Tiwal 3 review: Raphael from New York

My name is Raphael Braga. I live in New York, and I’ve had a Tiwal 3 now for 3 years.

Where do you sail?

Mostly around New York and Long Island Sound. There are a couple of lakes that I’ve been nearby. It’s mostly around, sea water.

Single-handed or double-handed?

Mostly single-handed. Sometimes I have a couple of friends just joining for a little bit, but it is mostly single-handed.

How do you use your Tiwal?

Initially I used to store it in my appartment. It’s a small appartment, because obviously I live in Brooklyn so everything here is kind of small.
But then it became a little tight so I got a storage unit nearby. I just leave it here. I stop by, pick it up and put it in the car and then drive off.

How is it going so far?

I love it. I mean… It’s very fun to sail cause it’s a very light boat, so any wind you feel it quite a bit and it’s entertaining. And everywhere I go, it’s always a topic of conversation.

Invariably somebody is gonna stop and ask, “what is this thing, how does it work” all this stuff, so it’s fun.

Which characteristics did surprise you?

I think… how it handles actually. It handles pretty well because when you first think of an inflatable craft, you think it is going to be a little clunky, a little funny. Actually it handles pretty much like a regular fiberglass hull. It’s very light, but it goes in windward very well, it sails very well, it’s fun. It’s more fun even than I thought it would be.

What’s your best memory with your Tiwal?

I mean they’re all pretty good. About 2 weeks ago I went near here in Connecticut. I’ve got a house there right in front of the beach and spent a few days there and the wind was pretty good. It was about 10 to 15 knots everyday, so I was just basically going back and forth. It was a lot of fun. The days were beautiful, not that many people in the water, so it was great. It was really fun to do.

Where would you dream to sail your Tiwal?

I’m actually originally from Brazil. So my dream would be actually to ship the boat to Rio which is where I’m from, and actually give it a shot over there. It’s a little bit of a… you know…. big to do. But one day hopefully, I’ll be able it ship it there and then have fun around Rio. That would be my dream.