tiwal 3 sailboat

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The Sailing Skiff that Fits in a Locker

Tiwal 3 adds a new twist to blow-up boat fun..

Sailing a cruising boat is many things-rewarding, sometimes adventurous, and often relaxing-but seldom viscerally fun, not in the way that a beach cat or performance dinghy saturates the senses and puts you in touch with the wind and waves. It doesn’t communicate every ripple and puff, it doesn’t thrill, and it doesn’t allow you to push the edge. It’s the difference between driving a Winnebago and riding a bicycle. For many of us, our love of sailing began with something fast and volatile, and by-and-by, we miss it dearly. And yet as much as wed like to strap a Laser or Hobie to the foredeck, thats not happening.

The Tiwal 3 is an unconventional answer. The skiff-like hull is constructed using high pressure drop-stitch construction (PVC), like inflatable stand-up paddle boards and the Walker Bay Airis Play kayak ( Kayaks for Cruising Sailboats , PS October 2017). This creates a very light and stiff hull to which a frame integrating mast support, moderate hiking racks, running rigging, dagger board, and rudder are attached using numerous double Velcro wraps. The result is surprisingly rigid, giving no hint that it is an inflatable, other than being easier on the knees when tacking. Assembly, from a pair of bags to the water, takes about 20 minutes.

At just 100 pounds, it is easily launched from the foredeck like a typical tender. The carbon fiber mast (five sections) is paired with a square top, fully battened mainsail, which is easily adjusted from full and powerful to flat and twisted, according to downhaul tension and the wind. Two sail sizes are available, 54 and 75 square feet, and the larger sail can be reefed to 54 square feet using a novel Fastex buckle arrangement (you must return to the beach to reef).

Sailing is reminiscent of a Sunfish, but with a full-batten sail and better hardware. Its not as zippy as a Laser, but its not as tippy either, and you can’t really carry a Laser on deck. Our test sail was in light winds, weaving through a harbor crowded with anchored yachts and traffic.

The high-aspect daggerboard (2 3) and rudder allowed it to point high even in our unpracticed hands, as long as we didn’t over sheet or pinch. Tacking was fast and reliable, and we never banged a knee on the deck.

The sail hangs low over the deck, but the carbon boom is sheathed in the sail and too light to pose a serious of hazard. The tiller and sheeting arrangements are smooth and precise; the driver will feel confident throwing the boat around when in a breeze. We watched video of the boat planning, and it felt well balanced to do so.

Although we have not done long- term testing, we talked to a few owners and closely examined the boat, on shore and in the water. It is simple, well made, and should hold up like any similar inflatable tender, which is to say pretty well, so long as you avoid dragging it over rocks.

Conclusions

We see this novel design in much the same way we see high-pressure inflatable kayaks; we like fiberglass a little bit better on the water, but these are real boats and the performance is quite impressive for something that fits in a pair of bags.

Too many times we’ve e felt frustrated at anchor, watching dinghies dance across the harbor while Im stuck with a boring tender and a big boat that isn’t made for afternoon play. If a zipping around the harbor in a responsive dinghy, like the Tiwal, doesn’t make you smile, you might want to rethink your choice of recreational fun.

The Tiwal has a very light and stiff hull to which a frame integrating mast support, moderate hiking racks, running rigging, dagger board, and rudder are attached using numerous double Velcro wraps. The result is surprisingly rigid inflatable.

• Double-wrap hook-and-loop straps secure the hiking racks/frame.
• The mast support is integrated into the frame and hiking wracks. This simplifies assembly and adds stiffness to the rig.
• The boat was stable enough to step onto right from the dock.

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Tiwal 3 Small Sailboat

Home   ›   Tiwal 3 Small Sailboat

Tiwal 3 small sailboat

Your boat fits in your car’s trunk.

THE TIWAL 3 SMALL INFLATABLE SAILBOAT STOWS IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR. IT WILL TAKE YOU ON AN OCEAN OF NAUTICAL ADVENTURES.

The weekend promises to be sunny and you’re dreaming of a trip on the water? Are you vacationing by the sea and looking forward to tacking in that windy bay? Your Tiwal 3 is in the trunk of your car, so it’s okay, we’ll get you out on the water!

Helm a real small sailboat

The Tiwal 3 is easy to handle and is designed for enjoyment, for children and adults alike. Versatile, it is in its element in salt or fresh water and can be sailed in all wind speeds, by a solo sailor or double handed. Comfortable and secure for beginners, it is a lively and fast monohull with more athletic sailors seeking sensations and adventure.

A compact daysailer, easily transported

In the trunk of a car or camper van, on the plane, the deck of a yacht or towed behind a bike. Stored in its 2 bags, you can take the ten and a half foot Tiwal 3 anywhere, without a trailer, for an evening trip after work or during your holidays! When not in use, it is discreet, can be tidied away in a closet or (small) corner of the garage.

Intuitive and fast to assemble

Do you love boating but the time it takes to get on the water makes you queasy? In 20 minutes, the Tiwal 3 can be assembled (and folded back down) alone, without tools or specialist knowledge, using clips and Velcro. Cherry on the cake: maintenance is simply occasional rinsing. Basically, a boat with no strings attached!

