A couple of incidents brought out the best of "Kindred Spirits."

Sir Percival and Blackwater Night's Wayfarer 16 sailboat capsized off shore near Venice the first day. Nick "Pelican" Hall came across them and loaded the two large fellows onto his Hobie Tandem Island and ferried them to the beach. In the process he damaged his boat and had to have parts delivered from Tampa. After repairing his boat on the beach, he resumed the race, arriving at Checkpoint 1 midday Sunday. Nick was concerned that the parts delivery would be a rule violation, never mind that he performed a difficult rescue at sea.

CaptJackOtter suffered a broken rudder on his high-tech trimaran and limped into Checkpoint 1. He examined the damaged rudder linkage and was just about to call it quits when Jim "PenguinMan" Czarnowski, the Hobie engineer piloting a Hobie Tandem Island with his wife Elena "OceanDiva," took a look. Jim secured some 1/4" aluminum stock and cut and drilled a replacement link, no simple job. He installed the link and got CaptJackOtter on his way.

These Hobie racers took time away from the event to assist others and showed selfless concern for their fellow racers.

Nice update, RoadRunner. I plan to post some pictures today.

I do need to comment about the comment praising the Hobie people. Pelican (Nick Hall) helped 2 people in a capsized boat, and they were able to continue the race. Jim Czarnowski (PenquinMan) is a delightful young man & his wife, Elena (OceanDiva) is charming. Jim skills repairing a WETA beach cat allowed it to continue the race. This comradeship and support, however, is typical of all WaterTribe EC participants.

Pelican, using an AI tandem is in the Ultimate Florida Challenge--a race circumnigating Florida. He was one of the last to leave the starting line, but is in the middle of the pack now--even after helping the capsized boat. He clearly has some skills for this type of adventure racing.

PenquinMan/OceanDiva have moved up towards the front of the pack--doing a great job.

Keith

_________________
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

Thanks for the posts guys. It's amazing to read about such unselfish good sportsmanship in what must surely be a very competitive event. Look forward to reading more and hearing the final results

_________________
Mickey
2016 AI Hibiscus
purchased NEW Nov 2021 - My 5th
Adventure Island Sailing since 2008

Thanks for all the updates. Enjoying reading/seeing the TI in action.

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

Pelican's rescue. Pelican actually made a video of his rescue. He picked up 2 people on his AI Tandem and ferried them to safety on shore.

Here is the video clip: http://www.watertribe.com/Events/ChallengeViewer.aspx Pick off Pelican’s video. This is definitely worth watching.

Keith

_________________
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

Can you believe that first guy he picks up? The guy was whipped and very lucky that Pelican was there. He was separated from the boat and really would have been in trouble. He looks extremely fatigued just laying face down on the TI. Wow!

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

Surfing down wind swells...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGFtaeILvk0&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

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

They definitely could use a sprayskirt!

Great boat (where's mine!, In white please.)

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

Great Video.

I can't believe they didn't bother to plug up the mirage drive hole with a cassette plug

Look at the water gushing it at Ocean Dive's feet at about 1:50 min mark.

They could gain more speed with the plug in.. yes?

Yes, they could use a plug--the plugs were on the beach in Ft Desoto. Maybe like when we did our Flamingo to Chokoloskee trip in Jan, they just did not bring the plugs. In our case we had 3 days straight of downwind sailing--I carry the plug now.

Also, in that video, note that OceanDiva is sitting as far back on the stern as possible to keep the boat from diving as they surf down the waves. It doesn't take much imagination to think how much the AI Single would submarine if it had a jib in those conditions.

Keith

_________________
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

Funny you should say that Keith. I was out with a friend demo-ing the AI the other day. He was driving and I was kneeling in the back giving guidance. Anyway, we ended up sailing home in a strong following wind, riding short-period wind waves without a sprayshield - ideal conditions for submarining. As it turned out, the boat functioned magnificently, riding the waves with the bow well raised. It was the best I have seen it perform in those conditions. So all it needs is 170 pounds of ballast in the back to solve the submarining issue .

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In really rough seas a plug is not always a good idea. There is an excellent possibility that the TI was heavily loaded with provisions, spare parts and other equipment. In that case, water may have been coming in the front cockpit faster than it could drain with a plug.

Good point, RR. Minutes before the race, Jim Czarnowski had the front hatch open and I was surprised how little was there. These WaterTribe people travel so far each day (40-100 miles), they are literally within a day or 2 of water and supplies all the time--they don't have to carry much water (we carry 7-8 gallons/each on some of our kayak and AI trips.) They can even grab a bite to eat at the 3 required checkpoints. Jim and Elena completed the 300 miles in 4.5 days--so, they were at a checkpoint every 1.5 days or so.

Keith

_________________
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

Just thought I'd add that there's been a bunch of new videos uploaded, some new from Pelican in this channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/WaterTribeAdventures

And also a bunch from Jim and Elena in theirs:
http://www.youtube.com/user/jimczarnowski

Most certainly, weight distribution plays a huge role, which is why we spent a fair bit of time experimenting with it during the Fraser Isl expedition a few of us embarked on last year. I've refined my load out a fair bit since, with more smaller dry bags to allow a high degree of flexibility in packing and weight distribution. I've also repositioned my rod holders from up front to behind for the same reason.

With expeditions in mind, it definitely pays to place the bulkier, yet relatively light items up front - self inflating matresses, sleeping bag, spare clothes, etc. Almost everything else goes into the centre hatch, in the stern hatch, or in a large waterproof back in the rear storage well. Works great.

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Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au