Rudder/Tiller Arms

My boat has straight tiller arms but I have seen curved arms on some boats. Is there an advantage from one or the other? What models had curved, what models had straight, and why the change?

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Marty
1984 H16 Yellow Nationals Redline, "Yellow Fever"
Lake Martin, 'Bama.

They changed from the curved arms to straight arms so the mast can be trailered on the rear crossbar, sometime in the late '80s.
The curved inward tiller arms were supposed to make the inner one turn a tighter radius than the outer one in a turn, but I don't think it ever made much difference with that.

My boat is an '84 model and has the straight arms and I can only assume that they are original to the boat. I was just curious why some boats have straight and some have curved. Thanks for the response.

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Marty
1984 H16 Yellow Nationals Redline, "Yellow Fever"
Lake Martin, 'Bama.

The straight arms sit lower when the rudders are locked down which allows the mast to be raked back farther without the boom/blocks interfering with the rudder system.

I would guess there was also some manufacturing benefit since eliminating the bend reduces one process and also makes aligning the casting, tiller arm, and tiller connector easier during assembly.

sm

Straight arms were introduced at the same time as the rake-adjustable upper rudder castings. (1984 model year)

Thanks.

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Marty
1984 H16 Yellow Nationals Redline, "Yellow Fever"
Lake Martin, 'Bama.

New H14's all come with bent tiller arms and all H16's manufactured in Europe have bent tiller arms. I just sailed one recently and as far as I can tell it doesn't make a difference. As Hobie Cat Co. continues to standardize production, I believe the bent tiller arm is going to make a return to the H16.

I should clarify. When referring to "curve", I'm talking about the arms that have an upward curve to them. The ones on my boat are straight but they do curve inward a little, they don't curve up.

_________________
Marty
1984 H16 Yellow Nationals Redline, "Yellow Fever"
Lake Martin, 'Bama.