Design & Manufacturing

Cutting edge materials, a rig reduced to the absolute minimum and a good touch of daring! The Tiwal 3 small sailboat is a revolution in the world of dinghy sailing and is the result of serious engineering and realization

The frequently rewarded combination of an inflatable hull with an aluminum structure enables Tiwal 3 to have exceptional rigidity. With over 1200 boats sold, the Tiwal 3 is a tried and tested boat, made in France according to industry standards.

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2023 Boat of the Year Best Dinghy: Tiwal 3R

• By Dave Reed
• December 16, 2022

Sailing World Magazine’s  annual Boat of the Year tests are conducted in Annapolis, Maryland, following the US Sailboat Show. With independent judges exhaustively inspecting the boats on land and putting them through their paces on the water, this year’s fleet of new performance-sailing boats spanned from small dinghies to high-tech bluewater catamarans. Here’s the best of the best from our  2023 Boat of the Year nominees »

The High-Pressure Ripper

• Tiwal 3R 2023 Best Dinghy
• Stated purpose: Recreational sailing, one-design and rally racing
• Crew: One to two
• Praise for: Performance, comfort, portability
• Est. price as sailed: $8,900

The surest way to grow sailing is to make it easy to get on the water with minimal hassle on a boat that is exhilarating to sail—and that’s exactly what the inflatable and ­powered-up Tiwal 3R does. Thousands of Tiwal fanatics around the world can’t be wrong; they love their zippy little crafts, and the Tiwal community has grown ever larger since its young French innovators launched the first model a decade ago. The Tiwal 3R is the continuing evolution of a great idea—with even better execution. Tiwal boats keep getting better, and this one is its best yet.

The “R” is for Race, and that’s because after two years of playing and adventure racing on the early-edition Tiwal 3s, keener owners started asking for more. But the engineering required to make Tiwal’s high-pressure inflatable hull and aluminum frame take on greater rig and structural loads that had them stumped for nearly two years, says Emmanuel Bertrand. They kept breaking it until they got it right.

At 10 feet and 121 pounds fully rigged, the magic of the Tiwal 3R is its portability, which would explain why the company says it sells so many in urban areas around the world. The sail, hull, blades, five-part composite spar and boom, and aluminum frame pack into two 5-foot duffel bags. To put it all together at whatever water’s edge takes about 30 minutes; it’s mere minutes if the boat is coming off the car top already pumped and assembled.

The PVC hull construction is identical to all other Tiwals, but the design for the 3R is a big improvement, with a more pronounced V-shape, a bit more rocker, and a reinforcement plate on the bottom near the transom, which gives it stiffness and a cleaner exit. “It’s difficult to get a hard corner on inflatables,” Stewart says, “so that’s a great solution to give it a nice sharp edge and a cleaner break so the water isn’t bubbling up over the back.”

When I got my weight in the right spot, the boat just took off. It’s quicker than quick. —Chuck Allen

The gust-responsive rig and big sail, built with North Sails racing cloth, is what takes the boat a big step from the recreational sailor’s Tiwal 3 to the racing sailor’s 3R, Powlison says. “This is the same size sail as a Laser, 77 square feet, which is a lot of power. When you get the vang set right, it does make a big difference. It is an effective control that they got right.”

Powlison’s only desire was to be able to get the sail controls to run farther back on the rack, accepting, however, that this would unnecessarily complicate the setup.

Allen, who’s been a Tiwal fan since the original, is impressed once again. “You definitely get a lot more performance out of this thing,” he says after sailing the boat in 10 to 15 knots and flat water. “I got hit with a puff and was like, dang! This thing’s got some wheels. It’s much faster and stiffer. I’m 170 pounds and was able to stay out on the rack the entire time, even when it got light.”

Stewart’s assessment of the 3R is that it’s built for a slightly more advanced sailor. “This thing is higher tech, with a lot more control lines, so it’s a bit more boat to handle. That being said, I’m a big guy (the manufacturer’s stated maximum load on the wing is 242 pounds), and I was never sitting in water, so it will accommodate a wide range of people.”

Getting the purchase systems for the 4-to-1 cunningham and the two-part vang (all of which are doubled-ended) into the mast collar hardware was an engineering exercise, says creator Marion Excoffon. But the end result is a system of color-coded lines and color-matched Harken blocks that work effectively and smoothly to depower the sail. Once the control systems are assembled, they don’t need to be rerun. When rigging, simply slide the mast into the collar, hook up the mainsheet, attach the rudder, and cast off for a fast and sporty adventure.

“Every time I got a little puff, the boat zipped right along,” Allen says. “The foils are stiff and shaped well, so the boat goes upwind really nicely. The bow was stiff and wasn’t flopping in the chop. But the best part was reaching around in the big puffs, sitting at the back corner of the rack, with the boat just skimming. When I got my weight in the right spot, the boat just took off. It’s quicker than quick.”

