Tiwal: The Inflatable Sailboat Packed With a Whole Lotta Fun
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The inflatable sailboat Tiwal has made a huge splash in the sailing scene — with its portability, performance, and pure fun on the water creating thousands of fans all around the world. I’ve even spotted a Tiwal fleet in recent episodes of Below Deck Sailing (they sure impressed Captain Glenn), and Bear Grylls given them two big thumbs up.
In short, the Tiwal is an inflatable sailing dinghy that fits in two bags, and assembles in 20mins or less, without tools (just air-pumps). Simple, but it’s packed with engineered strength, and smile-making performance in the water.
So when I met Melinda Heshaw an Olympic 470 sailor with over thirty years sailing experience, showcasing the Tiwal at the Auckland Boat Show, I had a million questions. Fortunately we caught up again recently where she was kind enough to give me the low-down on what makes this such a great option for getting out on the water. Plus, shares some highlights from her own Tiwal sailing adventures to inspire your own.
Here are the top 6 Tiwal takeaways from our Q&A:
Fun for all levels of sailer
Easy to set up and pack down solo
It’s lightweight, strong and low maintenance
Only two bags — stores in a small space
Responsive, stable and great performance
Easy adventuring locally and overseas
Melinda Henshaw, lovely to chat again — let’s talk Tiwal!
Tiwal 2. Photography © Tiwal
Q: What in particular attracted you to the Tiwal?
MH: Yeah, it was the two bags. So outside the garage I was like, "Okay, well, let's carry the bags to the beach and put the Tiwal on the water." So it was the ease of it.
Q: Sounds like it’s perfect if you want to sail on your own or don’t have anywhere to store a dinghy or trailer?
MH: Yes, it is. The ease of storage is a big attraction. It's lightweight, easy to handle, and comfortable to sit on, making it accessible for someone who wants something lighter and more manageable. They can put the mast up by themselves.
Q: It looks like the Tiwal is beginner-friendly but you're a previous Olympic 470 sailor and I know you love sailing it. Does the Tiwal cater to both beginners and experienced sailors?
MH: Yeah, that's a good question. It does provide for both. We have people who have had their Tiwals for quite a long time, and even the weekend sailors stay interested. It's not just for learning; it's great for those getting back into sailing, often retirees who want an easier way to sail and more flexibility in where they can launch from.
Q: What is the most common feedback you hear?
MH: It’s just easy to get back on the water again. And that’s their aim. People love the accessibility and simplicity of the Tiwal.
Getting back out on the water — the Tiwal’s great fun in all conditions. Photography © Tiwal
Let’s talk Tiwal set up and pack down
Q: How easy is it to set up the Tiwal?
MH: It's really easy for anyone to put together. You do need some basic knowledge, like pointing the boat into the wind (and avoiding power lines). But overall, it's straightforward to put together.
Q: The number of times I’ve tried to put products back into their original covers or package it the same way it came and it’s impossible! How easy is it actually to pack the Tiwal back into its bags?
MH: I use a pump to suck the air out which makes it really easy to roll up and it does fit in the bags. It’s quicker actually which is why I use it. But even if I don’t use the pump, you do have to do it quite tight but there’s no special trick — you just roll it and put it in the bag. It’s fairly simple, straightforward.
Q: And it only takes 20 minutes to pack down?
MH: Yes, once you know what you're doing, you can do it in 20 minutes.
Super fun out on the water. Photography © Tiwal
Let’s talk performance
Q: How does the Tiwal compare to learning on a Laser?
MH: The Tiwal is a lot more stable and forgiving. A Laser is quite tippy, especially in a breeze, requiring more body weight management. With the Tiwal, you’ve got a lot more time to react, even gybing in big winds.
Q: What wind conditions is the Tiwal good for?
MH: Like any sailboat, it can sail in anything. If you’re racing in lighter winds, you may notice a difference due to the increased surface area in contact with the water. In heavier winds, it's really comparable to other boats because it's a planing dinghy and gets up and planes nicely. And it’s so lightweight, so it’s good fun!
Q: Have you sailed it in really stiff breezes?
MH: Yes, I've had it out in 30 knots. While that's not enjoyable in any boat, it was great for testing the equipment. Sailing in 15-20 knots and waves is really fun in the Tiwal. Especially downwind!
Q: Which Tiwal model is your favourite?
MH: The original model, the T3, with the rigid bars along the side (hiking bars), really provides more rigidity and handles bigger waves and wind nicely. The racer model has a more powerful rig, longer centerboard, and rudder, allowing it to sail beautifully to windward. It feels beautiful.
My choice is the suped up model (T3R) which has that greater range, and being able to sail to windward as high as any other boat is a real bonus — with a boat that you can put in your car!
Q: What sort of speed can you get from it?
