We sail a lot and have exceeded our comfort level too many times. The TI is an incredible design, and with a few simple safety mods, (all of us know all about them), the boats can handle quite a bit, (much harsher than I would ever have dreamed of trying to sail my old sunfish in, lol with the sunfish in high winds and rough water, we would capsize 5-6 times in those conditions, fine when your young and fit, not so fun when old and fat, (lol)). Most boats have a sweet spot, where sailing is the most fun, but still not to dangerous. It also makes a big difference if your in protected waters, (ie... lakes, rivers, bays, close to shore and safety), vs offshore, ( or giant bodies of water like Tampa and Sarasota bays, which are actually way more dangerous than offshore). There is also quite a difference between stock TI’s and those that are a little souped up, (real vs imagined capabilities, you need to be very careful here). My opinion a stock TI is a little boring in 3-7mph winds, typical sailing speeds are 2-4mph, which usually involves much pedaling, and you simply can’t go very far, (most stay within a mile or two of launch). These are the conditions we are normally out in, (mostly because I’m handycapped). Darn few Sailboats, and TI’s even bother going out on those days. However these are the most ideal conditions for snorkeling and diving, (great underwater visability, in the keys we can easily see 30 ft), which is our favorite pastime. Our boats were specifically designed to exploit these conditions to the greateet effect.
My opinion is the sweet spot for sailing these boats, (when stock) is around 8-12 mph winds, ( about the same sweet spot as most lasers, sunfish, and most dingies btw). Mostly because the boat sits so low to the water, sailing at the upper end in 1.5-2ft chop becomes quite uncomfortable for us, (we get drenched), just not fun for us, (thats a personal opinion obviously). To most this is where the fun begins. You can count on the boat performance to be around .6 to .8 of windspeed on most points of sail, (which is not too bad at all), of course a little better downwind with the optional spinnaker kit.
Next up is around 13-18 mph winds, most begin to furl their main in near the upper end here, and the boat goes like crazy, ( highest fun factor, for the younger croud, but a ltlle much for us). However the stock boats upwind capabilities in these conditions, ( especially offshore with offshore winds and against current) can become quite dangerous, ( we have been blown out to sea and couldn’t get back too many times). The upwind pointing ability (around 50 deg off the wind) typically ends up with a negative VMG for us. Basically we are sailing like crazy, but the VMG ends up zero or negative. We have many times spent hrs sailing and pedaling our hearts out 1/4 to 1/2 mile from shore zig zagging back and forth sailing like crazy unable to get to shore. ( my biggest pet pieve with these boats when stock).
I consider 20-25 mph wind to be the upper safe limits of these boats, and only highly experienced sails only, and only in protected water. Small craft advisories are there for good reason, ( you are putting the rescuers in personal danger). A couple yrs ago the everglades challenge went thru here during a small craft advisory, all the local lifeguards and safety people had to go out and rescue a whole bunch on their jets ski’s and such, boy were they all really pissed off, ( putting themselves in danger), they are still mad about that and still talk about it, ( lol, it’s best not to bring up the subject around here, just sayin), really spoiled it for the rest of us. Now if I’m out is small craft advisory ( which my boat is equipped to handle), if I’m spotted out on the water, they now come and get me, and order me off the water, ( yep they are still really mad it seems).
25 plus to 35 mph winds , around here we are talking 4-6 ft vertical washing machine chop, the boat is not designed for this and will break up and flounder, your life is in grave danger. Anything over 35 mph and the boat breaks up, ( even if massively hardened). If looking at weather advisory, pay attention to wave/sea info also, it’s usually pretty accurate.
Just my 2 cents. FE
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