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Hammer's Tandem Island
http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=33422		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Hammer [ Mon Dec 13, 2010 6:38 am ]
Post subject:  Hammer's Tandem Island
The day has finally arrived. After waiting for about 5 weeks, my Tandem Island in Ivory Dune is here.

Being a 2011 model, the rudder stop-gap modification was already done by the Hobie factory. I also noticed the foam inserts within the hull as per what Matt Miller indicated is new to the 2011 (to meet new American standards etc).

Though I was slightly disappointed to find out, Hobie no longer supply dry bags as part of its standard kit with the TI. But my dealer was very helpful and provided me one free of charge (along with some Hobie Tie Down Straps).

I can't recommend my Hobie dealer highly enough. Their customer service is simply amazing. Even though they are further than another Hobie dealer from where I live, I don’t mind the longer drive as I know I’ll be looked after well.

One downer was the Yakima Showboat that was supposed to fit on my Thule roof rack was not in-stock in Australia. Apparently demand outstripped supply and stock won’t arrive until after Christmas.

So I improvised in the meantime and bough myself the Thule Waterslide. Not the best solution but will do until the Yakima Showboat arrives.

In addition, I also bought the Thule Quickdraw (Bow & Stern tie-downs). These work a treat. Makes securing the TI a synch.

Touch wood…to date I seem to be coping well on my own in taking up and down my TI from my 4WD (& on its storage rack in my garage), but it’s harder than I expected.

Here are some pics from the moment I pick it up to its first shakedown sail. But wouldn’t you believe it; Port Stephens had one of its calmest weekends it has had for a while. We were lucky to go as fast as 5 knots.

So a follow up shakedown sail will be had during the holidays over Christmas.

The day I picked my TI. The guys at the Hobie dealer where helping me tie it down
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Noticed that there was a bung missing from the rear. David @ the dealer tried numerous times to screw one on to no avail.
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This is the reason why the bung won’t fit.
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Hobie forgot to drill a hole for the drainage

TI all loaded and securely tied down
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Phew!!! It survived the 200+km drive from Sydney to Port Stephens. TI still securely tied down.
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Shakedown sail. My mate David at the front
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David being David. Kept reminding me that I should have installed the tramps that I bought with the TI.
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One of the many Coastal Patrol Rescue Vessels in the Port
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Another Coastal Patrol Rescue Vessels
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Break for Lunch @ Little Beach - The shop makes very good burgers and Fish & chips
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Let’s go surfing
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We want more wind
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MirageDrive in action
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The dreaded wash down after a sail
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I changed how I car topped it on the way back to Sydney. This time I placed the mast on top of the Kayak (instead of beside it). Leaving more room for the Amas and providing more support for the mast.
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My homemade storage set up at my garage
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I’m considering turning the kayak and storing it top side down. Your thoughts?
Author:  Gringo [ Mon Dec 13, 2010 7:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hammer's Tandem Island
Nice photos. We just had our first shakedown cruise on a new TI here this weekend, too!

did the rescue boat wake succeed in making you need a rescue boat?


And i am not going to take a sailor seriously in blue crocs...

(ha ha just joking. I have white, brown, and camo crocs, and black croc flip flops meself. We are full time tropical climate)
Author:  KayakingBob [ Mon Dec 13, 2010 10:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hammer's Tandem Island
Nice pic's! She's a beauty in white.
Author:  davew [ Mon Dec 13, 2010 3:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hammer's Tandem Island
Congradulations on you new TI, it looks great, like to catch up for a sail around Port Stephens soon. Happy sailing guys.
Author:  NOHUHU [ Mon Dec 13, 2010 3:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hammer's Tandem Island
Nice documentary. Nice boat!

For storage, I would attach a full plywood sheet, covered with a slick tarp on the racks you devised. Should make it very easy to slide the hull on and off, and eliminate any rafter dents you may get over time.

That way you'll never have to bother with flipping it over, and you can potentially drag it on and off the roof racks by yourself. If the car/storage rack line up well, then a simple pulley system could also help you with the dragging process.

One other thing. While the shiny new yak is strapped on the car, you will want to avoid having the hulls rub each other. This area will quickly scar. Using some yoga mat padding or foam kneepads between the hulls will keep them looking new.

Off to a great start. Love to see that big "new Hobie grin". :D
Author:  Hammer [ Mon Dec 13, 2010 11:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hammer's Tandem Island
Thanks guys.

Davew, IM me when you know you'll be in Port Stephens and I'll go out with you. There is also a local guy - Peter - who has a TI who'd join us.

NOHUHU, thanks for the tip. I might just do what you recommended. I'll try to avoid putting humps on my hull. Great tip in putting foam in between the hull and AMAS. I can see what you mean by rubbing.

Gringo, I'm guessing you too have an ear-to-ear Hobie grin? :lol: PS. Love your blog. Great pix.

Reconlon, I'm yet to fit the skirts I got off you last month. I hope to fit the bungees soon and the TI get fast enough for us to use them. :mrgreen:
Author:  dosjers [ Tue Dec 14, 2010 7:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hammer's Tandem Island
Hammer,

Here is a quote from Matt Miller:
mmiller wrote:
We recommend storing any hull upside down on its "rails".


