Tandem Island steering handle screw broken

Hello everybody,

I used to follow this Forum when we bought our first Island (Adventure) and I'm still a happy owner of a Tandem, here in Italy.

A couple of friends are making a tour of Italy for a Charity, on a brand new Tandem Island (last year model).

Yesterday however, on a very quiet day with hardly any wind or waves, the steering hand screw just snapped!

Did anyone ever had a similar issue and/or ideas of why it could have happened and tips to avoid it to ever happen again?
Also, it might be complicated to get an original replacement where they are.
Is there a way to find exact size and details of the screw to see if a local hardware store has one?

(I'll try to add a couple of pics they've sent as soon as I remember how to!)

thanks!

The long screw for the risers has a possibility of side loads that can damage them. We changed to a larger screw this year to help.

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

I had similar issue. Tiller handle screw broke off on my 2016 Hobie TI....while sailing offshore....Luck for me the TI has two steering positions. This was with the risers that add extra side loads.

Found hidden corrosion at break point. The broken screw took a bit of work to remove (broke deep into receiving hole).
See photo below.

I have switched back to the stock tiller (no riser / less side loads) and now swap out the tiller handle stainless steel screw (both) on my TI every 1 to 2 years for safety.

I am also moving to 316 stainless for next swap out.

I do sail a lot in coastal conditions (salt water).

I am thinking of adding a simple sacrificial anode plate to the stern to lesson corrosion on the TI (rivets on the AKAs are also taking a hit....).

Hobie TI Tiller Handle Screw Failure by Jim Powers, on Flickr

_________________
Jim
Hobie TI 2022 - Offshore rig - Outboard - having fun!
Hobie TI 2021 - Offshore rig - Outboard - sold
Hobie TI 2016 - Offshore rig - Outboard - sold
Hobie Kona 2014
Hobie AI 2015 - sold
Hobie Rev 13 2014 - sold
Hobie Outback - 2008 - sold

thanks a lot for the answers!

I could see them, right away, but I'm out of town and on my mobile I had troubles logging in to be forum to answer!

They've found someone with tools to help them fix it and they were back on the water again pretty quickly!

I just had the screw break on my 2017 TI with risers. Fortunately i was not offshore, and I had a mate in the front who could take over steering. Unfortunately, I lost the handle (with knob), and the riser overboard.

On the same outing, I noticed that the screw was little loose, but I had no driver at hand to tighten it. think I might have prevented this by putting loctite on the screws (I haven't gotten the broken end out of its socket yet, so I can't say there wasn't loctiite--that job might be tough)

Matt, you mention that this year you moved to a larger screw to prevent breakage of tiller handles with risers. This seems as if would require replacing a number of parts: The screw itself, the handle the screws go through, conceivably the riser, and the steering crank into which the screw screws.

Can you provide part numbers for the parts that are different with the new design? Does Hobie intend to offer a deal for retrofit?

Do note that for a sacrificial anode to provide galvanic corrosion protection, it must be in electrical contact with the components being protected.

Peter

88991284 STEERING CRANK, REAR, TI 2020
88991420 STEERING POST AI/TI ISLAND '20

88991320 STEERING HNDL TI '20-BT

84619001 STEERING RISER

8030217 SCREW 1/4-20 X 2-1/2 FHMS-P NY

Not all are set up to sell yet, so a dealer would have to ask the parts desk for pricing.

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

Thanks, Matt 1/4 20 ought to be a stout enough screw to eliminate the problem.
I am impressed by how fast you got back with an answer. Looks like busy times at Hobie. Online sellers list many (most?) parts as backordered at factory.

Very busy. The orders keep coming! We missed about two months and have made up the sales in the past 4 months!

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

I just put steering knobs on my 2014 TI.
2 pack steering knob spinners from Amazon for $8.50 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4V5D8PH
installed with 2 1/4-20 x 2-1/2" screws & 4 SS washers from ACE for $2.56
Total cost $11.06 for both vs $44+ tax & shipping for 2 of PN 88991355 from Hobie.

Thanks for this! I read about it earlier this month and sure enough yesterday in 15 knot, heavy seas the rear handle broke off, thankfully in my hand. I was certainly pushing it (the knob and conditions) and thankfully had another person in the front seat to take over. I have a 2019 TI.

Did you have to tap the hole for the new bolt? I still have to figure out how to get the broken one out but it was my last sail of the season so have 9 months to sort it out.