Rudder Pin Wear: Mitigation?

Here's a pic of my second rudder pin after about 4 months of use: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipP ... JaRW5TYzBR

Didn't think to get a pic of the first one for comparison purposes.

Seems pretty clear that the rudder pin is a consumable that should be replaced at least annually - although I'm going to try dribbling some Inox down there each time I lube the Mirage Drive and see if it slows things down any.

But does that wear look typical? The groove is kind of deep in that one spot while the wear in the other four apparent contact points is more cosmetic than anything else.

I'm thinking maybe there is a spur or something that I could file smooth...

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2015 AI in "Dune" - "The Grey Pig"
2017 Trailex 450 Trailer
Pre-September 2015 cradles
(anybody want to buy a slightly-used AI SpinKit?)
eMail: [email protected]

I replace mine each year, just in case, but have yet to find any noticeable wear. I have to wonder if something in your rudder assembly is mis-aligned, or perhaps you're in a place where the water might carry a lot of sand or grit that would accelerate the wear issue.

OK: Non-typical wear pattern......

That's what I was trolling for.... thanks.

Sounds like it's worth the time to take the thing apart and inspect.


OTOH, I have to confess to a certain amount of abuse: I like to zig-zag in heavy air and chop... a *lot*.... and one thing that occurs to me is that the leverage of the rudder turning hard exerts most of it's force on the upper pintle.

And, every so often, a hard turn causes the rudder to flick over all the way on it's own - probably presenting the flat of the blade to the water flow.

I've been expecting to break a pin or even snap a rudder - to the extent of practicing navigation using only a paddle as a steering paddle or steering oar...........and I am favorably impressed so far by this thing's durability in that respect.

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2015 AI in "Dune" - "The Grey Pig"
2017 Trailex 450 Trailer
Pre-September 2015 cradles
(anybody want to buy a slightly-used AI SpinKit?)
eMail: [email protected]

After two years use, mine has a groove worn in very similar to that. The gudgeon, from the top of the top bolt hole to the top of the gudgeon, is wearing it away. The groove matches perfectly to that area on mine. I've been waiting for it to break, so I can practice changing it on the water but so far it's been holding strong.

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-- Chad | 2014 TI

Any chance it is moving around while trailering distance?

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

I don't think so.... the rudder is raised and secured with the little webbing strap/bungee while leaning against the mast.

I disassembled the rudder for inspection. It's all plastic - no metal parts.... and no rough edges that I can see.

Based on that and ChadBach's observation on his pin after two years, I'm going with User Abuse plus normal wear.

_________________
2015 AI in "Dune" - "The Grey Pig"
2017 Trailex 450 Trailer
Pre-September 2015 cradles
(anybody want to buy a slightly-used AI SpinKit?)
eMail: [email protected]

I would not look forward to an in-water replacement - favoring the steering paddle solution to get to shore before attempting replacement.

My reasoning is that it looks like a setup for getting separated from the boat - whether anchored (current on the user) or floating free (wind on the boat).

That being said, I do carry an extra pin - and I have some fishing line clove-hitched around it and attached to a fishing bobber just in case I manage to drop it during the process.

_________________
2015 AI in "Dune" - "The Grey Pig"
2017 Trailex 450 Trailer
Pre-September 2015 cradles
(anybody want to buy a slightly-used AI SpinKit?)
eMail: [email protected]

That looks like normal wear with agressive use. Not much different than mine.

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Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

"Aggressive Use".... Yeah.... I like that better than my "User Abuse"..... -)

_________________
2015 AI in "Dune" - "The Grey Pig"
2017 Trailex 450 Trailer
Pre-September 2015 cradles
(anybody want to buy a slightly-used AI SpinKit?)
eMail: [email protected]

I can also agree with "aggressive use" . Every now and then I'll accidentally turn the rudder a bit too quickly. I've also noticed that my boat doesn't have a turn limiter (at least that I could find) so I wonder if the groove could be caused by pushing the rudder against its turning limit on the gudgeon. I've noticed that I tend to do that when tacking.

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-- Chad | 2014 TI

I think I'll put some plumbing silicone grease on mine, same stuff I use on hatch O-rings.

Chris