Been sailing every day for the last three weeks off-the-beach in Destin, Fl. Only time I've used the pedals is to sail closer upwind when close to breaking surf......the pedals keep from tacking over and over to maintain your basic heading. Regarding tacking - even in 10+ knot winds the TI will jibe very smoothly (and quicker) than tacking into the wind. In either case, pedals were seldom necessary and I'm sailing in Gulf swells.
I've owned Hobie 14, 16, Wave, Playcat, etc. and they're all faster than the TI, but I've also been becalmed off shore and spent extra hours getting back to the beach. Not so, with the TI. You cannot compare a traditional beach cat to the TI, they're cousins, but nothing more. Ease of stepping the mast vs. a 26-28ft cat mast is a breeze......singlehanded.
Pedals are big plus when you're launching from a protected cove (on a lake) and you able to avoid tack after tack after tack to get to open water.
Don't mess with changing rudder steering lines.....the transition takes about ten minutes to learn.......not rocket science. While I don't use the tramps, my grandkids love them.
Furling the sail allows you sail (in control) in winds that would easily overpower single handed cats. I've been forced ashore in a Hobie 16 single handed in high winds and swells because tacking is too slow and jibing was lightening fast.
I prefer the pre-'15 seats, being easier to get on board in rolling waist deep surf. As for sailing downwind, cats have the advantage, but if you understand that - you can cope. By the way I'm 76.
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