Problem with new i11s rudder

Hello all, new forum user and new Hobie i11s kayak owner here,

Our new i11s is my first ever kayak and it has been in the water twice now in the week or so we've owned it. It has been a great kayak so far with one exception. The rudder will not easily come up when the red handle is pulled because the rudder seems to catch in the notch that holds it. Once it is out of that notch it pulls up easily but getting it out of the notch when you are seated on the water is very hard for me, a 200 lb man, and impossible for my wife.

I have been in contact with customer service at Austin Kayak and they have been responsive. The last email I got included the suggestion to file down part of the notch that seems to be the sticking point. I have attached a couple of pictures with that part of the rudder mechanism circled.

My question to the forum is has this been a problem for any other i11s owners and was trimming the notch a solution that worked?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Loosen the drum screw a bit... that allows some movement. Wiggle the steering as you actuate the up control... if you have to. That causes the rudder to pop out from under the latch. The latch helps hold the rudder down on right hand turns as that can cause the rudder to come up as it is side loaded.

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

Thanks Matt, I will try loosening the drum screw before doing any trimming.

I had the same problem with my i11s, called Hobie and they told me to file down the notch. Was told the cleat system made the notches redundant.

I did it, and it solved the problem...but I didn't like having to do surgery on a new kayak.

All of the kayaks still have the notch. Not a problem when the drum is not too tight, but either works.

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

Thank you Matt and reason162 for the feedback. I will post a followup after loosening the drum screw a bit and maybe putting a bit of Teflon-based lubricant on the notch.

I loosened the rudder nut about a half turn and now the rudder moves like it should. Thanks again for the advice.