Proportion of TI owners with rudder problems?

I'm starting a new thread here so that, hopefully, even those whos Tandem Islands work fine will respond.

After reading about the TIs rudder issues I'm really considering canceling my order even though mine seemed to work fine in the water when I sailed it for a while at my dealer, the rudder didn't seat perfectly on mine either though. I've felt a loss of confidence in that my boat won't also start to experience rudder problems and that has taken all the fun out of thinking about future sailing. The official response to the problem hasn't really made me confident that the problem will get a definite solution as well.

My question is therefore how large the proportion of TI owners here on the forum that has experienced rudder issues actually is? I'd ideally create a poll but I can't seem to find that option so please make a reply in this thread if you own a TI and mention if you've had rudder problems or not.

Mine works fine.

(I apologize in advance if the following sounds too strong)

I'm not a person that knowingly buys a .0 product (first generation), but I make an exception for Hobie, because they stand behind their products so well. They may take longer than we may want, but in the end, Hobie (and their good dealers) have always come through for me!

But, if you are not sure, wait awhile and the TI will then be great, but you'll have missed a summer of sailing. (There are so many people currently waiting for a TI, that yours will just be grabbed by the next person in line).

Enjoy, what ever you decide...

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

I don't mean to take over this thread for a purpose other then it's original intent, but what reconlon says is very true. I'm getting a 2010 AI, and there have been all kinds of subtle improvements over the years which make my boat perfect for me. If the TI has problems to start, I'm confident that Hobie will address them, but the reality is with a 1st design, that there may be a few kinks to work out.

The original AI owners had to deal with a sub par rudder up/down system, but Hobie didn't just redesign it for future model years, they allowed all previous model years with the less then perfect system be retrofitted for free to the new up/down rudder system.

Reconlon's right. If you're not comfortable with a first year design because of the risk of issues, take a year or two to wait for the second or third year of the design. There will be plenty of TI's sold in the first year to those who are willing to take that small risk, and people like myself who buy a later model year will benefit from all of those early adopters.

The issue should probably not be "how many people are having problems" but instead should be "how effectively have those problems been dealt with"

Just my two cents, sorry if it's not in line with the original intent of this thread.

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As an "early adopter" of 2 AI in 2006 I found Hobie's response to the growing pains of a new boat to be exceptional. Many free upgrades showed me that Hobie really cared about making things right in perfecting the Island.

I have no doubt that Hobie will use the same approach with the TI, so there is no need to worry. Sure, it may take a little while to work out all the bugs but I am confident it will happen.

Not a TI owner but Hobie have their warranty that gaurantees you a new modded replacement part/system if they consider it needs upgrading so you should be safe if it turns out it needs it.

Otherwise I can suggest that any new boat and its systems feels a bit strange when first using it, I have had Bicycle customers that are not totally happy with their new bike in the first weeks but once they get used to it are satisfied, it just feels different from their old bike.

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Fair Skies, Max.

Upset-Nerd;

We have own 1 Bravo 2 outbacks and 1 TI. We have about 28 hours under sail with the TI and it works great. We know that if we have a problem Hobie will make it right. They always have.

Larry & Denise

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“Remember life is short- eat dessert first.”
The world is 70% water – So that means we should spend 70% more time sailing than mowing lawns!
Larry

We don't have any problems that I'm aware of with our TI rudder, but it *does* behave differently from the Outback and Sport we were using just prior to taking delivery of the TI.

I should also note that the recommended cutaway on the rudder was done on the production line before our TI shipped.

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Mitch

2010 Tandem Island
2010 Revolution
Chesapeake Bay and Eastern Shore

My sailing blog
Our sailing videos

I'm still eagerly awaiting delivery of my TI, and whilst some of the rudder reports are disturbing, it's been very reassuring to hear from so many Hobie owners of Hobie's willingness to 'fix' things if they're not quite right. In fact, it's part of the reason I went with Hobie.

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Cheers, Max ● TI: the "Yella Terra" ● Website: www.MadYakker.com ● YouTube: madyakkermax

For those who now own a TI, I am somewhat jealous.

I live in New Jersey and the TI’s that once were available are all sold.

I had a chance to purchase one at the Paddlesport show hosted by the Jersey Paddler in March, but I decided to wait (“He who hesitates is lost.”)

I love my 08 Adventure Island, but it would have been nice to be able to sail that new Tandem Island this season at Sandy Hook Bay with a close companion .

Next year for sure.

Eddie,

Call Richard at Wolf's Marine (269) 926-1068 and see what you can work out. He has one in stock unsold.

Gary

My $0.02 is that if you have any ability to tinker, don't wait - life is short and these things are a blast - now - even with a few things to work out. I got one of the first shipment AI and TI boats into Annapolis, and have gone through the upgrades on both. The great thing about Hobie is their support and warranty programs. I have over a dozen boats, of virtually every flavor, from jet skis to offshore fishing and bluewater sailing, but my favorite by far is the cheap little rotomoulded TI - we use it nearly every day and cannot get over what a blast it is. We have bigger, faster, etc., but there is nothing like this thing. Yes, I have already spent a couple hours messing with design issues/upgrades, but missing this year on the water to get the upgrades in next year's model would have been a huge mistake. Go for it!

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Dave Fick
current boats:
'10 Hobie TI
'06 Hobie Getaway
'95 OK Scrambler (5)
'10 Walker Bay 310/Tohatsu 9.8
'07 Yam VX110 (2)
'08 Carolina 2590/Yam 115 (aquaculture)
'08 Judge 22/Honda 150
'05 World Cat DC250/Honda 150s
'08 Island Packet SP Cruiser

My TI works fine. I tied the knots a little better in the up and down handles, made sure the rudder fell into the correct spot and it has worked. There is a lot of good info here. I checked everything anyone has had a problem with and they seem to have been addressed by Hobie (i received my TI May 29th.) These boats are too much fun!

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Yellow TI

So far it seems from this thread the vote is:
Works fine = 3
Doesn't work fine = 1 (me)

I think there's at least 2 or 3 others in the "doesn't work fine" category as I can tell from other threads, but have not yet voted here.

You're far more likely to hear from those with a problem... others without problems are probably out having a blast on their TIs... while I have to wait till end July to get mine! (sob, sob)

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Cheers, Max ● TI: the "Yella Terra" ● Website: www.MadYakker.com ● YouTube: madyakkermax

Thanks for all the replies! I ended up buying it after all since the problem is in a component that's easy to replace so I guess I wouldn't actually gain anything in waiting for next years model.

I've made a couple of short trips this far and it seemed to work fine most of the time but I did lose starboard steering once in somewhat stronger winds so I can't really say my confidence in the rudder mechanism is all that great. I hope you all are right that Hobie will deliver a better designed mechanism combined with better manufacturing tolerances.