Matt, et al, - M20 tiller connector on 21SE issue - question

So I salvaged another H21SE that was going to the dump. It was actually quite a "salvage" - on it there were good rudders, etc. and was set up with the Miracle 20 tiller connectors in great shape. Awesome! Need those, for sure.

However, I noticed that the hiking stick connection had been damaged pretty good - no problem, I'll use my other one that's new. Now I know why the old one was damaged: When pushing hard over, the crossbar that connects the two tillers will line up parallel (enough) with those tiller arms and let the whole assembly rotate over, flopping upside down. ("Huh - not doing something right - must need something to keep adjustment nut from turning; teflon tape to start"). Uh, nope - this last weekend they still flopped over. Ugh! At extremes you can't use the hiking stick as this locks everything up and is, I'm sure why the previous user had destroyed the connector.

I'm missing SOMETHING here as this looks way too well engineered to not work. These are the #1953 upgrade. I'm going to fuss with it again in the next couple of days, and before the weekend. I read the instructions and will replace the bungee cords, but was kind of doubtful that would be it (maybe too light/old?). Really a pain in a tack and happens almost every time.

Any insights here?

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ChuckC
H21SE- 408

Are your rudders on backwards? The tillers tubes should point slightly inwards and towards the mast, not outwards beyond the shrouds. Also check your toe. When pointed straight ahead both rudders should be parallel.

Yup, that's lined up and fine. It's strictly the new joints that cause the system to bind.

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ChuckC
H21SE- 408

For the future/posterity: Apparently other boats do have a bumper-stop of some sort to keep the rudders from over-rotating and then allowing the tiller arm to cross bar connection to bind. I'll try and get pics to post my, personal correction because it looks like it'll need to be custom. And, that's OK.

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ChuckC
H21SE- 408

After looking at it, I decided I couldn't accept reducing the rudder throw by adding a bumper stop as it looked like it would reduce the throw way too much.
Apparent solution: I added more teflon tape around the threads of the adjustment nut (toe-in/out). That appeared to do it; it was rotating about that thread way too easily. In reality, it looks like a jam nut made out of nylon would work or something to that effect.

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ChuckC
H21SE- 408

You should be able to disable the rotation on one end of the tiller crossbar... the rotation opposite the adjuster can be riveted. This iis what they do at Hobie Europe for Tiger / Wild Cat ... hulls with no lip creating a stop.

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

Thanks, Matt!

That would work, easily - just didn't know if I was missing something on the geometry that would cause it to bind if I did just that. I guess I can clamp down and try before drilling, but the rotation doesn't seem necessary for me.

BTW, love the tiller connector! It's really well engineered!

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ChuckC
H21SE- 408

Needs just one end to rotate.

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