Design and Construction
The central hull is pure high-end Hobie, with a robust rotomolded polyethylene shell that encourages beaching and shrugs off the bumps of shallow-water exploring. The 130-pound fitted hull weight reflects the material's forgiving nature. Multiple Twist and Seal hatches and a large bow hatch for below-decks storage give a generous amount of stowage that makes it ideal for multi-day sailing adventures. The akas and amas fold alongside the hull for storage or trailering, and underside receptacles accept a set of wheels to create an instant dolly.
Rig and Propulsion
Stepping a carbon-fiber mast that is light enough for an adolescent to manage, the boat flies a 90-square-foot roller-reefing loose-footed mainsail supported by vertical battens and carrying a generous amount of sailcloth up high. The expansive, easily tended mainsail powers the boat across the water when the wind blows. When it softens, the crew simply starts pedaling, and locomotion resumes through dual MirageDrive 180s with Kick-Up Fins and ARC cranks that provide forward and reverse pedal power; the flippers lay flush against the hull under sail to minimize drag, and the patented fins automatically kick up on contact with an underwater obstacle and reset once clear. A stubby tiller alongside the aft cockpit and a second in the front cockpit give dual rudder control, with lever-operated deployment for both rudder and centerboard.
Handling and Performance
Test sailors found the windward float lifting almost immediately in puffs while the main hull stayed planted, and the boat never came close to capsizing even in the biggest gusts. Delivering 8–9 knots in 12–18 knots of wind, it tacked through roughly 100 degrees and responded beautifully in gybes when the helm first headed up to build apparent wind. In the biggest puffs weather helm was problematic sailing to windward, overcome by slightly luffing the sail; otherwise boathandling was straightforward. In flat, wind-sheltered water the crew had no trouble pedaling at 3–5 knots with amas deployed, and the builder cites capability at marlin-teasing trolling speeds under pedal power.
Accommodations and Layout
This is a boat for two, with a Vantage CT seat rated to 275 pounds and a total capacity of 600 pounds. The 10-foot beam with amas out and 4-foot beam folded in frames a cockpit with 16.75 inches from floor to aka bars, 15 inches to the bow, and 29.5 inches to the rudder. Generous stowage and the convertible nature make it an ideal boat for couples, families, or cruisers looking to ditch the beaten path, and the built-in transducer mount with through-hull cable plugs supports a fishing or navigation electronics fit.
Known Issues
The only documented handling caveat from period testing is the problematic weather helm in the biggest puffs to windward, manageable by easing the mainsail.
The Verdict
The Tandem Island is a genuinely dual-mode craft: a pedal kayak that becomes a beachable trimaran with a quick aka-and-ama fit, light enough for an adolescent to rig yet capable of 8–9 knots on the wind. Its rotomolded hull and kick-up fins invite careless launching, while the pedal backup removes the dead-calm frustration that sinks lesser small trimarans. The weather-helm caveat is minor and easily sailed around.
Pros
- Converts from pedal kayak to sail trimaran via akas and amas
- Robust rotomolded hull encourages beaching and tolerates bumps
- Dual MirageDrive 180s give forward/reverse pedal power when wind fails
- Kick-Up Fins auto-reset after striking underwater obstacles
- Carbon-fiber mast and sail manageable by an adolescent
- Generous stowage for multi-day camping adventures
Cons
- Weather helm can be problematic to windward in the biggest puffs
- Tacks through a wide ~100 degrees, not a tight-winded racer
