help with rudder issue

I recently purchased a pre-owned Hobie PA14, it's a 2010 model. I've repaired the steering as the previous owner used what looks to be bicycle brake wire in the system and made it incredibly difficult to turn.

I purchased the spectra line and fixed that, but now I've noticed that the rudder is hitting the hull center when turning. I attempted to tie off the rudder line so that it doesn't 'drop' all the way to hit the hull, but now I it doesn't seem to 'track' straight (no current, no wind), and i keep having to correct and counter-steer.

1st, is the rudder supposed to hit the hull out of water? Does it fix itself in the water?

2nd, is there a skeg option to 'add' to these older hobies?

I do have the steering upgrade on-order , but I am unsure if I have the wrong rudder on this kayak.

Just an update, in case anyone is reading- I've replaced the rudder with the upgraded / larger rudder- the exact same issue happens- I'm curious if the kayak has deformed in some way that's causing the rudder to hit.

The rudder and complete assembly is the same as my 2013 PA-14....in fact I upgraded to the large rudder shortly after I bought it to improve "tracking" while down rigger fishing.

I have never experienced the rudder "hitting the hull center" while turning.

It sounds like the plastic housing the rudder fits into, with the stainless steel spring that keeps the rudder deployed, is broken and not keeping the rudder from going too far forward???
I think the Hobie P/N is 84500201, rudder housing under hull......this is an inexpensive part (under $10) and you might check with your Hobie dealer.

When the rudder is retracted, the blade does hit the underside, parallel to the hull.

No, there is no "Tracking Skeg" upgrade for the older PA's.

_________________
Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

Thanks so much- I tried the 'fly with a sledgehammer' approach on this one , and I'm glad I did...

I believe I had a pandora's box of issue caused by the previous owner hitting the rudder and bending the rudder's axle (if that's what it's called, the part that goes up into the rudder steering wedge)... It looked as though it was snapped off and re-welded at some point at the wrong angle... causing the 'old' steering cables to snap--- which now explains why he moved to bicycle cables instead of the spectra. Replacing the metal housing 'fixed' the issue and the now larger size rudder no longer hit the hull. The issue then was the new style housing required the new rudder wedge with the improved version. I said to heck with it and went ahead and did the entire steering upgrade at the newly marked-down price ($99!) , I would assume Hobie is clearing out some old stock... good for me! I now have a fully working system with the upgraded rudder housing, larger rudder, upgraded 'new style' steering upgrade... and I can't wait to put it in the water- I can tell now how much I had really been fighting the rudder alignment all this time.

I have a new issue now with a scupper hole leak where I yanked it up stairs on the cart (bad move on my part) - once that's fixed, I'll give it a good shake-down cruise.

Thanks for the feedback- maybe at some point someone else may have an old hobie and run into something similar- if so, I hope this article helps them---
cost of repair was really just $29 for the rudder wedge and pin, however, I spent $29 on a larger rudder and $99 on the steering upgrade kit, so all-in-all WAY cheaper than the cheapest repair on my old bay boat.

Loving it.

Glad to hear you have it ship shape. Hobie didn't add the reinforcements to the scuppers until the 2012 model, so be careful stressing the scuppers with the cart. Welcome to the PA family and the addiction!

_________________
Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

Most likely, the rudder had to have been extended and the hull dropped on the ground in order to bend/break the shaft!
Nice to know you figured out what the root cause was.

I would abandon using a scupper cart for your 2010 PA-14 as SRAces noted, and go to something like the C-tug or equal.....one main advantage is you do not need to turn the hull 90° in insert the cart.

Good luck fishing!

_________________
Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR