EZ Loc rudder's won't stay down

My 2006 EZ Loc rudders won't stay down. They also don't always stay up when moving the boat. The nuts are tight but I don't see any way to adjust these rudders.

I was thinking about drilling a hole through the rudders in the down position to insert the pins that came with the boat. Of course forgetting they're in would be a hazard. The problem is worse sailing off the wind. I'm surprised there aren't more people with this problem? I guess I've done more sailing on the '06 than most? Anyone have an extra set of old style cam rudder castings?

Not a normal issue with the EZ Loc rudders.

We have a ton of boats on the water with this system. First came out on the Bravo years ago. This is not a typical problem we have been hearing of.

Are you missing a cam? There are cams that are the the housing cheeks that insert into the indents. Otherwise, if the system is left partially up over a long period, the housing may distort, but I have not heard a problem keeping them down... just up.

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

Thanks for your prompt response Matt. I don't know if I'm missing a cam. The system has two "outdents" designed into the housings that sandwich the rudder "indents." These outdents and the housings are all one piece, and that is the whole system.

I often find the rudders sitting in the half down position on the sand, perhaps the plastic housings are distorting from that. It is also consistently very warm here which may make the plastic softer?

I've also broken two of the soft rubber tendons that are a part of the tiller system. They break right where the two screws meet.

Thanks again,
Han

Han,

Yes, that will distort the housing if the rudders are not up or down all the way, but left half way during storage. This forces the cheeks outwards and holds them there. The plastic is slow to return to the original shape if left that way for long periods. It is possible that the housing can return to the original shape if left un-loaded (all the way up or down) for a period of time. Otherwise, we can send a couple replacement housings.

There is a "Up-Loc pin" included with these systems. Perhaps yours was older and didn't get it, but I thought we included with all of them. This pin is to be inserted through the housing and rudder blade to hold the rudder up during storage and trailering.

There is a kit available EZ LOC - UP-LOCK PIN KIT #50314001

Tendons - We were having a supplier/materials problem with tendons and have replaced the tendons with a hardware connection in this year's boat production (kit 1957), but we also changed the tendon replacements to a different material. It is now a pair of fiber reinforced tubing. Same replacement part number listed in the catalog (37561011).

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

Matt,
Thanks, I'll see if the old housings come back into shape.

Yes I did get the pins and I will use them to keep the rudders up.

Thanks,
Han

I have the older style rudders that are far superior to the 16s in that sand and junk don't seem to get caught up in it. Which I believe is the same as the 18. My boat stays on the beach and always launches from the beach. Sailed a wave down in the keys for 4 days and it was a blast perfect solo boat. My only problem was the rudders (new EZ loc system) This was when we were beached. They would fall down when we were lifting the boat and moving them around on the dolly. I am looking for a used wave for a second boat but really have trouble going to the new system. Looks like sand and stuff would get caught up in the system and add to the wear factor.

Now Hobie Cat spent alot of effort developing this new system to be better. If you used the system not knowing how the old system works, like new people new to hobies, first time rental etc. I see it as very simple system, possibly heavier. they seem like zero maintence, possibly shims but the if the rudders develop memory if they are not in the full up or down position is a problem for boats sitting on the beach. With rudders up the wind will move them around so 3/4 down in the sand works well. They are easy to take off and i do that alot but the plastic rudders do develop nylon scratchies when exposed to the sun (2003)
Which makes handling a bear. One day will get covers.

Opinions on people that have tried both systems?

The key to me is when beginners sail with the EZ Loc rudder systems... They are actually able to get them down, then the sailing experience is a good one.

With the old cam systems, the rudder cams would stick down or the sailors would not be able to make them lock down. They would sail around with this incredible weather helm and then "hate" sailing because it is so hard.

The rudders staying up is a minor issue in comparison. Just use the pin through the blade if you have to or only drag the boat forwards.

There is MUCH less to go wrong with an EZ LOC system. Next to no wear issues, No maintenance they are lighter weight too.

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

I have used both systems and they both have benefits. I like the older system for the minimal rudder housing. The new, deeply grooved, plastic housing creates a lot of drag in the water. I also like the adjustability of the old system.

The new rudder system is much lighter weight (like Matt said) and very easy to teach new people to use. They can literally look at it and understand it. Also there are really no moving parts, springs, cams, etc. And it always engages!

After several months? of keeping the new rudders either up or down (and never in between) and pinning them whenever they are up. I still have trouble with pre - release sailing down wind and rudder drop when sliding the boat around on the beach. I often have to launch the boat with the pins in and then attempt to yank them while sailing.

I think I need to replace these housings and then make sure they are never sitting in the 3/4 position.

Before you replace them...

How about removing the rudder blade and clamping the housing more narrow for a period? Check that there is not something prebenting the bolt from making better adjustment.

Seems they will always drop from the up position without much banging around. That is because they have to be able to drop easily. Otherwise it took a lot of effort pulling down the tiller arm to work.

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

Plastic housing...

Matt,

I saw that the Wave has a new way of attaching the crossbar to the tillers. Is it possible to retrofit a 2006 GetAway with these parts?

Will this upgrade be coming to Getaways?

Thanks

The 2007 tiller connector system is available as a kit for use on older boats.

Kit #1957 $59.95

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

Matt,

I just bought a 2006 Hobie Getaway. While sailing it this weekend I had two problems:

1. Occasionally the rudders would come up just slightly creating a "weather helm" condition.

2. The rudders wouldn't stay up when I beach the boat - I had to resort to using the pins.

Today, when I looked a the rudders closely, I noticed that the "v" protrusions on the casings were misaligned and never completely seating into the "v" indentions on the rudders - something is misaligned. They are off by over a quarter inch so that they never firmly seat - this is the case on BOTH rudders. This also explains both of the problems that I was having.

Clearly, they were meant to be aligned up to seat correctly. Is there an adjustment that can be made to make these "v" protrusions/indentions align? I need to get this fixed.

Just this weekend, one of the rudders dropped unexpectedly when we were in the surf, got hit by a wave and snapped the plastic connector to the cross bar - what a pain! Especially since we were 11 miles from home. Luckily we were able to McGiver a solution to get us home.

Help

Rudder lock down issue? We may have some rudders that have been drilled slightly off (a fraction). A new blade could be provided, but there is a quick in-the-field fix that can get you sailing ...

Misalignment of the cheek cams may be remedied by un-bolting the rudder. Lock the cheek cam position in a rudder indent (up or down). Align the bolt hole as close as possible and mark (circle) the bolts proper hole location. Move the rudder to the opposite (up / down) position. Align the rudder bolt hole once again. If the optimum location is clearly the same as marked... drill. Likely the hole will have to be elongated only slightly.

This fix will have no adverse effect on the rudders use / performance.

EZ LOCs do have minimal Up-position holding power. This is why the pin is provided. If the rudders are left for long periods in a mid-position, this issue becomes worse.

Tightening the rudder bolt can increase up-position and down position tension.

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

Matt

I removed the bolts, marked the holes and drilled them out thus elongating them in a couple of directions. Now the "v"s go into the indents at both the top and the bottom. Additionally, I tightened up the bolt on each rudder and this seemed to give the rudders more up "staying power".

One thing was unexpected but predictable - the tiller coming out of the rudders now goes down an extra 1/2 inch towards the hulls. There is still room for the metal posts from the cross bars to move but it is close to the hull. I'm hoping that this extra down movement translates into getting the rudders a little farther forward and thus removing most of the "weather" helm.

Great Suggestions - Thanks!

P.S. I post the results in a couple weeks when I get back from my next sailing trip...