On the topic of clashing colors...Matt Miller?

Matt,

I`m going to purchase a new set of the EPO rudders and I have a color concern. I have a top-notch set of custom refinished hulls with canary yellow tops. I`m real proud of the refinishing job and want to choose the EPO rudders with the best color match. I`ve noticed that the Kevlar/Carbon rudders look like they have a little of that "Kevlar-yellow" colour to them, but the pictures in the catalog and website aren`t all that clear. The Carbon EPO looks plain gray/black to me, and the Kevlar/Carbon looks grey/yellow. Am I seeing these colors correctly?

Also, are the patterns/colors on the EPOs created by the underlying fabric or simply with a decal placed on/into the laminate. Some decal patterns look...well, very cheap. I understand you have a certain obligation here, so maybe someone else can provide their opinion as to the actual quality/look of the decal pattern...ie, is it really nice looking, or just O.K?

Can you help me out with a description? Or link me to some other photos?

Thanks a bundle,

Dave

Have no photos, but Dave...those ain't no decals, that's the fabric. And at least in the eyes of those who know what they are, they're real, real, nice looking.

That said, I have an option for your fine looking, resto 70's Hobie. The fiberglass racing rudders, a more traditional look, fine off-white gelcoat finish and not an appreciable performance difference (at least not to non-professional sailors like you and me).

_________________
hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

Colors?

The carbons look black. The photo has reflection from the shiny surface. The kevlar carbons are kevlar yellow and black carbon. This is the weave of the cloth you see through clear resin.

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

Guys,

Thanks a lot for the info. I was really hoping we weren`t talking submerged decals here. I`m very, very glad to hear otherwise.

Matt. I was hoping you would describe the colors as you did. I`ll definitely be opting for the Kevlar/carbon.

Have a great weekend,

Dave

Dave - I'm familiar with your resto, having seen the photos on Catsailor.

Be forewarned that the new EPO (and the old ones for that matter) are thicker than the old rudders and do not fit easily into pre-1983 rudder castings. They're even tight in new castings.

Be prepared to do a little machining on the castings to widen up the slot. DO NOT try to bend them open - you'll only break them.

MBounds,

Thanks for the tip. Although I would never try to bend an aluminum casting, I was not aware of the fitting issue. As it stands now, my rudder casts exhibit about 1/16th to 1/8th space between the the cast and the rudder on BOTH sides of the rudder - on all 4 casts. This is enough space so as to be filled by two of the plastic (rudder stiffening kit) washers on each side of the rudder - ie. that is 4 washers per stainless thru-bolt.

This amount of extra space seems a little excessive to me given the "old style" rudder thickness. I don`t know if this is the way the casts were made or the result of wear. In either event, can you provide a revised opinion regarding the fitting issue. Will I still have to open the casts up? ...Any estimate as to how much and at which points on the cast?


Dave

I'm not sure of the exact thickness of the new EPO's - I have a set of the European carbon rudders that are thicker, but not quite as thick as the EPO's.

It's a trial and error thing with the new rudders / old castings. You might not have to remove that much material, given your description of your castings.

You can do it with a file (and a lot of elbow grease), or you can use a Dremel tool and clean it up with a file after.

Mbounds,

Now you`ve got me wondering if trying the EPOs with the old casts is really a good idea. I certainly wouldn`t want to weaken the casts by having to remove too much metal.

I will make a new post to solicit opinions from those who have done this


Thanks

Dave

I would not be concerned about weakening the castings when installing EPO blades. Not an issue. If they don't fit, grind away. I cannot tell you how close a fit they are on old castings though. Never was a problem with the originals. You always had to grind some and it never caused issues of any kind.

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

Thanks - good to know.


Dave