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TIWAL’s Clever, Collapsible Sailboat Fits in the Trunk of Your Car

By Mike Richard Dec 19, 2019 12:23 AM

We live in a glorious age of portability for adventure gear. From modular surfboards to inflatable stand-up paddleboards to collapsible “briefcase” kayaks, it’s possible to road-trip with a full arsenal of outdoor kit while leaving the rooftop cargo carrier in the garage. Now, French brand TIWAL has joined the fray with the most compact collapsible sailboat we’ve ever seen.

tiwal sailboat — Image used with permission by copyright holder

To be sure, the company’s latest generation TIWAL 3.2 is no party boat, but it’s not trying to be. It’s designed as a spur-of-the-moment pleasure craft for tooling around mountain lakes or roadside ponds without worrying about hauling a full-size boat. By the numbers, it’s a surprisingly solid, full-featured watercraft. The 10.5-foot-long TIWAL weighs just 111 pounds but is capable of ferrying nearly 420 pounds of passenger weight. In practical terms, this equates to two reasonably sized adults or one adult with two children.

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The V-shaped underbody is built wide for added stability, even when loaded to bear. The design ensures it’s able to tackle relatively rough waters without capsizing. This also means it’s capable of maximum acceleration in three- to four-force winds (depending on load). The base 56-square-foot sail offers a good balance of performance in almost any sailing condition, while the upgraded 75-square-foot canvas ensures higher-performance in even the lightest winds. The hull is crafted from the same durable double- and triple-layer PVC material used in the manufacture of many semi-rigid motorboats.

tiwal sailboat — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The TIWAL packs down to a surprisingly compact footprint. The entire inflatable dinghy fits into just two medium-sized duffel bags that are collectively small enough to fit in the trunk of a car or the rear of a small SUV. Setup is simple. Unpack the two bags along the water’s edge, inflate the hull, assemble the structure, and raise the sail. With a little practice, the two-person task can be tackled in less than 20 minutes. Take-down requires a bit less time.

The entry-level TIWAL 3.2 with a 56-square-foot sail starts at $5,200 (plus shipping). Upgrade to the larger, 75-square-foot sail package for $5,500, or score both sails with the company’s flagship, $6,200 package. A two-year warranty against manufacturer defects is included.

Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He’s kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South… Read Full Bio

I tried the Yozma IN 10 Pro electric dirt bike, and it was nothing like riding an e-bike

i tried the yozma in10 pro electric dirt bike and it was nothing like riding an e img 0424

I’ve spent plenty of time riding e-bikes, but I’d never ridden an electric dirt bike before. When I had the opportunity to try the Yozma IN 10 Pro, I was curious to see how the two would compare. As it turns out, they’re completely different experiences. The IN 10 Pro is fast, surprisingly loud, and considerably more powerful than anything I’d ridden before.

I didn’t push the bike anywhere near its advertised top speed of 50 mph, and I didn’t need to. Even at lower speeds, riding the IN 10 Pro was a lot of fun. Between the powerful acceleration, responsive steering, and the way it handled gravel and dirt, there was plenty to enjoy. And despite all that power, the ride was surprisingly comfortable, even over uneven ground. It didn’t take long for me to understand why people love riding dirt bikes.

Arc’teryx x BEAMS: The blend of Alpine tech and Tokyo style

Arc'teryx x Beams

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I wore the Gamma Jacket and Jogen pants during the fall changeover in Virginia’s picturesque Shenandoah Valley, testing for warmth, wind resistance, and style. Here’s my take.

More than a name: Meet Eddie Bauer, the true-life explorer behind your outdoor brand

Clothing, Hat, Face

From the time I was a little man, I excitedly tugged at the shirt tails of my father and grandfather every time they left the house to do anything relatively outdoorsy. They would leave the house hauling gun cases, fishing poles, camping gear, hiking packs. The men of my life loved everything adventurous, and they would do it every chance they could. When I was big enough, I would be allowed to come with them. I got my own boots. I procured my own active wear that could resist the weather. I opened my own parka for Christmas. Not only was I now in the same boat with them, in the same tent with them, and in the same deer stand with them. I also wore the same brand as them. Eddie Bauer was their go-to, and it had become my go-to.

But what was it about that brand? What was it about the man behind the brand that became the man’s best friend in the wilderness? Well, here is what you need to know about the guy who ditched the work world to open an outdoor brand simply so he could go outdoors all the time. And made it possible for my grandfather, my father, and then me.