Rudder tension

I have a 2015 outback, when I got it the rudder steering cable tension was too tight so I adjusted it to. It was fine till this past week when I went fishing and the tension was back too tight, I am assuming cause the higher temperatures it tightened up. Is this normal for the steering cables to relax and contract with the changes in temperatures?

More or less. It is actually the boat expanding and contracting with air and water temperature, affecting line tension.

Roadrunner is spot on about the hull expanding as it warms up.
A classic example is my 2013 PA-14.......I retrofitted the Hobie "rudder tension BOA" for exactly this reason.
When I first start on a cool morning, I need to take the "slack" out of the rudder line.....as the morning warms up I need to "relax" the rudder tension so the steering is easier to turn.
Once on my trailer, I always take all the rudder tension off the BOA and drop my rudder from the "up" position.

Spectra line does not stretch due tho the composition of the material.

I do recall that on my 2010 Outback, the same thing happened as the hull warmed up, but since it did not have a rudder BOA feature, there was nothing I could adjust.
If your rudder is very hard to turn with a hot hull, my only suggestion is to adjust the spectra line tension back on the rudder, when the hull is hot and "then you live with a looser rudder" when the hull is cooler/cold.

_________________
Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

When the line is adjusted tighter does that help the handle stay in position better so you can keep hand off the lever longer without constant trimming.

My handle 'wanders" more now than when new, just wanted to check before fiddling around tightening it

Yes, but if you own an Outback, or in general other Hobie models, installing the sailing rudder will improve tracking too.

_________________
Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

Thanks for all the help. My thinking is to just keep a screwdriver handy to adjust as I go. It had gotten so tight that it wore a small groove in the plastic inserts, so I want to keep from damaging the rudder system. It's not a big deal, after 8 years of kayak fishing and owning several brands and styles of kayaks, this is by far the best kayak out there. Thanks again guys for the help!

To clarify, Spectra does not stretch in our application, certainly not due to temperature variation, and theoretically only up to about 3% under load (not that the Hobie rudder system is high load application). Spectra is made by Honeywell and its operating characteristics are identified in this link (look under "sensitivity"):
https://www.honeywell-spectra.com/appli ... hing-line/

According to this next link, Dyneema is a similar but different product that stretches about twice as much as Spectra. Hobie does not use this product. Nevertheless, they are both considered to be low stretch products.
http://www.coastalwindsports.com/WhoseLine.html

In the world of paragliding, I have no knowledge or experience. In the world of Hobie rudder systems, rudder line tension is sensitive to hull expansion and contraction and I agree with Dr.SteelheadCatcher that Spectra rudder line expansion or shrinkage is not a detectable factor.

BTW, you can relieve any rudder line tension out of the water or during storage simply be moving your rudder to one side or the other. This slacks the rudder directional lines.

I would recommend adjusting the rudder tension to a moderate tension setting. This should allow for hull expansion/contraction with temperature changes, and this should solve your rudder line tension issue.

_________________
Howie Strech
Parts & Accessories Product Manager
Hobie Cat USA

So I found out part of my problem today. I went to adjust the rudder tension, I got it set right and as I went to tighten the screws, this would put tension back on the rudder lines. This may be why last time I adjusted it it tightened back up some. We'll see.