Mark the Shark wrote:
Thanks for the input Grampa Spey, an Oasis is probably still in the picture and I would definitely use amas on it to sail. I saw a video of a guy out sailing without them and when he tried to turn he got dumped in the water. He then righted himself and got dumped again. Not fun in my book and I would think could get tiring. That is probably why I am leaning toward the TI as the amas seem to keep the kayak pretty stable and will accept the tramps.
My main attraction to the TI is using the tramps especially when the front seat starts getting swamped with water. I figure my wife could just slide over on one of the tramps and just enjoy the ride. Also using them when in a quiet cove to lay or stretch out on would be nice. Found out the lake demo TI does not have the tramps installed. Therefore, am second guessing not going out for the ocean demo in Dana Point. Also, based on all the fun she had yesterday on the river, my wife just advised today that all kayak options are now on the table including a trailer option as long as I was driving when towing. I think she is coming around to the many ways we would be able to enjoy a "versatile" kayak. She even suggested getting a Hobie Evolve Torqeedo Motor Kit for emergencies. Now just finding the right kayak for us!
The link below is an excellent link for the TI's and what you can tote on the tramps, including surf boards or SUP boards.
http://surf.transworld.net/1000129687/f ... ing-kayak/Two quick not so good eye witness accounts of TI's trying to be launched in somewhat heavy surf and winds quartering the beach launch areas:
1. At Avila Beach by the hotels and park. A family tried twice to launch their TI's and got broached and capsized. By the end of their second unplanned trip, they were cold, wet, miserable and gave up.
2. The next day a couple of miles up the shoreline. A guy by himself tried to launch his TI in the surf. The TI got turned over and broke off an AMA. He was lucky as he got flipped and hit on his head by the breached TI. He got a bad cut over his eyes and forehead. My wife and I pulled him out the water and she did some beach first aid. I went back out to help retrieve his TI with a couple of other guys and brought it in after we got some lines on it and could pull it in. One good swimmer retrieved his broke off AMA.
The good launch/TI trip. A couple weeks ago we were at Bodega Bay, Doran Beach Park, on the protected south side beach. There were several yaks on the beach. They had been wheeled their yaks to the beach over 100 yards of sand. These yakkers were joined by a TI. That couple had launched their TI off the ramp on the Coast Guard side, sailed out the cove and set out crab traps that were on the tramps. Then, they sailed paddled over to the beach to join their friends on the leeward shore.
My wife talked to them, and was told that they only launch from a launch site. They will come to shore to join other yakkers for some fun and time on the beach. Then. their friends can help them launch to return if there are waves and wind. Their friends helped them.
We watched them launch, go out and retrieve their crab traps, and then put up their sail to sail back into the harbor and their launch site.
My wife on her return said the TI seemed very nice, but we were too old to have one.