Dekel from Manhattan, NY

My name is Dekel. I live in the West Village in Manhattan, New York.

Which Tiwal model do you have?

I have the Tiwal 3 small sailboat, which I got last spring.

Where do you sail?

So far, I’ve mostly been sailing in Long Island—on both the bay and the ocean side.

How do you use your Tiwal 

I’m really into the sporty side of sailing, always trying to get as much speed as I can and enjoy the ride. I usually sail solo.

How is it going so far?

It’s been an amazing experience, and I can’t wait for the weather to warm up again so I can get back out there and push the speed even further. Every time I set up the boat, people come over to ask questions. One time, I even sailed with a local guide—someone who owns a sailing school in Long Island—and he tried the Tiwal himself. He was blown away.

What characteristics surprised you?

The Tiwal feels like it becomes a part of you. It’s more like windsurfing than traditional sailing, which I absolutely love. Everything is super responsive; it really feels like an extension of yourself.

What is your best memory with your Tiwal?

There was one windy day early on when I had just started sailing the Tiwal. I wasn’t sure how it would handle the wind. I saw all the other boats returning to the marina, and I was just sitting there, trying to decide whether to go out or not. In the end, I went—and it turned out to be one of the best days I’ve ever had on the water. The boat handled the wind better than any other boat I’ve ever sailed. It was truly an amazing experience.

Where would you dream to sail with your Tiwal?

I love to travel—I used to do a lot of hiking trips—so my dream is to take the Tiwal to remote places, like Alaska or other areas where you don’t usually see boats. I want to sail in places where people rarely go. That’s the goal.