Hobie Mirage Tandem Island User manual

Tandem
Hobie
Mirage
Island
Owners Manual
®

1
WELCOME TO THE
HOBIE WAY OF LIFE
Congratulations on the purchase of your new Hobie Mirage Tandem Island and welcome to the Hobie sailing family. The
Hobie Tandem Island cannot be outgrown (how do you outgrow fun?) and will provide years of enjoyment for everyone,
from children through senior citizens. A fun-seeking pair or a single adult can sail it at top performance or cruise in comfort.
We offer this manual as a guide to increased safety and enjoyment of your new Mirage. The purpose of this
publication is to provide easy, simple, accurate instructions on how to get your Hobie Tandem Island ready for the
water and use it safely. Please read the instructions carefully and familiarize yourself with your boat and all its parts.
Whether you are a new sailor or a veteran of many years, we recommend that you read this manual thoroughly before
your first sail and TRY IT OUR WAY FIRST! If you are new to sailing, this manual alone is not intended to teach
you how to sail. There are many excellent books, videos and courses on the safe handling of small sailboats. We
suggest you contact your local Hobie sailboat or kayak dealer, college or Coast Guard Auxiliary for recommendations.
Watch for overhead wires whenever you are rigging, launching, sailing or trailering with the mast up. MAST
CONTACT WITH POWER LINES COULD BE FATAL! Be certain that the rigging area and the area you will be sailing
in are free of overhead power lines. Report any such power lines to your local power authority and sail elsewhere.
We take pride in presenting the Tandem Island to you and hope that you'll take as much pride in owning her.
Fair winds and good sailing!
HOBIE CAT COMPANY

This assembly manual takes you step-
by-step through the set-up and sailing of
your new Tandem Island, and will help
you understand each part in detail.
Contents PAGE
Hobie Island Terminology .................................... 3
List of Parts.......................................................... 4
Sail Assembly ...................................................... 5
Mast Assembly ................................................. 5-6
Aka and Ama Installation..................................... 7
Mast Installation................................................... 8
Pivoting Akas....................................................... 9
Furling the Sail.................................................... 9
Reefing the Sail ................................................. 10
Rudder Installation & Function............................10
Centerboard........................................................11
Aka Storage Bag ................................................11
MirageDrive®......................................................12
Basic Kayak Features.........................................13
Seatback.............................................................14
Sailing Basics.................................................15-16
Sail Power...........................................................15
Righting..........................................................16
HOBIE MIRAGE TANDEM ISLAND
OWNERS MANUAL
2
Breakaway Pins..............................................17
Transporting the Tandem Island.....................18
Trailering/Roof Loading..................................18

MAST
The mast is a two-piece design for
easy trailering and storage.
HULLS
The Tandem Island's main and ama hulls are contructed from
Polyethlene, prividing an extremely durable hull that is highly
resistant to dings and scratches.
MAINSHEET
SYSTEM
The mainsheet is
designed with a
pulley system to
allow the sailor to
trim the sail with
minimal effort.
BATTENS
Battens are long thin pieces of
fiberglass rod. These rods give the
sail stiffness and help maintain sail
shape. The unique angles of the
battens allow the sail to easily furl.
TELL TAILS
Tell tails are small ribbons to help
determine the trim of the sail. They
will tell you whether you need to
sheet your sail in or out.
V-FRAME
(not shown here)
The V-frame is an
internal structure
that gives support
to the base of the
mast.
SAIL
The sail is a “square-top” design,
utilizing the latest technology in sail
design.
ROLLER FURLER
The roller furler allows the sail to be rolled
around the mast for easy storage.
AMAS
The Amas are the small
outer hulls that provide
ultimate stability under sail
power.
AKAS
The Akas are the pivoting arms
that connect the Amas to the
hull.
Hobie Mirage Tandem Island Specs
Hull Length= 18’6" / 5.64m
Ama Length= 13'4" / 4.06m
Main Hull Width= 30” / .76m
Width Amas Out= 10' / 3.05m
Width Amas In= 4' / 1.22m
Total Rigged Weight= 190lbs. / 86.18kg
Centerboard
The integrated
centerboard enhances
your upwind performance.
3

