Rudder modification/change/update

Looking through the forum posts I notice that there appears to have been a change to the rudder. At some point the control cord entry point for the lift/deploy cords appears to have changed. Can anyone at Hobie (Mr. Miller perhaps) confirm this change? and the reason for it?

I suspect it has to do with the added friction on the cords which is exacerbated if the rudder is in any position BUT 0 degrees. Is the modification as simple as the attached images suggest? Is this a recommended change?

Before:


After:

No change to your rudder is necessary or suggested. The area the line passes through keeps the lines in the center and steering balanced. Removal can cause the rudder to flop to one side.

There was a change done to this area to reduce wear (caused by excessive down control line tension on the Adventure Island), this then caused us to design an new rudder pin as a centering device. Not at all necessary for the other boat models. You don't need that amount of down line tension.

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

While I had my Kayak up on the saw horses I went through and lubricated the rudder deployment pivot shaft and the interior contact surfaces with a light film of Super Lube (grease version, very light bodied). I also did the rudder directional handle as well and took up some of the slack in the rudder actuation cords. WHAT a difference! Smooth as silk and worked great all day on the water. I have been using Super Lube on my Motorcycles for years, the stuff is great.

http://www.super-lube.com/synthetic-multipurpose-grease-ezp-49.html