Hobie Tandem Offshore
Mr. Hobie, we need a new sailing kayak!
Hobie is renowned for their innovative engineering with water products. I remember when Hobart Hobie Alter introduced the original Hobie Cat 14 with asymmetrical twin hulls followed a few years later by the Hobie Cat 16. Hobie has introduced the groundbreaking surfboards, skateboards, remote controlled gliders, rotomolded polyethylene kayaks with mirage drives, sailing kayaks with mirage drives (TI/AI), electric propulsion (evolve motor) and Pedalboards (Eclipse).
Hobie continues to improve existing products by taking feedback from a very strong user community. Examples of incremental improvements include new rudder designs, Vantage CT seat, 180 Mirage drives, periodically refreshing hull shapes (example Hobie Adventure Island 2015) and spinnaker kit for Island series (AI, TI).
The culture of constant tinkering and experimenting by Hobie and their customers has created an innovative atmosphere for bringing fresh ideas to the market place. The tinkering spirit runs strong among the Hobie Island community. This post builds on many ideas sprinkled across the Hobie Island forum. Special mention to the ideas put forward by fusioneng and others on the forum.
So …. Where to start…..the reality….ideas for this post started a long time ago with the many post from the Island community on this forum…so…this is more a continuation of ideas…..
Purpose of this post / thread: Put forth ideas for a potential new Island series kayak – proposed name Hobie Tandem Offshore….. with a focus on a stronger Hobie Island specifically designed for coastal offshore sailing adventures.
Where are we now with the existing Hobie AI/TI? The current Hobie Island kayaks contain the EU CE certification for Class D boats that are built for protected or sheltered waters such as canals, rivers, small lakes and sustain a force 4 (Beaufort wind scale, 11-16 knots) and waves UP TO .3 meters (less that 1 ft).
Target for proposed Hobie Tandem Offshore: Propose the new stronger Island would be designed to meet the EU CE certification for Class C boats built to navigate inshore such as lakes, rivers, bays and close to the shore and can sustain UP TO force 6 (strong breeze 22-27 knots) and waves UP TO 3-4 meters (~9-12 feet). The wind speed is doable….the wave height …. Is a stretch….
Why not just tweak the existing TI for offshore duty? Many existing Island sailors (myself included) have made modifications and tweaks to push their boats close to the EU EC Class C environments. Examples of modifications added by sailors include safety lines, sails (jibs, genoas, spinnakers), navigation aids, outboard motor mounts, re-enforced hulls, navigation lights, radar reflectors, mast toppers, stays, booms, splash skirts, bow sprits, rudder control lines….just to name a few!
The premise (assumption) of this post is that a fresh design is needed to better position the proposed new Island Offshore closer to the EU CE certification for Class C boats. The existing Hobie Island kayaks have too many limitations and can only go so far based on current designs. Best to start with a solid strong design as the foundation vs. constant tweaking of a weaker design. Assumption – this is a new Island, new mold and hull, new hardware, …. You get the idea…. bit of a fresh start.
So…using our (Hobie and customers) collective imaginations …. What would a fresh redesigned Hobie Island Offshore look like. The following are a few ideas (many taken from prior posts on this forum with a few of my own ideas mixed in). Please add your own ideas to the mix.
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Hobie Tandem Offshore - Main Ideas by
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Construction material – suitable for marine saltwater environments
• Rotmolded polyethylene – tuff stuff – with proper thickness!
• Carbon Fiber – mast and maybe other components (Akas)
• Stainless steel
Hull Size – slightly larger than the current TI hull size to support increased capacity and sail plan
• Length: 18’ 6” – No change
• Height: ~1-2 inches taller ~18-19”
• Width: ~1 inch wider ~31”
• Redesign stern for planing speed (similar in shape to pro Angler?)
• Deck area in front of each seat should be redesigned to flatten the area similar to the Pro Angler design for easier movement on the Island.
Capacity – 100 lbs. larger than current TI – to support additional cargo storage for offshore sailing.
• Crew 1-3
• 700 lbs. capacity
Sail Plan – Larger! Goal – improve power in light wind, balance and pointing ability up wind.
• Larger main sail (roller reefing) – 100 square feet – larger clear window for visibility
• Larger mast (~19’)
• Integrated mast topper supporting jib halyard and stays.
• Jib / genoa head sail with roller reefing – large clear window for visibility
• Redesign support system to raise the rear main sheet block-bullet attachment point (head clearance for the sailor - main sheet)
• Possible collapsible bowsprit for head sail
• Main sheet – add additional harken cleat on gunnel just forward of back seat right pocket for easier access and control.
Mirage Drives – no changes
• ST Turbo Fin
• 180 drives
Mast with integrated Radar Reflector
• Carbon composite two-piece mast
• Slightly larger mast to support the larger sail area. Propose ~19’
• Integrated multi beam radar reflector fitted internal to the top half of the mast
• Mast receiver – strengthen significantly to support larger sail plan and higher EU CE Class C winds
• Added internal bracing to support fore and aft forces on the mast from the head sail.
Bow – Stronger – better lay out for head sail (jib) support – larger watertight hatch (see hatch section)
• Main hatch redesign – larger opening – water tight
• Strengthen to support forces induced from head sail, forestay, halyard.
• Two independent hand grips on bow pad eye
• Larger & stronger bow pad eye to support more attachment and support for roller reefing head sail.
