Trailering with Rudders on

So i have never traveled anywhere with the rudders still on the boat for fear that they will become unlocked, go into down position, and drag on the ground. However i tried it for the first time and it went fine. The Mast pretty much kept the tiller crossbar from coming up and dropping the rudders into down position.

My question is: is it bad for the rudders at all to trailer the boat with them still on the boat. it seems like they might get pretty beat up bouncing around alot while on the road.
I would like to just trailer the boat with the rudders on. it saves room in my car and time getting them set up on the boat

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1971 H16 (sail #1768)

To all of you on the Hobie Forum... I love you guys!!!
thanks for all the help!

Depends how far you have to go. If you've got a couple of miles to get to the lake, screw it, leave em on. Otherwise I'd take em off. I believe you are correct in thinking that bouncing down the road will cause some premature wear.

how bout 25-30miles

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1971 H16 (sail #1768)

To all of you on the Hobie Forum... I love you guys!!!
thanks for all the help!

On my 18, which we've had since 1985, we've always left the rudders on, even for trips of 100's of miles. I've got what I consider to be a solid system for keeping the rudders firmly held in place (which includes a webbing strap that wraps around the tiller arm and hull and insures that the tiller stays held down).

That said, on my newer boat, which has the quick release (20-style) tiller connectors, I take the rudders off since it's pretty quick and easy to do so.

sm

I've had my '83 H16 now for 6 years and only had the rudders off when doing maintenance and shaving them down to try and get rid of the vibration. When the rudders are up and locked in place, the tiller crossbar is just behind the aft frame beam. It is very easy to take up the slack of the jib sheet and wrap it around both the beam and crossbar. That way, you are sure that the rudders will not be able to drop. As far as wear goes, you may get just about as much removing and replacing the rudder pins over and over again.

Just use a bungee cord where the tiller crossbar meets up with each rudder tiller bar, and other end of the bungee to the tramp lacing. Towed by boat 100s of miles, no problems. I also use some hideously bright colored flag on the end of the mast...hopefully keep some idiot from trying to impale his car on the mast.

It's the way I trailer mine. However, I do bungee the tiller arm to the rear crossbar. Have been considering getting the H20 tiller assembly. I'm also only about two miles from the beach.



Also Know that I replaced the gudgeons last year after having the boat for six years. The furthest I've trailered it from Long Beach is San Diego. (100 Miles???)

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Happy Sailing,

David

nice boat david...

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1971 H16 (sail #1768)

To all of you on the Hobie Forum... I love you guys!!!
thanks for all the help!

Tie the tiller cross bar to the rear frame cross bar snug but not really tight
bungee cord is great . I have trailered thousands of miles and never had one rudder fall down. I worry more about someone hitting the rear of the boat more. At Edisto Island Pier someone backed under the Hobie hulls and lifted the whole boat about 2' into the air with the trailer still on. Of course the idiot drove off however no damage to boat trailer or tow vehicle. Are Hobies tough or what.
Gary