Rudder locks......

Because of mast rake, it was necessary to increase my rudder rake because of weather helm. Acquired some info from one of the masters of this site that allowed me to rake the rudders without re-drilling them. The rudders are adjustable but when fully raked, they just wont stay locked down. I used to hear them snap into place when putting them down but I don't hear that anymore. All components are relatively new. Any ideas???

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Happy Sailing,

David

You have to watch the upper adjuster plate position in the cam. If too far forward the cam won't fully lock. It is also possible to the the upper casting out of alignment so that the plate won't fully seat into the cam.

Check the FAQ on rudder cams: viewforum.php?f=18

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

David, the same thing happened to me, and it's kind of hard to explain, but I'll try.....

It happened when the rake adjuster plate was pushed too far forward. I shoved the rudder forward hard, then shoved the adjuster plate forward hard, and locked it down. Everything was nice and tight, but the rudder wouldn't lock down properly again after being kicked up. I discovered that I was not just pushing the rudder forward in the casting, but I was also taking slop out of the gudgeons, rudder pins, etc. When trying to lock again afterwards (with the slop free again), the front of the plate was so far forward it was striking the cam too close to the sister screw for the cam to rotate properly.

Try adjusting just to where the fore side of the rudder head just lightly meets the lower casting. Hope that makes some sense!

Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton ,Mississippi

I need that last little bit of angle to keep the weather helm at a minimum. Do you think grinding down the radiused portion of the uper casting a little would help it seat better? Just an idea.

_________________

Happy Sailing,

David

Yes... perfect idea. Or move the rear / upper drill hole higher. I believe we have, or are going to, modify upper castings in that way on new 16s to get that max rake.

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

Thanks guys for your input. Decided to slightly grind the radiused portion of the upper casting and got both rudders to snap down perefectly when adjusted at full rake. Of course, this is in my driveway but the real test will be on the water on Saturday. Thanks again for all your help.

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Happy Sailing,

David