If you store your hull like you have been on metal bars or right side up on a piece of plywood you could distort your hull. If you turn it up side down on the plywood the boat will rest on the AKA rails and should be OK.
Author:  NOHUHU [ Tue Dec 14, 2010 5:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hammer's Tandem Island
I was just thinking, covering the 4'x8' plywood sheet in outdoor carpet would be a better idea. Easy to slide on, durable and waterproof.

The cushioning would also be better for the hull. A closed cell foam mat, like a bedroll could be added underneath the carpeting, to eliminate any chance of deformities.

Your TI should have sweet dreams on her new bed.
Author:  Paul67 [ Tue Dec 14, 2010 7:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hammer's Tandem Island
Congradulations; The Dune does look good (mine still goes faster - red and all :lol: )

The dreaded storage issue again. You have a nice place to store you TI, I am sure you will work it out soon and have a great summer sailing. If the weather picks up. I think the drought is over :roll:
Author:  Slaughter [ Tue Dec 14, 2010 7:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hammer's Tandem Island
Well done Hammer ! That TI certainly looks the part. Welcome officially to the club.
I enjoyed seeing the photos. I hope to launch the AI from Salamander this Saturday so I'll look out for you at Little Beach Fish and Chip shop.
Author:  Hammer [ Mon Jan 03, 2011 6:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hammer's Tandem Island
Just back from a week and half away at Port Stephens.

Overall, I had a great several days sailing. Started slow with the first two days having very little wind, but by the third day, winds have picked up and provided perfect calm weather sailing (strong winds but smooth seas). Rougher seas and bigger swells tended to come by early afternoon which kept you pretty wet.

I'm very happy with my TI but had some issues with the akas.

The aka's on my TI tend to unclip on rougher seas. The first time it happened, I though it was me not paying attention to them clicking on properly when putting it together.

I was lucky that the first time it happened was under calmer weather and it was the up-wind aka that come-away (& drifted away). So I was able to furl the sail in and grab the aka and clip it back on.

The second time it happened it was under rougher seas, with sail only half-furl, but unluckily it was the down-wind aka that came away, which immediately capsized me. Some damage occured (photos to follow) - As a result cut my sailing time short. :(

But more importantly, I'm concerned that this will happen again. And happen while I'm further out offshore etc :?

Has anyone else experience this (TI aka's unclipping) while under sail?

In the meantime, here are some photos before the capsized that happed a few days later...

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Author:  Gringo [ Mon Jan 03, 2011 6:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hammer's Tandem Island
Nice photos. And yeah, I been grinning a lot, too. I have some mods to invent and install for the trailex trailer, but so far (knock on wood) the boat has been great. Was out in 20 kts. over the weekend. Whoowhee. The tramps scared me to death, though. Leeward one next to the buried ama digs into the water, while the windward one catches air underneath and the two of them work to roll the boat. It didn't take me long to figure out I needed to reef. But a shame the limiting factor was the tramps. I am thinking of making my own, using a net material with a much more open weave to let water and air through.

Sorry to hear about your aka unclipping issue. Do you mean where it attaches to the crossbars? Surely that must be something fairly simple to fix, like a button alignment issue? I had to use a big pair of chanel lock pliers to push the latches in to even remove mine. Seemed rock solid.

Was it the same aka connection that unclipped each time?

Can't wait to see those photos. and you KNOW Hobie will fix it.

Sydney, huh? I remember it well. Doyle's on the Beach. And Some pub/brewery that advertises itself as the oldest bar in Sydney, I don't remember the name. In the older part of town.
Author:  KayakingBob [ Mon Jan 03, 2011 8:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hammer's Tandem Island
Mine unclipped originally, so I added these leashes to stop it.
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Where's your Sprayskirt? That will hold the front aka from detaching. 8)

Since then, Hobie issued a couple of fixes (which should already be on your new TI). See: http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=25900&p=108108&hilit=http%3A%2F%2Fi196.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa65%2Fkayakingbob%2FP6043803.jpg#p108108 near the bottom of the page & page 2

and this: http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=28423&hilit=Aka+Locking
Author:  Hammer [ Mon Jan 03, 2011 5:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hammer's Tandem Island
Thanks Gringo. It sure is fun sailing the TI. Though @ the moment, I'm a bit wary until we sort out what's causing my akas unclipping.


Thanks for the pix Bob. I was about to start a separate post asking if anyone has made any mods regarding extra securement of the akas on the crossbars.

You're solution is simple and easy to put on and off, thus even if the aka's plastic locking mechanism fails (unclips), your cord system looks to at least keep the aka in the crossbar and not let it drift away from it like it did on me twice.

I'm assuming your cord system is working well for you?
Author:  KayakingBob [ Mon Jan 03, 2011 7:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hammer's Tandem Island
Yep, works great. I rarely take the aka off, but when I do, I just stretch the cord a little by pulling on it, and then unhook each side from the center eyelet post. The sprayskirt lines hold the front aka tight as well. If you read the posts, there is a part inside the aka xbar on each side, that can be cut or ground a little bit to fix the problem, as well as the replacement parts from Hobie. But, after experiencing the aka disconnects a couple of times myself, the leashes will be staying! :lol:
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