Hobie Outback Rudder line

I was wondering what the rudder line was made of. Mine seems to be fraying by the rudder and I don't want it to break because I'm not sure how easy it would be to replace it. Anyone have this problem before?.. and how do you go about replacing it? (this is a 07 model). Thanks in advance.

1/16" Spectra braid. Hobie part number 81023001.

Brian C

Brian... does that Spectra braid have a steel insert inside the braid? The yak has been in the water ONCE.. 4 days ago. There was a problem with it... because it would only turn left... (not right) and then it was adjusted. Two days later at work, someone was checking it out... and noticed the frayed spot. I guess the part that is fraying is from where it was connected to the screw or somewhere like that. I'll have to take it in.. to be repaired as I'm scared to take it back on the water.. just in case it breaks. I wonder how hard it would be to replace?

Thank you for giving me that info!!!

Pam

No. This is just the 12 strand spectra. And it's incredibly strong. If it really is fraying, there may be a jagged edge someplace that needs to be sanded down. I'm sure your shop can get you fixed up.

Brian C

Spectra is VERY strong. You can likely hang your body weight from this diameter (1.75 mm) which would have about a 400 lb breaking strength. The guys here think it will be absolutly no problem. We don't see many (any) failures in our boats we use here.

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

It does get pretty expensive to replace. I went to get repacement rudder lines at my local shop and found out that hobie only sells the whole kit, lines, tubes and fittings not just the string as a replacement. Cost me about $80.

Ummm... Not true. See the part number in my post above. That's the line, measured in per foot units that we get from Hobie. It's even in the 2006-07 kayak parts catalog.

Your dealer should be able to get it. We keep it in stock cause our demo boats see a bunch of use. And there's a lot of 5-6 year old boats starting to need some.

Brian C

Hay, All I know is what the dealer tells me. They've been a Hobie dealer with the cats and then yaks for years. So I have to assume that's the way it is. That's what I posted back in January. Maybe it was different then. Either way it was $80.

Maybe your dealer just didn't know. It's tough to keep up with all the parts sometimes, especially if you deal with a lot of different vendors. And new things are constantly coming out. I learn something new most days, and sometimes forget it by the next day.

You could always help them out by telling them about the bulk line. I'm sure they'd appreciate it.

Brian C

[quote="The Dog"
Maybe your dealer just didn't know. It's tough to keep up with all the parts sometimes, especially if you deal with a lot of different vendors.

You could always help them out by telling them about the bulk line. I'm sure they'd appreciate it.
Brian C[/quote]

Naaa, They are just a Hobie dealer since the 60's I'll just go off the island and find another dealer. Too many other fish in the sea.

There is also another source for the Spectra lines--your local (or online) tackle shop. One of the most popular braided fishing lines out there at present is PowerPro. If you look closely at the packaging, youwill see that PowerPro fishing line is "100% Spectra fiber".

Now finding that line in the size that Hobie uses (say about 400 lb test, accordiing to Matt Miller) in a tackle shop would be an entirely different matter, but at least it is nice to know that there are other sources out there.

_________________

Bulk spectra line has been in the catalog for a few years.

Have the dealer order # 81023001 / 22 cents a foot.

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

Apalach... a fellow yakker friend of mine (Larry- BigRed455) and I were talking about the fray on the back of my 2007 OB... he asked why couldn't the rudder lines be replaced with aircraft wire or line. (not sure what they call it). He said it would NEVER fray or break. Then he said.. why not Power Pro... laffin... Great minds think alike. lol I went out Sat and Sun with it like it is and it hasn't gotten any worst nor did it break. I'm wondering how hard is it to replace that one line. I might have to order 12-15' of it.. so I KNOW they will have it when I go in to get it replaced.

Yea--as Matt Miller indicated that is one tough line, especially in the size that Hobie uses. I had often thought about using some heavy duty plastic coated steel leader maerial, but I believe Hobie checked out all the other options and finally settled on the Spectra line. Since yours is fraying, you may have one of the metal grommet-like fittings that the line is passing thru that has a slight sharp edge that is causing the fraying. At least that is what others have reported. You might want to look into that, but my guess is that the Spectra, even though it is fraying, will still last you for some time.

Just to be on the safe side, however, you might want to call your dealer to see if they can re-install a fresh section since it is kind of a pain to get in there to do that, and I'm sure they can do it a lot easier and better than we can. Good luck.
Dick

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Hobie used to use a stainless cable for the rudder lines. They've been using Spectra for (correct me here, Matt) 6 years.

Brian C