List of Parts
When unwrapping your new Tandem Island,
be sure to check that all parts are included and
that the boat is in good order. Find a clean
spot, lay out all of your components and run
through the checklist.
Hull and Crossbars
1. Hobie Tandem Island Hull with Deck
Mounted Crossbars and Mainsheet
2. Two Amas
3. Two Forward Akas
4. Right Rear Aka
5. Left Rear Aka
6. Aka Carrying Bag
Sail Components and Small Parts
7. One Sail
8. One Two-Piece Mast
9. Three Battens
10. Full Length Mast/Sail Bag
11. Bag of Small Parts
a. Allen Wrench
b. Two Nylon Screws and Nuts
c. Small Line for Downhaul
4
2
6
4
5
7
10
9
8
11a
11b
11c
3

Sail Assembly Instructions
5
1. Find a large clean area where you can lay the sail
flat.
2. The sail battens are the
long flexible white rods which
are inserted into long pockets
on the sails. These pockets
run diagonally along the face
of the sail. Simply insert the
battens into the pockets and
run them all the way to the
bottom.
3. Once the battens are fully installed, apply tension to
them to keep them in the pocket. Follow the diagram
below for the proper lacing procedure. Make sure to tie
a knot at the end of the line to prevent it from falling off
the batten.
4. The Island’s
composite mast is two
pieces, so simply slide
the top of the mast into
the lower end.
5. Now slide the small end of the mast into the sail
sleeve all the way to the top of the sail. Once the mast
reaches the top of the sail, make sure the webbing gets
pressed into the fitting at the top of the sail, as shown
below.
6. In the small parts bag, there is a small length of line
that is used to apply a “down” force along the sleeve of
the sail (called downhaul). Tie one end of the line to the
small webbing loop at the base of the sail sleeve using a
bowline knot.
Cleat off line
in batten and
tie a knot at
the end of the
line.
Pull on line to
press batten
into pocket.
1
4
3
2

6
7. Now rotate the base of the mast so that the hole
on the mast collar aligns with the line. Feed the line
through the hole and pull back up to the sail sleeve. Pull
some tension in the line and cleat off the end into the
jam cleat on the sail sleeve.
8. Roll the sail onto the mast. If the sail is in the same
orientation as shown in the image below, rotate the
mast counterclockwise. Basically you're looking to have
the plastic hook located at the clew (near where the
mainsheet attaches) of the sail on the outside when the
sail is rolled.
!CAUTION!
WATCH FOR OVERHEAD POWER LINES
WHEN HANDLING THE SAIL AND MAST.
NEVER RIG, TRAILER, OR SAIL THE BOAT
NEAR OVERHEAD POWER LINES. MAST
CONTACT WITH A POWER LINE COULD
BE FATAL!
9. Once fully rolled,
take the small line with
the knot and wrap it
around the hook sewn
to the sail.
IMPORTANT
To keep your sail in good condition, we highly
recommend that you store the sail rolled around the
mast and inside the included full length storage bag.
It is also important to bag the sail and mast when
transporting on a car top or trailer. It is recommened to
store the sail dry and not wet.

Island Assembly
The instructions below will help guide you through the
most efficient way to assemble your Tandem Island.
Depending on how you transport your kayak (roof racks/
trailer), you may be able to eliminate some steps.
Installing the Akas
1. Lay the Tandem Island hull on flat dry ground. If you
are planning to transport the kayak after it is assembled,
now is a good time to plug in your heavy-duty plug-in
cart. (Assembling the Island on the cart is much easier.)
2. Remove the akas from the carrying bag and install
them on the deck-mounted bars. It is important to
differentiate the rear bars from the forward bars. The
rear bars have an additional smaller tube that can
swivel. With the rear akas, it is also important to note
that there are port and starboard bars. The diagram
below will show you proper orientation.
3. To install the akas, slide the casting on the aka into
the deck mounted crossbar until it clicks into place.
Please note the layout of the bars in the diagram above.
Installing the Amas
1. Both amas are identical, so they can go on either
side. Simply install the end of the aka into the scupper
holes on the ama. Keep the Bungee® on the ama on
the outside of the scupper.
2. Once completely installed, stretch the Bungee cord
over the eyelet posts on the akas. Make sure the aka is
fully seated.
3. When transporting the Island, it is easier to keep the
amas folded along the side of the hull. Pivot the bars
back and stretch the Bungee underneath the forward
aka over the eyelet post near the map pocket.
Starboard Rear Aka
Port Rear Aka
Forward Akas
7
Removing the Akas
To remove the aka bars
from the deck mounted
bars, squeeze the two
buttons on the deck
mounted crossbar and
pull out the aka arm.