Stern – stronger design (see motor mount below), possible new shape to support more of a planing hull.
• Larger squared off stern for planing
• Strengthen to support forces induced from head sail (possible rear stay)
• Two independent hand grips on stern pad eye
• Larger rectangular hatch in stern.
Boat Bottom – Added protection for beaching / grounding in unknow waters
• Add scuff guard to protect the bottom of the hull from rocks and sharp objects that could puncture or crack the polyethylene hull.
XBar – redesigned for strength and new attachment angle for Akas. Purpose – raise the Aka a few inches above current position to reduce catching waves while under sail.
• Propose to redesign the XBar to receive the Akas at an up angle (45 degrees)
• Add additional (4) harken cleats to both front and rear Xbars for additional line controls (head sail, roller reefing
Akas - Stronger, larger, new design for better wave clearance while under sail.
• Larger (1 foot longer) to support larger sail plan – giving the new Island a ~12 foot beam
• Stronger Akas – especially in the 90 degree bend area – Recommend thicker tube wall for strength or possibly move to carbon fiber for the Aka construction.
• Higher off the water to avoid catching waves and to raise the trampolines for better water clearance in waves.
• Attachment point to the XBar enters at angle (propose 45 degree) to raise Akas off the water
• Attachment point to the Alma is also raised. Goal is to raise the Akas off the water by 4-6 inches.
Aka Brace
• Stronger
• Collapsible break away with reset (think of a snow board or snow ski boot binding with click in)
Almas – Larger to support capacity
• 10% larger Almas to support larger sail plan and boat capacity
• Attachment points to Akas strengthened (update current bungie design)
Retractable dagger board
• Propose slightly larger dagger board to support larger sail plan, reduce lateral slip and improve pointing.
Rudder – Larger rudder for added control
• Propose 1/3 larger rudder – needed for higher wind conditions… the current TI needs a bigger rudder.
• Improved gudgeon design to add extra strength for the rudder attachment point.
Rudder Control / Tiller handle: Forces on the rudder, especially in higher wind speeds and sea conditions can be high. The existing dual rudder control for steering needs to be strengthened for easier hand steering forces with the proposed larger rudder.
• Add additional leverage in the steering system to lower forces on tiller (handle)
• Strengthen tiller handle attachment design to lower risks of failure.
Mounts for Outboards – Built in support for clip on clip off outboard motor mount and safety line. Auxiliary power is critical for offshore sailing. Design the hull to receive a small outboard (2-5 hp engine, or equivalent electric motor).
• Strengthen hull in stern to support outboard / electric engine forces
• Provide simple quick attachment that can support outboard / electric motor
Navigation Lights – Lights are needed for navigation after dark. I currently use battery operated red and green lights on the almas using Railblaza ports and a white light on the stern Railblaza camera mount. The lights come in handy after a long day of sailing and pulling into harbor at night.
• Design optional lighting system for navigation running lights with access controls from either seat
• Mast Head light (battery) with remote control integrated on mast topper.
Electrical – Hobie has done a good job overall with battery mounts, access ports for electrical lines. Need to add a bit more capacity. Off shore runs require battery support for 1-2 days for electrical equipment and navigation lights.
• Add support for larger capacity battery mounts (electrical propulsion, GPS, fish finder, cell phone)
• Access for electrical ports on both starboard and port sides
• Option for solar panels to recharge batteries while under sail.
Seats – Keep Vantage CT seats
Hatches – Larger with improved water tight seals
• Larger water tight front hatch – stiffer design
• Existing Twist and Seal 8” hatches are too small – propose to replace all with the larger Twists and Seal hatch similar in size to the rectangular hatches on the Pro Angler line of kayaks
Safety Lines – still needed – provide extra protection from Aka brace collapse while under sail.
• Propose adding connection points for safety lines and making them standard issue on the proposed Tandem Offshore kayak.
Capsize recovery Lines – righting a capsized TI or AI can be a challenge, especially after a full turtle (upside down). Add in real life offshore conditions – high wind, waves, current, hypothermia, solo sailing…. been there….and know help is needed. Propose to include standard safety lines that can be multi used for capsize recovery line and a human tether
• Propose adding standard safety tether that can be quickly attached to either Alma with hand holds to help right a capsized Tandem Offshore kayak.
Trampolines – no new ideas here other than as previously noted to raise the Akas a few inches for better wave clearance.
Beach Wheels / Dollies / Rollers – Beaching the Tandem Offshore kayak will be more difficult given anticipated increase in weight due to larger rigged kayak weight, outboard motor, extra gear for offshore sailing. Transportation at the waters edge becomes problematic. I am currently mounting a roller above one of the Almas to move off the water’s edge.
• Combination of wheels/dollies/rollers will continue to be needed. The increased weight may require larger wheels or other innovations.
• Could use a battery powered sand tug
Transducer well – need to be increased to support the larger transducers used on many GPS/fish finders today. I am current using a handmade internal mount for thru hull transducer. Working fine but would like to move this into an appropriately sized transducer well and free up internal space for storage.
• Increase transducer well - same as has been done on recent Pro Angler kayaks.
Mr. Hobie…. We need a new Tandem Offshore sailing kayak…..
Ideas / comments welcome from all.
Let the fun continue.
PS – Love my modified TI and hope to be offshore sailing in the Atlantic Ocean this week….
WW