Quote:
I think you'll find the large rudder is not compatible with the TI rudder. As you can see below, the large rudder extends forward immediately below the mounting point and would hit the hull. Additionally, the locking mechanisms are similar in theory, but located in different spots -- all other things being equal, the large rudder will not lock up in the TI.
Yep...Roadrunner is right (as usual.) Although the rudder can be bolted on, it won't lock down due to the difference in shape. Great comparison pics, by the way. I forgot just how much of my rudder is now sitting somewhere on the bottom of Choctawhatchee Bay!
Quote:
Just out of curiosity, I wonder if there are any internal air pockets along the fracture.
I examined my rudder pieces pretty closely and nothing jumped out at me as obvious air pockets that would have embrittled the rudder....That doesn't rule out the existence of a bunch of smaller ones, though.
Quote:
Hopefully your break is the result of a defective or damaged part. The fact that it broke so soon after your first major wind would suggest that to be the case.
Yes...my fingers are crossed on that one. I have a couple of spare rudders on order now and will put them to the test when they come in. If I end up snapping those too maybe I'll go back to sailing school.
Quote:
have you scored a first, with your TI rudder breaking clean in half?
Seems like it...although it looks like I was quickly followed by a couple of others.
Quote:
get out in a good wide expanse of water with no-one else around to run into, stow the rudder, and practise getting to some pre-determined point without it!
Yes...highly recommended. I actually was pretty happy with how I was able to handle the boat after the failure. I still was able to sail pretty close-hauled just using a paddle braced against the hull. It was a little operator-intensive, but manageable. However, I was in relatively protected waters without much swell. If I'd still been on the ocean-side of the inlet I probably would have ended up beaching somewhere instead of bringing it all the way home.
Quote:
There was another case of the rudder snapping in half in the open forum and another case today. One of our club members was out on his TI, heard a pop, thought it was the pin, pulled the rudder up and saw it sheared right about where this one did. He was in small swells and I guess winds with gusts up to 20mph. I'm not sure if he posts on the hobie forum, if not, NOHUHU or I will get some pictures. Well, I guess we complained about rudder pins and got what we wanted, a stronger pin
Definitely a good idea to practice sailing without a rudder.
Wow...no kidding...another one. Would love to see pictures of that event for comparison. In case anyone wants to do some detective work, my hull number (if I'm reading it correctly) is US-HCCP0472F010. I wonder if the other boats that have experienced this came off the line around the same time. Maybe a bad batch of thermoplastic?
Quote:
Glad I replaced my curved Hobie paddle with another that uses flatter blades
For this incident I used my curved Hobie paddle which, while effective, was less than optimal. I had a telescoping flat paddle in the forward compartment but didn't want to scramble up there to get it. One little takeaway - I should have had a paddle leash handy to secure the paddle while I was using it to steer. I almost lost it a couple of times and if it had gotten away I really would have been up the proverbial creek.
Quote:
I wonder if the sailors who've experienced broken rudders were also having problems with locking there rudders in place?
In my case, no - or not at least that I could tell. Although after reading everyone else's troubles on this forum I had been anticipating trouble, my rudder had worked as advertised on all my previous outings. Always locked down no problemo.
Quote:
I would imagine a rudder would come under additional stresses if unable to lock itself against the rudder mount.
I don't think that's the case in this instance. If you look at my shots, it looks like the rubber snapped right at the locking block - leading me to believe it was fully seated when it failed. Had it not been locked, I'd think it would have failed in the vicinity of the attachment points where it bolts into the twist and stow system.
Quote:
we're still jazzed about the TI and are continuing to go out every weekend with it!
Couldn't agree more!
Cheers,
-Charlie