1. IMPORTANT!
Before raising
the mast, look
overhead for
powerlines.
!CAUTION!
WATCH FOR OVERHEAD POWER LINES
WHEN HANDLING THE SAIL AND MAST.
NEVER RIG, TRAILER, OR SAIL THE BOAT
NEAR OVERHEAD POWER LINES. MAST
CONTACT WITH A POWER LINE COULD
BE FATAL!
2. To install, take the
bottom of the mast,
and insert it through
the bearing on the
forward deck-mounted
crossbar and into
the mast cup. It is
important to have
good control of the
mast as you install it
so it goes straight into
the hole.
3. As the mast collar
goes into the bearing, you
should hear the lock snap
over the collar. When
installed, there should be
a 1/8”-1/4” gap between
the collar on the mast and
the plastic bearing ring.
4. Unwrap the furling line
from the mast and feed
it through the inboard
crossbar cleat as shown
in the picture below.
5. Feed the mainsheet
hook through the
grommet at the clew of
the sail. For the best
performance, make
sure the line isn't
twisted around itself.
See page 13 for a 3:1
mainsheet conversion.
Removing the Mast
When storing or transporting the boat, be sure to take
down the mast. Before pulling the mast out, look
overhead for powerlines that could make contact
with the mast.
1. Pull back on the mast release trigger.
2. Apply a little side pressure on the mast away from
the trigger as you lift it out. As soon as the mast is free,
grab it with both hands and pull the mast all the way out.
Always pull the mast straight out.
8
! IMPORTANT !
The mast cup must be completely clear of sand that can
collect at the bottom. Collection of sand will prevent the
mast from fully going inside of the cup. To rinse the mast
cup out, lay the boat on its side and splash water into the
cup to allow it to rinse out.

Understanding the Working
Features of your Tandem
Island
Now that your Island is assembled, it is important to
familiarize yourself with how some of its features work
before taking it on the water. We recommed that you
practice the following procedures before launching.
Pivoting Akas and the Locking Crossbrace
The Tandem Island is equipped with pivoting akas to
make it easy to get on and off the boat from a dock or
beach. As the akas fold in, they also move down to give
you plenty of stability even when folded in. Do not sail
the boat with the akas folded in.
To keep the akas in the “out” position, you will need to
lock them using the pivoting crossbrace and ball locking
system. With the akas in the “out” position, press the
spring-loaded sleeve on the end of the diagonal locking
brace and place it over the small ball that is on the
kayak rails in the rear cockpit area.
Position the diagonal crossbrace sleeve over and on top
of the ball and release the sleeve. Lift up on the brace a
little to make sure it is properly locked on the ball.
To fold in the akas, press in on the sleeve and pull the
crossbrace off the ball, then fold the akas in.
Furling and Unfurling the Sail
Furling and unfurling the sail is the process of rolling and
unrolling the sail around the mast.
Before attempting to unfurl the sail, make sure the
furling line is uncleated.
To unfurl the sail, grab the rear corner of the sail and
pull it toward the back of the boat. As the sail unfurls,
the furling line will wrap around the mast collar.
To furl the sail, pull on the furling line and the sail will
wrap around the mast. Pull the furling line into the cleat
to hold it in place. If it is difficult to pull or the sail isn't
furling, you probably have the mainsheet cleated. The
mainsheet must be uncleated for the sail to furl.
9