MH: I haven't compared the race model to any other boat. The original model (T2) would be the same kind of speeds as an O’pen BIC and the race model you’re not quite holding onto a Laser. The speeds vary greatly depending on conditions. You might see speeds from 4 to 10 knots, with the possibility of 10 to 12 knots on a broad reach in good breeze.
Q: How does the furling main or reefing main option work?
MH: The furling main is great for when you want to tie the Tiwal off the back of your cruising boat and roll the sail up to get the sail out of the way. It’s also really easy to wrangle on a cruising boat and if you’re trying to rig up a sail on the boat. This one doesn’t have many battens so it’s easy to pop down the hatch to store it.
The reefable sail is great if you’ve got minimal storage wherever you are and you only want to have one sail. So the reefable sail doesn’t actually adjust while out sailing you do that before you go out.
Q: Are there many cruisers using the Tiwal?
MH: Yes, quite a few cruisers with the T2 and quite a few of the bigger boats around 50 feet or longer, have Tiwal 3s. It's a popular option for superyachts as well.
A great addition to the cruising life. Photography © Tiwal
Q: How easy is it to right the Tiwal if you capsize?
MH: It's lightweight and has bars on the sides to pull down, making it easy to right. Getting back on is straightforward since the boat isn't very deep, you can just drag yourself on, as opposed to having to get over the side of a dinghy.
Q: How comfortable is it to hike out on the metal bars?
MH: It's a really good idea to get the padding that goes over the top of the bars for extra comfort.
Q: Are there any upcoming features for the Tiwal?
MH: An electric outboard motor is coming soon, which will be a great addition!
Perfect for exploring lakes. Photography © Tiwal
Let’s talk make and maintenance
Q: Where are the Tiwals made, and how durable are they?
MH: They’re assembled in France using parts from all over Europe, with the hull made in China. Yeah it’s very durable, with strengthened and welded seams to cope with more power from the racing model. They’re good hulls. On top it’s strong too.
Q: Has anyone punctured them and are they easy to repair?
MH: There’s been a couple of punctures, I can’t remember what the circumstances were. But it’s quite an easy repair because most paddleboards have the same technology these days, so there's a lot of repairers out there that know how to deal with the high-pressure hulls.
Q: Is there any maintenance required for the Tiwal?
MH: Just wash it down with fresh water, especially the moving parts. I give it a wash every couple of times out.
Camping along Cooper Creek River. Photography © Melinda Henshaw
Sailing down the Cooper Creek River. Photography © Melinda Henshaw
Let’s talk adventures
Q: How important is portability for people buying the Tiwal? Can you take it on a plane?
MH: Portability is massive. You can take them on a plane as extra baggage. I've done it, and while it's a bit cumbersome, it's manageable. You just have a pump to inflate it at the other end.
Q: Do you have any favourite places to sail the Tiwal?
MH: We've taken it out to Great Barrier Island and sailed off the beach there all the way out to Arid Island, and even took a trip to the outback of Australia. We put it in a car and drove to a river called Cooper Creek. We sailed down the river with all the gum trees, and the sulphur-crested yellow cockatoos and the noise they were making in the evenings. It was just amazing. We were camping on the riverside along the way. Each place was special and memorable.
Q: How much gear can you fit on the Tiwal for trips?
MH: You can fit some gear, but it's more suited for minimalist travel. We sailed to Rangitoto Island with gear, which worked well for a night out.
Q: Could you use the Tiwal as a sailing dinghy for longer trips, pack some gear on it like a tent?
MH: Yes, if you were travelling minimalist you could definitely do that. You’d probably want to do it in summer!
Let’s talk getting onboard a Tiwal
Q: Where can people buy the Tiwal, and do you provide customer support?
MH: People can buy it online from Tiwal, and I provide customer support, including carrying spares and working with people if they have any issues.
Editor note: Henshaw Yachting operates the NZ/Australia distribution of Tiwal.
Find your country dealer here.
Q: Is there a Tiwal community?
MH: We’ve built up a great community and keep in touch when I’m in a certain place. We usually get the Tiwals together in Sydney, or the Gold Coast and have a sail together or give some lessons. We have had a couple of Tiwal Cups in New Zealand — it’s quite big in France!
To learn more or to get involved, visit the Tiwal website and follow social media for updates on demo days and events.
In Summary
It’s never been easier to get out on the water — especially if you don’t have the space or desire for a larger boat. The Tiwal offers a unique blend of portability, ease of use, and performance, making it a fantastic option for sailors of all levels. Whether you're a beginner looking for an easy entry into the sport or an experienced sailor wanting a convenient way to get back on the water, the Tiwal could be the perfect solution.
Melinda's parting words encapsulate the spirit of the Tiwal: "It's really about making sailing accessible and easy for everyone. The Tiwal allows you to enjoy the water without the usual hassles of boat ownership."
Sounds good right?! Give it a go today!
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