Hobie Tandem Island Beach Launch with Outboard

Hobie Tandem Island - Beach Lauch into the Atlantic Ocean off Avalon NJ with the aid of an Outboard Motor (2.5 HP Suzuki).

[@Hindukushsailing]

Keep hitting it always a good video.

[@BrooklynAvenue]

Thanks for showing a beach launch!

[@nickwilley3720]

Thanks for the vid Jim, You have bigger stones than me Launching the TI in that surf! I'm going to add the Suzuki to my TI, more for safety sake. I added a Hobie H-Rail to the stern and attached the main sheet to it, made a super improvement by keeping the main sheet up and out of the way, you may want to think about it as I noticed you had some trouble with main sheet fouling around the motor and mount. It also improves sail shape on a Broad Reach or Running. Cheers.

[@seewind]

Been thinking of changing up the main sheet attachment point in the stern to lessen interaction with the outboard and mount. Please send a picture of where you attached the H-Rail on the stern. Thanks.

[@Joshua-dw8wu]

Is your outboard engine mount self made from aluminum square stock and bolted to the hull?

[@dariomendez4755]

Love your videos hopefully you could make more in open water

[@seewind]

I have a queue of over 50 sail video waiting for time to publish.

[@brucebeechey6397]

nice ride, well done, sometimes when where riding the waves in, I pull my paddle out to steer when the waves lift my rudder out of the water. I like the telemetry on your vid, Sitting low on the water feels like your flying ( 5 mph ). Love our Hobie Cat

[@seewind]

Thanks for the reply. Agree, having a paddle nearby can help. During beach launches through ocean breakers I have had the TI pushed backwards in the shallows breaking the rudder pin... not the best feeling being suddenly with out any steering in the middle of the breakers! See prior beach launch videos to see this first hand... Love the hobie cats... especially the hobie 16...I am thinking of fitting a hobie 16 jib to my TI...

[@stereolababy]

better to push it than pull

[@hakan7346]

Those arms holding the side kayaks seem so fragile. Have you had any problems with them? how much punishment can they take before the pins break?

[@mathewdavis-adventuresandd6643]

I use my sail to punch through the surf, but the surf I punch through isn't as big as what you were fighting. I was surprised at how well the motor stayed high and dry in that surf and it did a good job pushing you through that mess.

[@seewind]

Yes, I have been surprised at how well the motor has held up. Even survived a capsize (see other videos).

[@dammitau]

Wow Jim, impressive as always. Although looked like you nearly ran over your helper at the start 😂

[@seewind]

Yes, close going out, He lost his sunglasses!

[@dariomendez4755]

Thinking of getting this boat. From your experience can a 3 or 4 people be on this boat in the ocean? I ve rented it for bay use and it was fine little worried about rough waters Any comments Thank you

[@seewind]

Best with 2 people in ocean, due to waves and current. 3 to 4 ok in waves less than 2 feet. Max load of 600 lbs.

[@andys4971]

You’re going to lose a lot of speed with 3-4 people on this thing, I would suggest getting the spinnaker kit too

[@dariomendez4755]

Thank you

[@GarbageBarge]

The outboard makes all the difference in the world when launching from the beach.

[@seewind]

Agree - a big help, especially if facing larger waves and a head wind (where the sail is of less help). Can be tricky getting the motor started single handed and keeping the TI facing the waves. Best if you can get someone to hold the bow out. Atlantic Ocean waves can have very short periods (4-5 seconds apart) on the US East Coast which adds a bit of excitement!

[@GarbageBarge]

I’m going to add an outboard to my TI and I was wondering what you think of the Torqeeto Travel 1003 cs as an option. The price is more then double but the performance, run time and convenience seem to be good.

[@seewind]

Depends on the waters you sail in. The Torqeeto Travel 1003 + a spare battery should work fine in most conditions. Recommend reviewing this Hobie Island thread on this subject, especially the recently posted table by pro10is near the current posts. The Torqeeto 400 series in in the table. The 1003 CS puts out double the 403. www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=58926&start=195 The waters that I sail in (offshore, harbor tidal and river currents, surf launches into ocean waves) requires a bit more torque. I also make day long runs 50-60+ miles which require a bit more reach. I did consider the Torqeeto's but the Suzuki 2.5 outboard was a better overall fit for my needs. The 1003 CS does look like a nice unit if you can afford the spare battery. Either way the motor option will give you a better safety margin.

[@GarbageBarge]

Thanks for the input - I was trying to stay away from the gas refueling but once you throw the extra battery in at $1,000.00 and the outboard at $2,400.00 and the possibility of not having sufficient torque to run in the Lewes/Rehoboth canal (very fast currents) I think I will also go with the Suzuki.

[@seewind]

I occasionally sail out of Lewes DE also and agree the currents can run high. I sailed out of Lewes public boat ramp into Delaware Bay about 4 weeks ago and ran out into the Atlantic Ocean past Cape Henlopen. The currents were running strong. I estimate 4+ knots....the wind eased and I had trouble returning from the Atlantic back into Delaware Bay. I had to fire up the Suzuki to get past the strongest currents. Two weeks ago I sailed out of Augustine Beach, DE boat ramp. Currents were not as strong on this day - fun sail. Hope to post videos of both these winter frostbite sails in the coming weeks. Let me know if you wish to meet up for a sail....currently targeting 2nd week of March for next sail (the actual date is dictated by the wind and air temp).

