Tiwal 3 review – Bill from Sedona, AZ

My name is Bill. I currently live in Sedona, Arizona, in the US.

Which Tiwal model do you have?

I have the Tiwal 3 small sailboat, which I’ve had for two years now.

Where do you sail?

So far, I’ve only taken it out in the Pacific Ocean on the Baja California side. It’s on the Pacific coast in a remote area that’s hard to access.

How do you use your Tiwal?

I’ve mostly been sailing up and down the coast while camping. Our trips to Baja California are camping trips. I have a pickup truck, and the Tiwal fits in the back along with the rest of my supplies. Since the location is so far and isolated, there’s no way to take any other kind of boat there. The Tiwal’s compact and portable design is perfect for this kind of trip.

How is it going so far?

When launching, I usually get help going in and out of the surf. Someone holds the boat steady and keeps it turned into the waves. One challenge is aligning the boat into the surf while keeping the sail positioned with the wind coming along the shore.

In my first year, I always needed assistance. By the end of the second year, I was able to handle launching and landing by myself. I’d walk the boat out as far as I could through the surf, jump on the back, lower the daggerboard, and start sailing before the next wave rolled in.

The Tiwal handled well over the swells. Even after clearing the surf, I encountered moderate swells that weren’t too big. If the waves were larger, it would have been too dangerous to attempt launching. I’m looking forward to trying the Tiwal in calmer conditions, like on a lake, for a more relaxed experience.

What characteristics surprised you?

One of the most surprising things was how well the Tiwal tacked into the wind. Initially, I was worried about sailing down the coast and not being able to return. But I was able to tack back and forth efficiently and sail right back to where I started.

Interestingly, I practiced capsize recovery almost from the start. Launching through surf, even with waves only two or three feet high, posed challenges. If I didn’t jump on the boat and navigate the surf quickly, the waves would turn the boat sideways, leading to a capsize.

What impressed me the most was how resilient the Tiwal was. Even when it tipped over in the surf, I could right it without losing or damaging anything. The waves washed over both me and the boat, but everything held together remarkably well. The combination of the surf and the big sail created a lot of energy, but the Tiwal withstood it.

What is your best memory with your Tiwal?

Once I get through the surf, it’s just fun and relaxing to sail along the shore. Scooting down the coastline in the ocean is truly enjoyable.