Hotstick failure

I have the Hobie Hotstick tiller extension. It has not been used very much at all, maybe a dozen times since new. I dropped my last one in the lake never to be seen again. Anyway, this new one has cracked lengthwise on the inner section and will no longer function as intended. It's probably my fault for twisting it too hard to lock it or something, but dang, it's not like I put it in a vise and twisted it. The one I had before was used in exactly the same manor for many years and never failed. Anybody else have a hotstick fail in this way? I am now just considering going with the standard fiberglass extended tiller. What are you guys using?

_________________
1990 "Formula 1" H16 (# 009)

Bob Edmunds (owner of Arribba Performance Products) can probably fix your Hotstick by replacing the inner section.

Usually, a failure like that is the result of dropping the tiller at speed and having it bend sharply backwards.

Most racers use the stock tiller on the 16.

I don't remember dropping it at high speed, but whatever the cause I was a bit surprised when I found it was cracked. I think I may just try a resin repair and use it full length for now.

_________________
1990 "Formula 1" H16 (# 009)

I've had two newer Arriba hot sticks split over the last five years in just the same manner. I have an older one, probably 20 years or more, that I still use and am currently using after my last Arriba failed. The older one is clearly heavier and thicker. These days no manufacturer can afford to have something that lasts forever. I'm guessing the new sticks are lighter, thinner and/or outsourced to China or something.

Actually, the newer sticks are built by Hobie 20 sailor Bob Edmonds in Little Rock, AR. The production facility (a large metal building) is literally in his back yard, a few steps from his house.

However, he does not make the inner part of the stick. I'm not sure where he sources it, but it arrives as a pultruded peice that just needs to be cut to length.

The outer sleeves are made in his facility in a very slick process that involves a mandrel, pre-preg carbon / fiberglass, a silicone "condom" that goes over the whole thing (it's what gives the outside it's texture) - then the whole thing is baked under pressure in an oven.

The sticks are assembled in his facility. It's what he does in the winter - makes about 1000 sticks in a few months, then ships them out as orders come in.

He's also very keen to keep his customers happy - if you have a problem with one of the newer (like in the last 5 years) sticks, contact him and he'll make it right.

+1
As told to us by Mr. Edmunds during a tour of his facility, he is a Hobie sailor first and is especially happy to deal directly with the end customer.
http://www.arribastick.com/

_________________
Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

In all fairness one of my newer sticks cracked as I desperately held onto it while going over the side and it banged it on the deck. On the other hand, I don't see how anyone can sail a beachcat and never fall or be ejected. All I'm saying is that these hotsticks could be a little more durable. Not sure why the inner tube needs to be hollow anyway. After purchasing two and getting a third for a birthday gift at $150 a pop I kinda wished I had bought the carbon fiber version from the git go. My next tiller will be the stock Hobie solid rod.

Even the stock tiller is hollow. I've shattered a couple when sailing downwind in a blow, steering with it held against the tiller crossbar - a wave hit the end and jerked it out of my hand, bending it until it delaminated.

From my Tiger experience, I now just let the tiller trail the boat going downwind in a blow. Kinda weird to see it skipping along behind the boat, but it really doesn't slow you down when you've got that much power to burn.

I have a fairly new one that just keeps spinning (wont lock). Can this be fixed?

Inspect the inner rod closely. Twist it a little. You will probably find a fracture as we have been discussing here. Once it fractures it becomes out-of-round and either won't telescope or won't lock.

I have used extentable paint roller sticks for years, they last about 2 years but at 20 bucks a pop its not bad.

_________________
06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.