Hummm

First thanks for all the posts. I read every one and 6 weeks ago picked up my 2008 Getaway. I've only had it out 6 or 7 times but I love it!!! (Capsized twice already - fun!) I am relatively new to sailing but have always wanted a cat of my own. Thanks again to everyone for all the experience and info!

I have a question about the loud humm I hear when I get going over about 14 mph. It sounds like the standing rigging is resonating. Is that normal? Do I need to tighten it more, it all seems tight when not under sail?

Tom

Congrats on the new Getaway!!!


Likely the humm you hear is the rudders - there are tips for trying to eliminating that on the product support pages...(among other advice)

link: http://www.hobiecat.com/support/index.html

Thanks! I'll try that. Unfortunately I'll probably not get to see if it works until Spring !

Matt,

Is rudder hum a problem? I actually enjoy the sounds and feel of it.

Humm from the rudders is not a "problem" in any other way than the sound it produces. It can be rather loud at times!

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

Fellow Fleet sailor Jim Wood used to call my 16 "The Green Hornet" for the wailing (whale-ing, even) it made. Thankfully got some nice old EPOs and it doesn't do this anymore.

The hum is more of a symptom than a problem - the trailing edge shape and the flexibility of the plastic rudders are the cause. The vibration itself probably causes a little drag but mostly I wanted stiffer rudders for the better control and feel that they give.

Regardless of stiffness, you can eventually get anything to hum with enough speed. At about 23 mph the daggers of the 18 hum by vibrating in their wells, and the rudders start to ventilate, with a horrible sucking sound as air is pulled down the faces of the rudder. Keep in mind that this kills your steering. And going downwind too, so the boat turns up and gains even MORE speed...and less control. Pretty wild.

_________________
Tim
Unofficial Fleet 72 Communications Officer and Div 4 Webmaster
http://www.hobiefleet72.org
http://www.div4.hobieclass.com/

I thought it was a Hobie speedometer.
Bill

I checked out the rudders and they are tapered as they should be without high areas needing to be shaved down, no high area at all! Any other suggestion, I'm thinking if it doesn't change performance or hurt anything that I'll just live with it as my speedometer.