I've come over from the Dark Side to see what the fuss is all about. My wife doesn't like to paddle, as she doesn't have the upper body strength I do and won't go out in a paddle kayak. A couple weeks back, we headed down to Sarasota where we bought a 2013 Hobie TI and ordered a 2015 TI. The 2013 is already sold to a guy that was a bit slow on the trigger. I must say, the TI is a blast to sail, although really wet. My wife and I went out in 25MPH conditions and, although we stayed reletively dry on the downwind trip, got soaked coming back. Now I understand the need for a drysuit when sailing TI's in colder weather. While I still love my QCC 700X and will still continue to train for the 2016 EC with it, having fun with the Hobie TI is fast becoming a favorite past time with my wife. We ordered her a complete set of NRS cold-weather sailing gear, which should be here next week. Who knows, in time my wife may even try the shorter version of the EC with me. Miracles do happen, sometimes...
New Boat
(15 posts) (9 voices)-
Wingkeel
MemberMy new 2015 hobie TI should be here by next Sunday! I'm pretty excited to see what she'll do and what I need to modify to make her faster and safer on heavy weather runs. Of course, my definition and your definition of heavy weather are different. My definition of the upper end between runnable and insane is about six-feet
Posted 7 years ago # -
Wingkeel
MemberI don't know why or how, other than guessing that Hobie is shipping to places that have warmer climates first. I live in Central Florida where even in mid-January, we have near 80-degree days now and again. Today is going to get to 77 and you can find my wife and I on some Run between the Dunedin Causeway and Clearwater, either inside or outside, depending on weather. We still need to be a bit careful because my wife's wet weather clothes hasn't arrived from NRS, yet. Last week, I beached with a Blue Smurf in the forward cockpit...LOL
Posted 7 years ago # -
Wingkeel
MemberHi PedalOn,
We're definitely close enough to tag up before the EC and have some fun in our new boats. I'm really excited to see how the new boat differs from the previous TI's. I'm presently using a 2013 TI, which is fun but has some issues I'd clear up before embarking on an real voyage. Once I see how the new boat behaves, I have some ideas for modifications that might make it even better. I found a great, flexible and almost bulletproof Kevlar/Spectra fabric, which might work well for the Tramps and Spash Guards. The fabric is not as flexible as the original material and will provide a drier ride while smoothing the way through whitecaps. I'm toying with the idea of having two tie-points on the extended Almas for double and single handing. Single-handing the 2013 makes the TI punch through 5' sea's instead of rising over them. With two people, it rises over, even though we get soaked in the process. I also want an easy way to get a GoPro halfway up the mast, facing to the rear so I can evaluate what's going on from above. If I can figure out how to network a Sony Cam, I will have an 18' elevate view of what's ahead, which might work out great when looking for a particular passage. I noticed, from my last video about ten' up the mast that the rear of the Hobie's hull causes a lot of disturbance. If I can extend the Hobie's hull by maybe a foot, I can create a layback that will null more than 90% of the disturbance allowing for greater control with a slight increase in speed. Now, where did I store my copy of the Boat Building and Design book; a book I used when modifying my Hunter-23 single-design for racing...Lord, how I love to tinker!
Pedal On, do you know what the best part of being part of the WaterTribe is? For the first time in my life, I'm part of a group that understands me and understands what drives me. I suspect I'm not the only one to join the WaterTribe and feel like we've finally come home...LOL.
I need to attend a doctoral symposium in Colorado from Tuesday through next Sunday but any time after that, maybe we could get together and play outside a bit. I think a run from Dunedin to Sarasota or Sarasota to Dunedin would be a great test-run, don't you? I'm sure Painindeass and a few others would be up for a bit of excitement as well. By the way, do you have crew for your new TI? At present, I withdrew from the mai-event and signed up for the shorter version in my QCC 700X but if I can get ahead of the curve on my Dissertation AND find the right crew, I might just reverse that decision, depending on how the new boat handles the deep and the steep.
Question to the TI'ers in the WaterTribe: Has anyone thought about using hydraulic foils to raise above the water on downwind runs? Speeds would increase substantially on anything upwind of a broad-reach and downwind runs would be very close to wind-speed if you could essentially cut a six-foot wave down to four feet by raising up two feet. I'm thinking a SS foil that literally lays against the underneath of the Alma's and main hull till it's hydraulically pushed to whatever depth it's designed for. It wouldn't take but a smaller 12V battery fed by a trickle-solar charger to power an efficient light-oil hydraulic pump. It may just be a pipe dream or it may be the start of something wild. If anyone can do it, the WaterTribe can! We have enough smarts and daring to do anything we put our minds to. I'd have to do some calculations but rough gestimate is somewhere around 30sqft total foil area traveling at ten-knots to exert 450-500 pounds of upward pressure. The gotcha, of course, is if you hit anything.....not a pretty picture....500-pounds of boat, almas and foils pitchpoling across the water. On second thought....maybe I better stick with the basic design and not mess with it too much...LOL
But what if....
