Hobie Tandem Island - any alternatives?

[Blackpuddin]

Wondering about liberating some cash on the purchase of a sailing kayak but am a bit daunted by how much cash I'd be liberating for the one that's caught my eye, the £6k Hobie Tandem Island. http://www.kayaksandpaddles.co.uk/canoe/kayak/uk/s...
Does any salty PHer know of anything similar for a bit less money?

[mcdjl]

Thats a complete boat and much more akin to a sail boat than a kayak!
I'd imagine these would be about half to 2/3s that (and I'd prefer it): http://www.phseakayaks.com/sail.php,
or fit any one of these to most sit on tops for about 1/10 the cost https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=kayak+sail&o...
or https://kayaksailor.com/ one of these if you feel flusher or one of these if not: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/kayak-sail-id_8321361....

[Blackpuddin]

Thanks for the links, interesting, the PH sea kayaks won't work though as we need a tandem.

[mcdjl]

Blackpuddin said:

Thanks for the links, interesting, the PH sea kayaks won't work though as we need a tandem.

Have a look at 'canadian' type open boats, or sit on tops, both of which you should be able to fit sails to. If you've a local canoe/kayak shop nearby they might help, or decathlon/go outdoors.

[Blackpuddin]

I've got an aversion to Canadians, I can't swim you see and have got it into my head that they're too unstable (this canoe thing is for Mrs Blackpuddin really!). Deffo going to be some sort of sit on top. And a tandem. Seems to be a pretty limited choice of new boats fitting that description. What look like different online canoe shops turn out to be local outlets of the same chain. We're pretty much down to a Feelfree Gemini Sport at the moment. http://www.kayaksandpaddles.co.uk/canoe/kayak/uk/s...
Thanks for your input, btw, I appreciate it.

Edited by Blackpuddin on Tuesday 23 February 19:25

[mcdjl]

I don't know where you are, but there are plenty too look at: robin hood watersports in the north, desperate measures in the midlands, bournemouth canoes (in poole) spring to mind. They're just ones I've visited so plenty of others exist!
Oh and Canadians are actually massively stable...just get a big open one rather than one where you have to kneel down. This type of thing: http://www.desperate-measures.co.uk/canoes-online/... (currently going 'how much!?!')

[AnotherClarkey]

I don't think you will easily find a rival for the tandem island, it is a seriously capable boat and any kind of canadian or regular sit-on-top with a cobbled together rig will not even get close. Have a look at how Roger Mann did in the race to Alaska last year (R2AK) in an essentially out-of-the-box one.

[Blackpuddin]

Yep from what I can see the Tandem Island looks to be brilliantly designed and excellent quality. I'm in the south-west so Bournemouth or Poole are both good for me.

[IforB]

Blackpuddin said:

I've got an aversion to Canadians, I can't swim you see and have got it into my head that they're too unstable (this canoe thing is for Mrs Blackpuddin really!). Deffo going to be some sort of sit on top. And a tandem. Seems to be a pretty limited choice of new boats fitting that description. What look like different online canoe shops turn out to be local outlets of the same chain. We're pretty much down to a Feelfree Gemini Sport at the moment. http://www.kayaksandpaddles.co.uk/canoe/kayak/uk/s...
Thanks for your input, btw, I appreciate it.

Edited by Blackpuddin on Tuesday 23 February 19:25

Sorry to sound like a bit of a twonk, but why are you even thinking about getting out on the water on something smaller than the QE2 without being able to swim? Spend a bit of time learning how to at least float and move around in the water before going out there in anything.

[mcdjl]

IforB said:

Sorry to sound like a bit of a twonk, but why are you even thinking about getting out on the water on something smaller than the QE2 without being able to swim? Spend a bit of time learning how to at least float and move around in the water before going out there in anything.

God point....where are you planning on going? If you'er looking at big things like the Hobie, I assume you want to go on open water. If so learn to swim and at the very least wear buoyancy aids. If on canals, do that anyway.
While the Hobie is very nice, its (IMO) likely to be big and a pain to move around rig up with the two outriggers. A 'normal' kayak with a sail, while definitely less well rigged will (probably) be easier to shift/store etc.

[Blackpuddin]

Thanks guys. The swimming thing is not going to happen for me I'm afraid for a variety of reasons but of course I'll be taking all the precautions you both mention. The thing about the Hobie is that you can break it down and use it as a kayak or a trimaran, so we could use it on local canals as well as in more open water eg Christchurch, Muddeford etc. Judging by the videos I've seen the breakdown and assembly time is well under 15 minutes which I'd be happy to put up with. I just see it as a very versatile craft that gives us the simple kayak option as well as an intro to 'real' sailing.

[mcdjl]

Blackpuddin said:

Thanks guys. The swimming thing is not going to happen for me I'm afraid for a variety of reasons but of course I'll be taking all the precautions you both mention.

I hate to say it, but I'd bet it will.

[Blackpuddin]

mcdjl said:

Blackpuddin said:

Thanks guys. The swimming thing is not going to happen for me I'm afraid for a variety of reasons but of course I'll be taking all the precautions you both mention.

I hate to say it, but I'd bet it will.

Ha well you are probably right but it will keep me off the streets!

[IforB]

Blackpuddin said:

Thanks guys. The swimming thing is not going to happen for me I'm afraid for a variety of reasons but of course I'll be taking all the precautions you both mention. The thing about the Hobie is that you can break it down and use it as a kayak or a trimaran, so we could use it on local canals as well as in more open water eg Christchurch, Muddeford etc. Judging by the videos I've seen the breakdown and assembly time is well under 15 minutes which I'd be happy to put up with. I just see it as a very versatile craft that gives us the simple kayak option as well as an intro to 'real' sailing.

It's your life of course, but just learning to float and not panic when you inevitably end up in the water may well save your life.

If you want an intro to sailing, then get down to your local sailing club and get lessons and use their boats to get a taster. You can pay for years of club membership and the beer you'll inevitably drink with the money you'll spend on the hobie!