2010 Outback steering problem

I have been searching and have not seen this issue yet(maybe I missed it)
I will start by saying I feel the Hobie outback is the BEST all around fishing kayak on the market and love owning one!

I have a 2010 Hobie Outback that has been used offshore mainly for 2 summers. It has the turbo fin and Sail rudder upgrades.

It started when I would go over a large swell or rogue wave and the rudder would seem to partially lift and it will automaticlly steer left. I can pull the T handle DOWN and regain my right steering but it is normally faster by that time to continue in a circle to resume course.

Now at random times even in calm water I will not be able to turn right and will have to pull the T Handle DOWN.

When this happens sometimes it will throw me into a hard left hand spin. I dont see any visual damage or loose lines.
Any advice will be welcomed

Longshot

Simple answer...

You must cleat the down control line to keep the rudder down.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

The small clip is releasing under pressure and your pull down is restoring it. If you cleat the line down, that'll fix it, but you'll lose the ability of the rudder to kick up if you hit something.

I'm working on a magnet system so the rudder will kick up if you hit something, but immediately snap back in place once you're past any obstruction.

Thanks for the quick response!

Is the small clip something that needs to be replaced?

Again I love the Outback as the ultimate fishing kayak. It has the perfect balance stability, manuvrabilty, speed, cargo space and I can still pick it up alone!

Longshot

Took me awhile to figure out what that thang was for. lol lol

No. The down control line is designed to hold the rudder down. Some adjustment may be possible to hold it tighter in the "clip", but it was never intended be the only hold down. In the older boats the down control lever kept down line tension on it. The "T" handle system has to be cleated to retain the same down force.

The line system will flex/stretch if you hit an object.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

GREAT! Thanks for all the support!!
Longshot