How Are the TI Rudder Controls Supposed to be Configured?

Hi Islanders,

I was wondering...

In what direction should the steering levers point when going straight, hard port, and hard starboard?

How many degrees should the steering levers travel?

How much slop should there be in the rudder when going straight?

I bought my '14 TI used and the rudder controls were not set up properly. I had full control to port, but the lever/tiller wouldn't turn the rudder all the way to starboard.

I started adjusting the rudder lines and levers and noticed that I could adjust lines so that the tiller would lock into hard starboard when pointing towards bow (0 degrees), lock into hard port when facing the stern (180 degrees), and straight ahead when facing port (90 degrees). This seemed logical, and I decided that's how the steering was supposed to be, except that there seemed to be too much slop in the rudder when heading forward, all done in my garage. The sloppy rudder would force the TI to turn up wind if I fell out... If I tighten the lines, then I lose the 180 degrees of travel in the steering lever and can only lock in a hard starboard or hard port (or neither if I tighten both equally after the initial setting described above).

I searched the forum and found this thread helpful http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=53903. I also looked over the user manual and assorted pdfs, but I can't find the answer to my question.
There does not seem to be a tensioner that would solve this problem, if it is a problem at all.

Can anybody tell me how is this tiller supposed to be? I'm thinking about rigging up a bungee to take up the control line slack when heading straight, but give enough to allow locking into either full port or starboard.

_________________
-Chris

Answered my own question. I adjusted the rudder line more and now can lock the tiller to either port or starboard and there is much less slop in the lines when headed straight

_________________
-Chris

Great news.

Basics to review...

Handle points inwards on either left or right side steering. It is ergonomics primarily, how it best fits your relaxed hand. If there is a stop on either side... Swing hard left and hard right. Center (straight) position is (+/-) half way between. Lines should be snug, so adjust out slack with handle in the straight (center of left/right swing) position and rudder centered.

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