New rudder

Any word when the new rudder system will be available??

Check Matt's reply - viewtopic.php?f=75&t=33895&p=135426#p135426



Base on what Matt Miller posted above it seems it'll probably be in the middle or the latter half of this year.

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H@mmer
"Intelligence is nothing without imagination"

My understanding was that it was expected to be sometime during your Spring - which means within the next 3 months.
Like everyone else I am really looking forward to it!!! The current rudder arrangement is barely workable and likely to result in all manner of mishaps caused by loss of (rudder) control

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Mickey
2016 AI Hibiscus
purchased NEW Nov 2021 - My 5th
Adventure Island Sailing since 2008

Can't wait for the rudder upgrade... How's testing going? Any ETA in sight?

Does anyone know if they're redesigning the rudder for AI too?

Thanks

The word on the street is that the new rudder design will be available for free for TI owners, but will cost for AI's owners.
After my maiden voyage the other day, I really hope that this rumour is not the case. You wouldn't rate the current 2011 rudder as a design improvement over the previous model. A couple of issues,

1. Mine was clunking. Through the handle ( nice handle by the way ) I could feel definite clunking which is hard to describe but it certainly wasn't smooth. Any thoughts anyone ?

2. Also if you currently roof mount your AI like this.....




.................be aware that with the newer model, you may have to reverse your procedure so that the bow rests on the ground rather than the stern due to the extended length of the rudder pin connection.

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

Just traded in my two 2009 AI's for a new 2011 Dune TI.
It has the new rudder, looks stronger and easier to deal with.
Can't wait to try it.

kermic--sounds great. Looking forward to some pictures.

Slaughter--you have the T&S rudder. Does it have the 3.25" (8.3 cm) pin or the longer pin, like on a TI? Will your AI be able to retrofit the new rudder when it becomes available?

I would think you could still load your AI the same way, but the rudder would be stowed UP.

Keith

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

My dealer just emailed me and said that the 'first' 50 replacement TI rudders
had gotten to Hobie from the factory. Hobie was going to start sending out
the rudders ASAP. Supposedly the next batch was due fairly soon.

Keith,
The 11 AI shares exactly the same rudder assembly as the TI so I can't see any difficulties with a retrofit of the new rudder.
A problem with the '11 AI rudder assembly that I have noticed is that because of the increased length of the assembly part of it is always in the water. This affects the tracking of the AI in kayak mode when paddling. I like to paddle with the rudder up when conditions allow. I had trouble keeping it from turning to SB until I realised that the position of the steering handle affects tracking even with the rudder retracted. It's because the whole rudder housing aft of the rudder pin turns and on the AI some of that is underwater causing a subtle but noticeable effect on tracking.
I'll be interested to see if that changes with the newer design.

Slaughter,
I'll have to disagree with you!
I found the '11 AI rudder much more responsive. It eliminates the problem of the sail overpowering the rudder and with the stronger rudder pin shouldn't be as prone to breaking.
There are a couple of negatives. It does make it harder to load because of the longer housing and it does affect tracking even when the rudder blade is retracted.
I suspect the new design won't help much with loading.

Slaughter - i haven't heard that rumour before & understood from a prior response from Matt Miller that the 2011 AI (& 2010 if it had the larger TI rudder) would also have their rudder replaced at no charge.
It would make no sense & be quite dicriminatory to AI owners not to do so.

I am really really happy to hear that it is being rolled out now & can't wait to get it

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Mickey
2016 AI Hibiscus
purchased NEW Nov 2021 - My 5th
Adventure Island Sailing since 2008

Here is matt's quote:


viewtopic.php?f=75&t=31483&hilit=TI+AI+new+rudder

I'm interested in the new rudder as well, I hope it's a big success!

I hadn't seen that post before thanks JollyGreen and Mickey. The comment I heard, and stated, was from a distributor and hoped it wasn't true.

Keith - Mine is the 2011 with the longer pin. The photo I posted is of my 2007 AI and if you load the new one in the same way, at that angle shown, the whole weight of the AI is resting on the rudder pin connection, where as the 2007 model is resting on the bottom rear of the hull.

Stringy - I suppose I was a bit harsh and my comments are a bit premature. I've only had one outing and was p'd off with the clunking and the fact that even under light winds, around 10 knots, the AI was turning into the wind. But today I had a look and found that when I pull the rudder down, the rudder itself doesn't lock into the locking notch ( for want of a better word ). So I'd say that while I was out on my maiden voyage, even though the rudder bungie was connected, the rudder wasn't locked in and was therefor 'clunking' and turning in. Is there any point in keeping tension on the 'down' cables by cleating them if you are going to bungie it anyway ? To cleat or not to cleat ?

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

Slaughter,
I would cleat first and see how it goes. Experiment with different cleat tensions. I've had no problems with the AI's rudder popping out when cleated so I haven't resorted to the using the temp bungee fix. It should only be needed in very heavy conditions if at all.
You need to make sure your rudder is dropping into the slot correctly. Check the drum bolt is adjusted so that there is no binding (look at the TI's numerous rudder posts)