TI: Steering - Temp solution?

I will post my results over the weekend.

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

Went out to our local small lake. Using the lock down approach worked great. Winds were light but steering tension was vastly improved and responsiveness was improved. Overall, the experience was much better. Course I would prefer not have to locked it down but so far I am much happier. Need a windier day to make a better judgement. For now though, I will be using the lock down approach till a better solution is found.

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

Your fix seems fine, except for launching in shallow and rocky shoreline waters, as I often do. If the rudder does not retract, how do you avoid damaging it during launch?

CoachM

As I feared, while sailing today in 12-18 knots, my steering line snapped. It took some heroic efforts to get to a place to figure out how to fix. Fortunately, I had some extra strength cord available, but it was quite difficult feeding it through the steering line tube and tying it to the frayed end of the remaining snapped steering line.
(This additional rudder problem is on top of the other issues I've already had with the steering.)
I've only had my TI for a month, and this should not have happened. The line break occurred just at the point where the line exited the hull, which is apparently the point of maximum friction due to the rudder design.
I understand from a conversation today with my Hobie dealer that the factory is now well aware of their design flaw, and is working on a fix. It seems that the angle of tension was changed on the TI, as compared to the AI.

Check for a burr on the rudder head... that is likely the issue, not the hull exit point. Where the line exits the drum nut. There is a loose end of line hanging here that makes it appear to have failed at the hull. Note the clean cut there and the abraded failure of the line in the hull.

Yes, we are well aware of the various issues. Again, we believe this to be production related, not design per se. I know there are those that will say its design if it can't be produced without issues, but most of what we have seen has been explained. Its growing pains.

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

CoachM. I agree this fix will not work for all situations nor do I want this to be my permanent fix. Only need about 2 feet of water so as long as there is that much should be able to do. Takes me about 30 seconds to lock it down. I am looking at some other possibilities once I feel like locking it down is really working better. Need a windier day to determine.

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

After my fifth shakedown cruise with my TI, I (fortunately) have not experienced the noted problems with the rudder, or with steering – but with the exception of my last sail, the outings were in relatively benign wind conditions (my GPS recorded top speeds of 7.0 knots in the first four outings).

My last sail (the fifth) was a different story; at the end of an easy sailing day , and on my way to the beach, the winds picked up and I found myself in rough white-capped water and rolling waves – waves hitting me in the face and chest. I reefed the sail, but it required a two handed pull on the line to bring some of the sail in.

While other daring TI/AI sailors would have stayed out or more, I headed straight back to the beach.

When I was about 100 feet from the beach I began furling the sail for landing, but to my surprise the line came undone where it was knotted, and in the excitement I made a very unceremonious landing, getting my shins banged up pulling the TI to shore.

Note to new TI owners: check that knot, I surmise that the line was tied off with a simple overhand knot made at the sail factory. I since retied it with a bowline knot.

I never got to find out just how fast my ride home was, my once trusty Garmin 60CSx has ceased to function after repeatedly getting doused in the salt water waves.

As soon as the skin on my shins heal, I will be out once again sailing the waters on my new TI.

Eddie,

Sorry about your problems--scary, I'm sure, but as you gain experience, those events will be less frequent.

Regarding your GPS, you may be aware that there is an extensive discussion about various units and how to use them. Here is a quote of mine to Brady regarding their "waterproof" qualities:

Here is the link to that GPS thread: http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=27236


Keith

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

For those who have problems with high wave/surf conditions, I have devised a very simple and inexpensive windshield/splashguard. It works great to keep me dry without any restrictions on sailing.
Email me at [email protected] and I will reply with photos of this device. I expect Hobie will probably want to add this to their catalog soon!
CoachM

Thanks for the reply, and for the info on "waterproof" GPS

My Garmin lasted nearly 3 years, but on that last trip it took a drenching.

Winds were a tad higher today. 10-15. Locked down rudder worked very well. Steering responsive, starboard steering responsive, and not near as tight. I will stay with this method for now.

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.