Posted 7 years ago # -
BustedRudder
MemberI've watch moth class sailboat races on foils. Chief would have to weigh in on that as potentialy a new class, but An EC is the last place I would try to "fly" .
The thought of all that delicate expensive hardware slamming into something in the dark makes me cringe:)
Posted 7 years ago # -
JoeVanGeaux
MemberWingkeel, while I won't (and actually can't) weigh-in as to whether your flying hull idea is suited for anyhting like an EC until debugged and proven...however, being somewhat of a experimentalist by nature, I have had some of the same ideas for boats that you alluded to in your recent post.
Two questions:
Are you pursuing a flying hull mechanism for some new patentable design (for fun and profit) or just in it for the fun and the challenge of exploring a new design (you know, for the fun and the challenge of exploring a new design)?
What Boat Building and Design book are you referencing to? (I have a few already and am always looking out for another that has just the right balance of theory and application... but more real-world application.)
JoeVanGeaux
Posted 7 years ago # -
PedalOn
MemberWingkeel, that trip sounds great. I sold my 2013 to SeaDogRocket several months ago, he is sailing EC with his son and sure he would be in for small trip soon. I am doing the EC with my oldest daughter. This maybe last one for awhile with the kids. My middle daughter did EC last year and my youngest 14 did the Black Beard Challenge. So I maybe solo next year, my wife would not want to endure the Everglades with me, she has no idea what she is missing.
I am going to recreate dodger I had for the 2013, it makes a huge difference for the front man.
As far as hydrofoils I am hoping hobie comes out with a spinoff off the TI which will be somewhere in between. Would probably be sometime 2016. In the mean time I will be perfectly happy with the TI.
Our boats will probably be on same truck so we can start planning soon.
Don't get caught up to much on waiting to do the EC, there is plenty of help, our main goal should be to get as many TI to Key Largo as possible.Chief with the new Hobie Island Watertribe group, what are your thoughts on a few smaller events with virtual check points and closer destinations?
PedalOnPosted 7 years ago # -
Basically the two meetup groups I am running are intended for that sort of thing. We have the bootcamp on the 17th and the Hobie Island meetup on the 18th. I am working with MicroTom, KayakVagabond and SaltyFrog on another paddle stroke clinic in the fall.
I plan to have meetup regularly in those months that we do not have a challenge scheduled. Some of these will be informal challenges with virtual checkpoints, some will be instructional, and some will just be meeting for fun.
BTW, although the bootcamp on the 17th is aimed at newbies, all WaterTribers are welcome. Those with experience will be able to share their insight with the newbies.
Also, the Hobie Island meetup on the 18th at the same location is open to all WaterTribers. You don't have to have a Hobie AI or TI to attend.
Here is the link for the WaterTribe Bootcamp: http://www.meetup.com/WaterTribe-Adventures/
Here is the link for the Hobie Island Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/WaterTribe-Hobie-Island-Sailing
Please go to these links and RSVP if you plan to attend.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Moose
MemberI have been in the process of purchasing a (currently back ordered) new mirage drive for my TI. I noticed the unit they're selling now has blue triangles on the fins and a grey head. It supposedly operates with less friction and more power.
I would be very interested in hearing what you think of them, after you try the new boat.
(As usual, the alleged improvements come along with a 10% increase in price.)
Posted 7 years ago # -
PainenDias
BlockedHey Wingkeel, I would love to get together with you anytime just so long as I get to plant my butt in that lovely kayak of yours. It was a delight. Travel is somewhat curtailed just now as I am firming up my 2015 EC campaign and actually getting some use out of my tent during trips to Chokoloskee. I spent 9 days in two challenges and never touched my tent, or hammock. A yellow raincoat and a drysuit were the order of the day. You and the rest of the plastic bathtub gang seem to be having too much fun lately and I envy you. I have chosen my own particular brand of self-degradation but have not had much success in mastering those beastly G-Cats. I wonder if a Mirage Drive on the back end would be better. If the wind ain't wailing, then I ain't sailing! At 20 feet and 450 pounds empty weight I don't paddle it well.
Jealousy is so unbecoming, but when you guys wave to me as you pedal past while I sit aground in the mud I just can't help myself! Good luck to you all, and I will see you on the beach in something! Poor Chief! I just sent in my entry fee and he must be contemplating where my next crash landing will take me. I don't need an adventure, I need a babysitter!
Posted 7 years ago #
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