• More: 2023 Boat of the Year , Boat of the Year , Dinghy , Print Winter 2023 , Sailboats
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Tiwal 3 Sailboat for sale in Fort Lauderdale, FL United States of America

Fort Lauderdale, FL United States of America

Make & Model

Tiwal 3 Sailboat

MEASUREMENTS

Description.

Available to Order: Fort Lauderdale

The Tiwal 3 inflatable sailboat combines a PVC hull, an aluminum frame, and a carbon mast to create an innovative design that delivers comparable seaworthiness of a traditional sailing dinghy. The Tiwal 3 is designed for adults and children alike, and accommodates up to two adults or two children and an adult.

The Tiwal 3 inflatable sailboat combines a PVC hull, an aluminum frame, and a carbon mast to create an innovative design that delivers comparable seaworthiness of a traditional sailing dinghy. The Tiwal 3 is designed for adults and children alike, and accommodates up to two adults or two children and an adult. Stored in two convenient bags, simply pack your uninflated Tiwal and its aluminum framework in the trunk of your vehicle without the need for a trailer and head to the water. While not in use, discretely hide your sailboat in a small corner of the garage or a closet in the house. Never has sailing been so convenient and fun.

The PVC hull is fabricated from high-grade PVC and includes two separate pneumatic compartments. The sides and underside are reinforced for added durability. EVA foam deck pads prevent slipping and fatigue.

The aluminum frame is laser-machined, delivering a seamless design, fast assembly, and high quality. Its carbon mast responds quickly and withstands huge stresses under strong winds for maximum stability. Power and safety are provided by the North Sails boomless sail which is available in 56ft2 and 75ft2 sizes. All fittings are manufactured by Harken.

*List price advertises the Tiwal 3 with a 56-square-foot sail. Larger sails and upgraded options available at an additional price.

Come check out a Tiwal Sailboat at either of our Florida east coast stores, located in:

Ft. Lauderdale and Palm Beach.

• Aluminum Frame
• Carbon Mast
• Harken Fittings
• Two Storage Bags
• UV Protection
• High Density Drop Stitch Design
• Side Chafing Strip
• Underside Reinforcement Coating
• EVA Deck Pads
• North Sails Boomless Sail Design

Available Options

• Hiking Rack Pads
• 56 ft2 Sail
• 75 ft2 Sail
• 75/56 ft2 Reefable Sail
• Main Sheet and Double Traveler Block Set

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Hull Material

49.9 kilograms

ABOUT TIWAL 3 SAILBOAT

The Tiwal 3 Sailboat is 10 feet long and has a 5.3 feet beam and a draft of 0.74 meters. The Tiwal 3 Sailboat is made of pvc and can accommodate up to 2 passengers.

SIMILAR LOCATIONS

• Tiwal in Florida
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Tiwal 3: The Airline-Checkable Sailboat in a Suitcase

Ready for travel, this tough inflatable sailing dinghy stows in two tidy duffel bags. popeye sailor’s cap not included..

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Courtesy of Tiwal

The world is full of places that are perfect for sailing but far from a yacht marina. Consider the thousands of perfect mountain lakes, desert islands, and outsized hotel swimming pools. If you can get a kayak on your Outback, you might enjoy a respectable float, but you won’t be sailing . For that, you need your own personal Pequod , a pocket-yacht . . . a Tiwal .

The Tiwal 3 is an inflatable and fully functional sailboat , able to carry two adults for open-water adventures. More impressively, two adults are able to carry the Tiwal 3, since it breaks down into two bags of just under five feet long and 16 by 14 inches square. They won’t fit into the overhead bin on your next flight to Palau, and they weigh 62 pounds apiece, so checking them as luggage will be a fairly spendy proposition, but it beats trailering a Hobie Cat.

They’re hardly carry-ons, but the Tiwal 3’s two 62-pound duffels are surprisingly manageable.

Setting up is (befittingly) a breeze. From bag to bay is a 20-minute process: Just unroll, partially inflate with an electric pump (if there’s power nearby, otherwise with a hand pump), assemble the frame and Velcro it on, and attach the mast. To make everything shipshape (a wide, high-performance V-shape, more particularly), simply give it a bit more pressure with a hand pump. Once afloat, it handles as well as any 11-footer. There are slightly more than 800 Tiwal inflatables plying the world’s waters at the moment, and they’ve become a favorite of weekend adventurers, families (it’s a safe and easy learning setup), and people who live on big boats and think they need additional smaller boats.

For sailors dedicated to testing new waters, it’s become indispensable, and it’s relatively affordable, with prices starting at $5,200. A Popeye sailor’s cap , because you’re going to need one, will add about 17 bucks.

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Choose your Tiwal 3

Tiwal 3 & 5.20 m² Sail

Multipurpose sail, it works well for adults in moderate to fresh breeze, and kids in various wind conditions.

Shipping date: September 9th

Tiwal 3 & 7 m² sail

Powerful sail for single or double handed adults, sailing in light to moderate breeze.

Tiwal 3 & 7/5.20 m² Reefable Sail

Versatile, adapts to wind and sailing conditions without changing sail! (with graphic design)

Versatile, adapts to wind and sailing conditions without changing sail! (without graphic design)

Accessories