Sometimes your the Tortoise .. sometimes the Hare

weather was setting up for a late afternoon 15mph sustained so like a good boy, I got all my chores done and was hitched and ready to roll out the driveway by 3:30pm. By 4 I was unloaded, rigged, and ready to GO !!

Seems like I wasn't the only one watching the forecast because Sailboats popped up like dandelions in a fresh cut field. They were EVERYWHERE !!

.. So it wasn't long until some unofficial contests of speed took place. I was by far the smallest craft and it wasn't long until, despite my best efforts, it was quite obvious I was outclassed (in boat only ..) and that even with my supertuning skills, the old V1 AI was no competition for the big guys (who prolly pay twice the AI cost in docking fees per year) .. but I had fun, got many a wave and thumbs up .. and one gentleman in a 40+footer even said "Thats the COOLEST boat he'd ever seen". I asked if he wanted to trade .. for my tortoise

After playing around for a couple hours and looking at the sun reaching down to cover itself in a blanket of horizon .. I thought it best to head off on the 3 mile run back to my launch on a straight close reach point.

Winds were still up and steady and I was just all smiles knowing I'd make it back easily and with time to spare when I spot another "little guy" off to my left about 3/4 miles away ..moving at a really good clip on a direct intercept course ! As the distance closed to about 300' he changed course and assumed my tach dead ahead of me .. GAME ON !!

It took about two minutes for me to close the distance enough for me to read "Dumas" on his sail - about the same size as the AI or a bit bigger heeled over and trimmed nicely but he couldn't hold me off. He kept looking back, smiling and waiving ..

.. but Soon the Hare had caught him with my right Ama just inches off his rudder !! a quick flick of the controls and I slingshot out to his side and easily walked my way past him. We were both all smiles. He asked what I was sailing and I said, "Oh .. its just a kayak - but its a HOBIE Kayak !!" and just like that he'd had enough and tucked tail off on another point.

Returning to base camp, I realized it doesn't matter if your the Tortoise or the Hare as long as you're out on the water with a big smile

(unfortunately .. I didn't even think to take a picture of "The Hare" as I was pretty focused on gaining on my prey)

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Alan W.

Papaya AI2 to replace my well worn V1
TheTwins - His/Hers 2007 Papaya Hobie Adventure Island's (v1.00.01)
.. and a Hobie Outback SUV

Great story...

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2015 Tandem Island - Golden Papaya "HALIBOO"
(retired) Outback - Hibiscus Red

Awesome story.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

• Trampolines
• Hobie cover
• Davis Spar Fly
• Kayakbob's Sprayskirts
• Spine Board Hakas

Optimally sailed, the AI and TI will easily outpace most centerboard boats of any size, except for DDW. It's the dedicated performance multi-hulls where you get outrun, and often badly.

We'll have to get together some time so you can show me what I've been doing wrong all these years



Have you spent much time on any ? I ask because I've lusted after and hope to own a Corsair sometime in the near future and would appreciate your opinion

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Alan W.

Papaya AI2 to replace my well worn V1
TheTwins - His/Hers 2007 Papaya Hobie Adventure Island's (v1.00.01)
.. and a Hobie Outback SUV

Ha! I've been lusting over Corsairs too. If I had no budget constraints a Dragonfly would be really nice.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

_________________
2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

• Trampolines
• Hobie cover
• Davis Spar Fly
• Kayakbob's Sprayskirts
• Spine Board Hakas

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Cheers, Brian in South Australia
Tandem Island -

Yep. More room for the family too. Albeit definitely not as versatile or simple to set up as our AI/TI. For now I will enjoy my TI and keep dreaming

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

• Trampolines
• Hobie cover
• Davis Spar Fly
• Kayakbob's Sprayskirts
• Spine Board Hakas

YES.

Abso-FREAKIN-lutely !!

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Alan W.

Papaya AI2 to replace my well worn V1
TheTwins - His/Hers 2007 Papaya Hobie Adventure Island's (v1.00.01)
.. and a Hobie Outback SUV

In the Milang to Goolwa Freshwater Classic annual race we try and win on handicap in our division.
No not in the TI as it doesn't have a handicap.
This year there were 179 starters and it would be great to be first over the line in a Corsair.

I wonder if you guys would lend me an Americas Cup yacht for next year.
I think that would be the only craft with a greater buzz than the Corsair.
And who cares what your handicap is when you are first over the line, having a beer while the others slowly appear.

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Cheers, Brian in South Australia
Tandem Island -

Nice!

It looks like that on Muskegon Lake every time we go out. We try to stay out of the way of the big guys ... but that may change as we log a few more hours and and a lot more confidence!

The TI does turn heads. There are a number of Mirage drive kayaks in our area, but we're the first Island. From the response we're getting at the Muskegon Yacht Club, we will have some company, soon. Heck maybe we can start a club in the next year or two!

~cfw

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........~ media1der ~........
............. Chris .............
2013 Hobie Tandem Island
--- Muskegon Yacht Club ---

The buzz from racing is right up there!

I remember competing in an overnight race off Adelaide in my quarter tonner, and as we approached a turning mark early in the morning, a Sydney-Hobart 42 foot ocean racer was coming away from the same mark.

We waved, and to a man, the whole crew on the other yacht looked down at their watches, as it dawned on them that our little boat was ahead of them on measurement handicap!

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker