Trailering Hobies

Is it advisable or even recommended to trailer any Hobie with the rudders still attached to the hulls. To my thinking this would put the gudgeons and pins under tremendous stress with all the weight of the rudders in the up position

Hoboturbo

I trailer my H14T and have not had any problems. Weight is not an issue. You put a lot more stress on the gudgeons when sailing than you ever would while trailering. I just lock the rudders up and bungee the crossarm down so that it won't accidently unlock.

For short trips, I left my rudders attached. But when I headed down to the coast, I removed them. The reasoning was not so much to protect the transoms, but to save wear and tear on the bushings and rudder pins from the slight back and forth motion on the rudders. Plus I'd change out to fiberglass rudder pins for surf sailing.

Brian C

All that vibration, even on a short trip, will open the rudder holes on any cast alum part. It may not seem like it is doing it, but in the long run, your system will develop slop which is not healthy for good ruddering! I found this out the hard way over 25 years ago. Since then, I NEVER trailer with the rudders on. Of course if you have the quick disconnect crossbar it does make it easier.
Bob

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Bob Curry
Master Unirig Sailor

I agree with Bob. Alos buy or make some rudder covers, so the stuff in your sail box doesn't knick them up. I have some old EPO's that are worth there weight is gold, and I protect them.

Doug Snell
Hobie 17
"Stress Free" #007

hi im new and i just got a h14 but it did not have a trailer so we flipped it upside down and put it on top of my suburban... it that ok?

Pics or it never happened.

I've trailered my H16 over 20 years and my H17Sport for 7 years (~500 - 800 miles/year)always with the rudders attached and have seen no ill effects. I use stainless steel rudder pins and replace the inexpensive bushings about every 2-3 years. I have standard rudders and have never covered them, also with no noticeable effect. Though I did break one of the H16 rudders, but man it was really blowing and I was flying when it broke.