Tiwal 3 review: Ben from Klamath Falls, OR

My name is Ben, and I live in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Which Tiwal model do you have?

I purchased my Tiwal 3 small sailboat in July of 2024 and was able to use it for a few months before the snow fell.

Where do you sail?

I’ve mostly taken it out on the many lakes around our area in Oregon. I’ve even taken it to some lakes near the coast, but I haven’t used it in coastal waters yet.

I’ve been on a couple of sailboats, but I don’t have any technical sailing experience. I’ve always been interested in sailing. I’ve been on boats all my life, but every time I see a sailboat, I think, “Man, I’d like to try that!”

So I decided to do some research on how I could get into sailing, and that’s when I saw a picture of a Tiwal. I zoomed in on the picture, Googled it, and fell in love with it just from looking at the website!

I learned everything I know about sailing on the Tiwal.

Single-handed or double-handed?

I mostly sail single-handed, but my wife and I also go out together. Our kids are grown, so it’s just the two of us and our dogs sometimes. When I’m by myself, I like to really go after it, but sometimes we take the sail off and just paddle around. It’s very versatile, and we like it a lot.

How is it going so far?

It’s easy to set up and transport. I do have the dolly to pull it if I have to go very far to get to the water.

What characteristics surprised you?

I really enjoy how rigid it is and how much it feels like a real boat – not something that has air in it. My biggest surprise was that it can get up on plane if there’s enough wind. That was really fun!

What is your best memory with your Tiwal?

I took it to a lake on the Oregon coast – not the ocean, but a lake that’s only 300 feet away from the Pacific Ocean, separated only by sand. It’s about 10 feet above sea level and very windy, with 18 to 20 knot winds. It’s a popular spot for kiteboarding and windsurfing. There were hundreds of people out on the lake that day, and I was the only one with a Tiwal. Everyone kept coming over to ask me about it. I had a lot of fun that day.

Where would you dream to sail with your Tiwal?

Warm, tropical coastal waters would be the best, but living on the West Coast, we don’t have a lot of that. I can take it on an airplane, though. I know I can check it in as two bags, so maybe I’ll take it to Florida or Hawaii someday. I think that would be really fun.