Rudders

Can someone refresh my memory on how the rudders stay locked down. I have this problem when going along and when I sometimes hit an obstacle under water. They will not stay all the way down which really affects how the boat performs. Any parts worn out?

The "Cam" rotates and locks over a pin or plate in the upper casting when the rudder is down. Likely this cam is just stuck in the down position.

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

Rudders and Cam FAQ: http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=467

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

Sounds to me like they are working exactly as they should. If your rudders don't kick up after hitting an obstacle underwater something else is going to break.

Understood, but, this happens without hitting anything. I was wondering if the srings were weak and in need of replacement.

In my experience, the springs don't tend to "wear out". But, depending on the age of your boat, the whole system may need an adjustment and/or overhaul. This would include properly setting the rudder rake adjustment plates in the top casting (if your boat is so equipped), replacing worn out cams, properly setting the plunger spring tension, and lubricating the system.

The first question would be are your cams rotating propery?
If the answer is yes, then likely all you need to do is tighten the big plastic screw on the underside of the lower casting. The tension on this screw is what controls the spring pressure on the cam.

If the answer is no, then you may need to re-set the position of the rake adjustment plate on the upper rudder casting. You may also need to replace the cams. At the very least, you will want to ensure that the cam/plunger interface surfaces are well lubricated with a thin coating of grease.

I recommend putting your boat on the trailer and locking the rudders down several times to make sure the system is functioning correctly before you leave the beach. It's much easier to get these issues sorted out on land than on the water.

sm

Thanks everyone, now I remember someone teeling me about the adjustment screw.

Jeremy at Surf City Catamarans made an excellent video (as well as a few others) about how to fix your rudder castings/cams so they are working like new. I actually just went through this process and mine work better than they ever have. I'm at work so I can't site the youtube link, but a quick search should pull it up.

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

Yeah... you didn't mention the obstacle was water If your boat is more than a few years old the adjustment screw is likely frozen solid. If so, a quick and dirty fix to give your cams more tension is to put some shims (nylon washers) under the springs if you are going to replace (or have already replaced) the cams. A spring kit includes a new plunger but I have also inserted the old plunger under the spring to add tension.

How's this?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUUA7l6fzIk[/youtube]

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Sail Revolution
Join us on our new FB Page!

Thanks Jeremy, that helps alot.

Eric

this might help...if you dont have the tools Jeremy has, you can burn them out....check out my thread

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1981 Hobie 16
1982 Hobie 14 turbo (sold)
1996 SeaDoo GTI
1999 Hunter 340

Ok, now that I have removed the castings it seems that the springs are not showing alot of tension against the plungers. The adjusting screws have not been turned in years, so I put on some penetrating oil on them hopnig to make it easy to back them out, but I don't think its going to work. I need to buy a large screwdriver before attempting this.

get a drill bit that is like 1/2 inch, drill a hole straight through it. Hit it with a torch, let it burn mostly out, then just pop the melted section out, and re-tap with a 3/4x8'' bolt and purchase two new kits! I think total cost for both sides was like $28?

Will make things much simpler!

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1981 Hobie 16
1982 Hobie 14 turbo (sold)
1996 SeaDoo GTI
1999 Hunter 340

Ok, I've drilled out the old screws and used a torch to remove the remants. They were really stuck in there. They probably have'nt been turned in 30 years. Not having a tap, I used a wire brush on a drill extension to clean the threads. The new screws won't go in much further than the old ones so I decided to put in some ss washers to stiffen up the springs. My local Hobie dealer reccomended putting some anti-seize lubricant on them. It should work just fine.