Mack wrote:
I have a 2017 model. How do I know if it had the spectra lines? I had it out 3 times. Steering was waaaay loose. Lots of play. Asked the ACK rep. He showed me how to tighten the lines. Did it this weekend. Steering is great now. Only the starboard side needed tightening. Noticed the line was frayed where it wrapped around the screw head. Is this common? Seems like there should be a better solution to protect the steering line. If that snapped on the water I'd be SOL. (Note to self, throw a small screw driver in the tackle box!).
That...looks very bad. Maybe check the screw for sharp edges and either replace the screw or add a thin plastic washer to protect your spectra line? And yes that is spectra, the steel wires came in an upgrade kit that you DIY on the first gen boats.
Here's a question for you: after tightening up your starboard line, have you taken it out on the water? Did you have to do further adjustments to the steering tension?
Update on my i11s: after speaking with Hobie, boat is on its way back to HQ for a factory fix. I bit the bullet on losing 2 weeks of fishing season, hopefully this will resolve my steering issues once and for all!