I posted this on the thread about the pros/cons of TI trampolines, but thought I'd start a new one:
This is my first summer with my TI on Lake Huron, near Lexington, Michigan. I absolutely love it. The tramps are a "must have" as they provide the swim platform for my little kids and all their cousins. Paddling out to the "deep water" is a big attraction for them as they swim around (with PFDs).
But - they do catch the wind. My TI got flipped yesterday in a nasty wind and broke my mast and a few other parts. Jay, from Backyard Boats, is tallying up the damages ($$), but I expect it to be ugly. I'm hoping (and a bit of praying) that my homeowner's insurance will help.
My lesson: Never leave the boat on the beach with the tramps unfurled. It only takes a few minutes to roll them up and stow them properly. I think I'll also be pulling the mast out more frequently as well.
Here are some photos of the expensive carnage:
View of the beach - take a look at my destroyed beach canopy!!
The RH aka/ama assembly broke clean off and was found 300 yards down the beach!!. I think we were hit by a tiny tornado, actually. The sirens were blaring at the time.
Broken mast!!!