Is my rudder alignment right??

I have an '84 H18 -just got it. In order to make the rudders paralell I have to adjust each end of the tiller cross bar out about 1-1/2" to 2". Does this sound right? Thanks guys.

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1984 Hobie 18

::::Laughing:::: not AT you, but hopefully WITH you.

Check the "ackerman angle" on the tiller arms. They should be angled inward NOT outward.

My bet is you have them on backwards...... if you look back in the postings on this site, you will see that many of us have done it.

Switch them side to side and everything should true up.

Stephen

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If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

Ok I am new to this so not sure what the "Ackerman Angle" is. What do I swap? The rudders? I bought the boat two weeks ago and this is the way it came so I assumed it was right.

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1984 Hobie 18

Just read Matts 2003 post on the Ackerman Angle. Learn someting new everyday. I guess I will swap the rudders and see if that makes the difference. Right now if the rudders are dead straight the tiller arms are also dead striaght. I thought that was a good thing - but it seems the tiller arms should be pointing slightly inward. I'll see if this works.

Gotta admit this is a blast. This community is a lot of help. I've been fiddlin' with this boat all day and finding a lot of little things the previous owner had done wrong (or his own way) and been fixing them.

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1984 Hobie 18

There is a very good Hobie 18 sailor in your area. His name is Damon Linkus.

Go to www.thebeachcats.com and shoot him an E-Mail. He is the site administrator.

Hopefully you and he can get together on the water and he can shorten your learning curve.

Stephen

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If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

Thank you! Will do.

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1984 Hobie 18

Ok I swapped rudders, not gudgeons. No difference in rudders or need to extend adjusting ends of the tiller cross bar arm out by about 2 inches on both ends in order to make the rudders parralell. Not getting this.

Regardless of which side the rudders are on if the rudder is straight the tiller arm points right down the middle of its respective hull. Neither angle in or out when the rudder is straight. The tiller cross bar does not appear to have been cut.

I am beginning to wonder if I have 2 Right hand or 2 Left hand rudder/tiller arms.

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1984 Hobie 18

Very odd. ALL Hobie 18's should have asymmetrical upper arms / castings to create ackerman. In any case... if you can adjust out to make the rudders parallel, it will work fine. You actually want just a little toe-in to accommodate slop in the rudder system.

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