i11s steering cable update

I have been using my i11s regularly in salt water since March but I never bend the steering tubes as I store it hanging under a carport (not fully inflated but enough to hold it's shape) and I transport it folded in half in a small SUV...I do have the sailing rudder on it.

Recently I noticed the steering was getting more difficult to operate. So before heading out to troll for chinook (basically 5 hours of dodging powerboats while dragging herring along the bottom.. ) I lubricated the cables at the back (turn full left, spray cable with WD40, turn full right, spray that cable, repeat so it gets on the cables and into the end of the tube), then I loosened the steering handle and sprayed inside the unit. The steering is again working smooth and easy, just as it was when brand new. cheers, roger

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2019 Outback360 'Fish Retriever'
2016 i11s 'Go Cougs!'
2012 Oasis and 2012 PA12 (moved on but not forgotten...)

Hmm, I was told not to use WD40, instead a dealer recommended surfboard wax on the steering cables. First few applications worked great; now it's starting to get tight.

I've never had any issues with using WD40 on anything. in situations where a lubricating oil/wax could attract dust/dirt and make things worse you need to be careful what you use that isn't the case here.

any chance the dealer just happened to sell recommended surfboard wax?

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2019 Outback360 'Fish Retriever'
2016 i11s 'Go Cougs!'
2012 Oasis and 2012 PA12 (moved on but not forgotten...)

Haha no, it was general advice on another forum. I'm starting to think that our cable housing is different from the hard-bodied hobies, and perhaps surf wax is not a good product...other users swear by it, and it's working well on my up-down cables.

I'll give the WD40 a try, after I patch up that leak! Thanks.

I have 2 Hobie i11s kayaks (purchased June 2016) that have had the same problem. Both lost left turn steering after being on the water for a short period of time. (One only 5 minutes) I saw a tangle of string through the hole on the steering disc. I opened the steering disc (After watching the video of line replacement for the recall in January 2016, that showed how to open the disc) and found that the line that controlled left hand steering had failed, apparently sneaking its way out the hole inside the steering disc and was laying free inside the disc. I place the line into the channel, thru the hole, and tied a knot in the line to match the right side that remained intact. I would like to have a permanent fix, (such as tie a bead etc into the knot) so this line cannot escape thru the hole inside the disc. Working with retailer, I am told I need to send both my kayaks back to Hobie. Can you tell me what repair would be made. I have both kayaks working now, but don't understand why or how the knot slipped thru the hole inside the steering disc or trust the knot to hold the line. Any explanation or insight would be appreciated.Thank you.