Review – Charlie from Bend, OR

My name is Charlie, and I live in a town called Bend, Oregon, up in the mountains.

Which Tiwal model do you have?

I’ve had the Tiwal 2L family sailing dinghy for about a year now.

Where do you sail?

While our region is mostly known for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, summer brings access to a wide range of beautiful alpine lakes — and that’s where we do most of our sailing. All the lakes we sail on are natural.

How do you use your Tiwal?

My wife and I blended our families a couple of years ago, so between us we have four kids, aged 11 to 16. In the summer, the six of us pile into the truck and head to the lakes. Some have boat ramps, but many have no access for traditional sailboats – and that’s where the Tiwal is perfect. I can carry it right to the water’s edge, even without a ramp. I’ll sometimes go out alone, sometimes with the kids, or just with my wife — and it’s always a blast. My older kids have even taken it out on their own a few times, especially on lakes where we can keep an eye on them. They’re not expert sailors yet, but they love it.

What was your experience before Tiwal?

I used to live in Charleston, South Carolina, which has a great sailing culture. I did sailing school there, mostly on larger boats — 40-footers — with long-term sailing in mind. But my day-to-day sailing was on smaller boats. I’ve loved sailing for years, but didn’t have much opportunity after moving to Oregon — until I got the Tiwal.

How is it going so far?

It’s the perfect solution when heading into the mountains. My pickup truck is usually loaded with the kids’ kayaks, paddleboards, and other gear, but the Tiwal fits perfectly in two duffel bags. We just toss them in the truck, carry them to the lake, inflate the boat, and we’re ready to go.

What characteristics surprised you?

What impressed me most was how fast the Tiwal is. I’ve tried other non-traditional sailboats before, and they tend to be slow and draggy. But the Tiwal is quick — fast enough to surprise my kids! We’ve been out with me and two of the kids, getting the boat up on a plane, healing nicely, and flying across the lake.

What is your best memory with your Tiwal?

One day this past summer, the three of us were tearing across the water, laughing hysterically. They might’ve been a little nervous about the speed — but we all had a blast.