Hobie Cat Forums

I recently purchased a TI and have taken it out twice now. I have a lot of kayaking experience and have a Mirage Outback in addition to the TI, but not much sailing experience. Is there an optimum sequence for the things one has to do to successfully launch from a trailer when one has trampolines and spray skirts. What should be done prior to putting it in the water, etc. I have cut my prep time in half from the first to the second outting, but wondered what the recommendations of seasoned pros might be to when the best time is to do what. Suggestions anyone?
Thanks,
HobieBuddy

Hi HobieBuddy. Welcome to the forum.

Here's a personal opinion - it depends on your launching site.

My best site in South Australia is Garden Island - concrete ramp, floating pontoons, sheltered water, not over crowded. At this place, I have my TI fully rigged with mirage drives ready to deploy. Certainly setting up everything in the hull before the amas and trampolines, for convenient reaching. Otherwise I think the order you find easiest is the best.
At my less favourite sites for launching, I may have to cross soft sand. Here I carry the sail and sometimes the amas separately to the waters edge. This is only to cut down the weight to make it easier to drag through the sand.
I also have a list of what to take which I have built up over time from forgetting things. I'm sure you will continue to cut down the time over the next few outings.

Hope this helps.
Cheers from Down Under.

I'll have a go. I have only been out about 10 times since I got it five weeks ago, so I am still evolving the process, but here goes. (You maybe can insert the trampoline step as below, but I don't use 'em
At home.
*do up drain plugs
*Hook up bungees to link amas to akas
*Tighten securing straps
*Put on waders[/list]

At the ramp
*Remove tie downs
*Remove rudder strap
*Erect mast
*Hook up mainsheet & furling line
* Launch kayak

At the beach next to the ramp after parking car
Wade in and,
*Bury car keys & phone safely in waterproof box
*open out starboard ama
*hook up stbd spray skirt
* tramp
*Open out port ama
*Insert paddle in bracket
*hook up port spray skirt
*tramp
*Hop in
*push back using paddle
*lower rudder & lock down
*Stow paddle
*Insert Miragedrive
*Turn on fishfinder
*Unfurl sail
*Have a nice day!

Rather than give you bullet points, which vary from boat to boat, I can offer some general advice.

If you find yourselves in a surf zone or crowded shoreline, it's best to fully assemble before launching. Generally, I find it much easier to rig the boat this way and get all the details right. Even prepping the fishing poles and tackle. There are SO many details, when you plan to fish, sail and explore for a full day.

Getting on the water and discovering you threaded a line wrong or forgot to lash something down, or take the wheels off , or need something in the hull, etc results in a temporary loss of control on the water, usually near shore, where you can become a hazard to others...

If a trailer is involved at a busy ramp, the same rules apply, so we fully assemble and stow all the gear while on the trailer. One person floats it in the water, inserts the drive and pedals out of the way while the other stashes the trailer.

After you check the rudder and rigging, you can come back around the pier or landing to pick them up. You may even want 2 radios in some situations, but that's rare.

With a little practice together, 2 people will soon learn to perform all the "details" from memory, without even talking about it. Then it all goes quickly.

The only other thing worth mentioning is that you'll have an easier time loading and rigging the boat if you leave the Amas in and the tramps off till the very last stage. It becomes quite difficult to reach things in the boat once the tramps are set.

OH - Look out for trees and powerlines! Duh!

Cheers!

I should have added that my order list is for a one-person operation, and with two people a whole bunch of things can be done in parallel (plus I ignored fishing prep, sorry 'bout that)