I have read the topics on the steering issues with the inflatables, and it looks like I fall in a similar category. Pretty sure my boat is older than 5 years so a warranty would not apply. In my case the rubber cable from the rudder control to the rudder (about 3/4 of the way back) got kinked. I can feel the tube is collapsed in the rubber outer tube.
When I pull the rudder control forward so that everything is straight the rudder operates just fine. But when I put the rudder control to the the left or right side by the attachment brackets on the seat (and the cable flexes) it appears to me the kinked area is impeding the inner strings from working properly. My son was using the boat and instead of stopping was forcing it and broke the left side bracket where the controller mounts.
I'm thinking of carefully slicing the rubber outer liner where the kink is - and removing the kinked tubing to see if that works???
If any Hobie product specialists are monitoring this I would appreciate some advise on this. I'm in Yuma AZ for the winter and would be happy to bring the boat Phoenix, San Diego, or LA if a dealer (or Hobie) could fix it. Again, I don't expect this is a warranty situation so I assume I would be paying. I do love the boat.
It's funny but even after reading the forums and the information on a 5 year life span - I would still like a new I12s with a reversible drive. The ability to get to some spots with an inflatable is worth the shortened life span to me. Hell, I'm 65, my life spanned is already shortened... why leave some water un-fished!
My Hobie fleet: 2015 Pro Angler... 2016 Outback... (2) 2018 Revo-13's... I12s inflatable (not sure of year)
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