rudder snapped?

Hi,
I'm still new to sailing, and was taught how to sail yesterday, and also went out today. Winds were 9mph or so, and I was going pretty quick, and was nearing flying a hull (had 3 people on boat, obviously flying isnt too possible), and all of a sudden I hear a snap and look back to see the rudder snapped off.

I just wanted to know is this supposed to happen? Or did it happen just because the boat is older?

Was the rudder locked in the down position? Is the blade plastic of fiberglass, white or black.

Sometimes if the rudder is not locked down properly it will break where the upper casting attaches.

Plastic blades don't seem to last as long when stored in the sun, especially the black ones.

it is also possible that the blade had an impact on the beach or while trailer and just stressed out while on the water.

Thanks,
Brad Stephens
www.sunjammers.com
Hobie Division 15 Chairman
Authorized Hobie/Vanguard/Hunter Dealer
[email protected]
850-235-2281
Panama City Beach, FL

It's a classic failure mode of the old ABS rudders (made from late 60's - mid-70's). They get brittle and snap off right below the rudder casting.

The boat will handle much better with new, stiff rudders - but they'll set you back some serious $.

Rudders come up all the time on eBay if you want to take the less expensive route.

Yoh, the thermoplastic blades suck! While they are in one piece they flex pretty bad to a point where cavitation becomes a problem. Once they are in two pieces the cavitation problem is solved but they seem to cause general problems with the steering effectiveness
I would not recommend to get a used thermoplastic blade - they are as old as yours and will probably last equally long.

Spend the $$$ on a set of composite blades (can be used, do not have to be EPO's).

There is a guy on this forum or on the catsailor (Jamie) he encountered the same issue with one of his thermoplastic blade and decided to build one from scratch. I do not agree with his partial wooden core idea, or the lead ballast in the first version - but this could be modified or adapted. They could be as cheap as $30 a piece. Do a search on the topic.

Patrick

just for the record, they were yellow fiberglass rudders. I am pretty sure they were locked in the down position. It snapped about 1/4 the way down from the top of the rudder.

Yup, Raced against a guy named Fast Freddy, he broke his rudder, went home and got a square piece of plywood, bolted it on. he still beat everyone else . Not unheard of if its the old ABS plastic rudders. I've never heard of a EPO break under use.

_________________
1989 Hobie 18 Worlds Boat, Magnum Wings & Spinnaker
1987 Hobie Holder 20 #273

dale.vanlopik"at"att"dot"net

yoh, I tried searching on both sites for what you said, but no luck. Think you can please link me?

Also, I think I'll ebay one, but I'd like to see how this guy actually built one anyways, seems interesting.

Yellow fiberglass? Not from Hobie Cat, so who knows why it may have failed. Age likely. Sure it wasn't yellow(ed) ABS plastic?

Current blades (Since the 80's) don't fail like that.

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

well the inside of the blade is white. I'm pretty sure it used to be white, and turned yellow due to being in the sun. The boat in a very late 70's boat, so that explains it. Also, I thought the rudder was fiberglass, not plastic.. I dont have any fiberglass experience or anything, but I think it's fiberglass?

Composite blades are easily distinguishable from thermoplastic ones - especially if they are broken. If the broken section appears like the blade is made from the same material is would be the thermoplastic blade. If there is a core of some material (foam, wood...) and a composite of some fiber and a resin as an outer shell - I guess you know the end...

This is how it looks when the thermoplastic stuff gives up...

http://www.catsailor.com/forums/showfla ... #Post66710

Here is the compl. story http://www.jaimezx.com/Boating/Hobie/part3.html
Try to avoid the partial wooden core and the unnecessary lead ballast.

Patrick

thanks for the link, very interesting read heh.

My break looks almost identical to that picture. I'm still not sure on what kind of rudder mine is, but oh well lol. I'm going to ebay one soon, but I will patch up some kind of temporary rudder because I plan to go sailing tomorrow and saturday!

just wondering, do yall think I should be OK with this blade?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... Track=true

If you just want to replace what you had - that's it.

You never know when that one's going to break. And it will, eventually.

Why would you pay someone over $60.00 for a shabby old thermoplastic blade? This reminds me I have a pair that is a lot nicer. I think I will stick those on ebay!

Patrick

Hi Patrick,
want to sell me your pair?

Also, just wondering, where's the best place on lake travis to launch a boat from/sail?
I think I'll be heading down there next week. I have a dentist appointment, and I think I'll go sailing while I'm there as well