[@AKAOmnivore]

Those look like some fairly large breakers you are going through (4ft?). How large have you gone through?

[@seewind]

6 foot is max ..... larger waves are problems!

[@AKAOmnivore]

@@seewind Personally I wouldnt consider going out through a 6 ft wave, I have no desire to break myself or mast :-) (coming back even worse)

[@basilliman]

How do you get the dashboard information on the bottom of the screen? Great feature seeing distance, MPH, etc...

[@seewind]

I use both Garmin and Go Pro action cameras. Post video processing pulls the gps data from the files and overlays the video with instrument data.

[@brettharman8921]

a shame, helper lost his sun glasses, is this off of stone harbor nj beach? thanks for vid,

[@seewind]

Yes - lost sunglasses - but good memories. Launch is off 21st street in Avalon, NJ

[@noelpeters1331]

Great videos James. I am just about to buy a Suzuki 2.5 for my TI. Can you advise - do you trail the TI with the outboard attached or do you remove the outboard from the TI when transporting it?

[@seewind]

Noel, I typically transport the TI via my trailer for 1-3 hours and some times 1-2 days (Florida). I remove the Suzuki outboard for these transports. I have left the outboard on the mount when transporting less than 15-20 miles with no issues. For the longer runs I take the outboard off the mount and either place it on the trailer or in the back of my car. The outboard is relatively light but I do not wish to put extra stresses on the TI for the longer transports. you will love the Suzuki - game changer for the TI. Big boost in safety and range.

[@noelpeters1331]

@@seewind Yes looking forward to extending my range without the fear of being stranded in light winds. Do you think it would be an idea to transport by lying the outboard in the front passenger section of the TI and strapping it down?

[@SleepyBoBos]

How many volunteers do you go through each year, on average?

[@seewind]

Not enough ! ;-)

[@baot.5770]

Great video! How far from the shore do you typically sail?

[@seewind]

Not far - most of the time it is less than 3 miles.

[@futurelegance196]

Should somehow close the gap of the absent pedalsystem....draws a lot of water....

[@seewind]

This is a minor concern....water drains out fast.

[@dammitau]

Great vid, lots of fun. 21:45 did you nearly flip it?!

[@seewind]

Almost. Shooting the ocean surf is always tricky. See other surf launch videos where I did flip the TI after the alma separated and rudder pin broke. Ended up safe but with broken akas...

[@dammitau]

Wow. Close one !

[@andys4971]

How do you deploy your daggerboard/keel when you are riding in the rear seat?

[@seewind]

Simply move forward and adjust the dagger board as needed. Does require to get up out of rear seat and move forward of the mirage drive. No big issue. You will see me do this on several of the videos posted.

[@Mikinct]

I’m new to sailing, nobody afraid of sharks. I’ve heard of sharks attacking kayakers. Just curious

[@seewind]

Never had shark attack. Lots of fun with dolphins.

[@rschreck876]

Why have the outboard when you can sail a TI faster than your were going with the outboard? 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@AKAOmnivore]

The wind is not always there, or may not be in the correct direction and when coming and going through the breakers. If you dont have good forward thrust, it can literally go sideways real fast. Breaking your mast, rudders, outriggers, seats and you. I wont launch off an PNW ocean beach without one, not saying I'll use it. As I said it might be flat going out, but it might not be coming back and these dont go that great into a strong headwind.

[@seewind]

I generally try to have two different modes of thrust when pushing out through the surf. Some days you just get a head wind and you need to peddle or motor out. The breaking waves generate rip currents that can drive you sideways or even backwards. I big foaming white water the rudder force is reduced further complicating surf and shoal passages.

[@OPTICCardosopticCLR]

Please, can you explain how the engine support built? Tanks

[@seewind]

See this thread on the Hobie Island forum for many examples and tips on adapting outboards (gas and electric) to the Hobie Islands. www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=61256&sid=46d4545cbbf8e64b71d5d81f9c299a45&start=90

[@josemariafn]

Nice video. How do you do to measure speed, distance, etc?

[@seewind]

GPS data off the Garmin Virb XE and go pro action camps, add gauges in post video processing.

[@josemariafn]

@@seewind Thank you, friend.

[@darrenjones3681]

Your accident waiting to happen standing in the water starting an outboard ver Y bad idea, short shaft would have worked as well, why can’t you start it aboard

[@seewind]

Agree, could have started it after boarding. Bit of a rip current making it hard to keep the TI facing the waves....needed to be in the water to guide the boat. Helper was uncertain of his ability to keep the bow out. Engine was cold - took a few pulls to get it started. Always tricky during surf launches!l

[@mijitorawr9005]

How did you install the bracket to Tandem and outboard motor?

[@BrooklynAvenue]

4:43

[@nickpringuer9029]

helper lost his sunglasses

[@seewind]

Yes - sunglasses were toast!