Turning problem with '06 Outback

On occasion, my Outback wants to go left when I don't ( I'm a Republican). Usually, in a decent swell off the California Coast, it will start to turn left. Full right rudder won't correct it. I end up making a 360 degree turn. It has never done the same to the right. I believe it tends to do it on flat lake water, also. The rudder is adjusted properly. Has anyone had any similiar problems?
Any larger rudder mods for the Outback. May help with my sail kit which I haven't tried as yet.
The only good thing with the 360 degree turns is that my companions (without Mirage drives) believe that I am circling and waiting for them to catch up.
Thanks, JIM

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2006 Outback SUV

Interesting--I have had the same problem on occasion with this hard-to-port maneuver in my '04 OB, and (politics aside) have no clue what caused it. The rudder did not respond to the rudder control at all. I finally had to un-bungee the paddle (horrors!) and do a strong starboard back-paddle in order to get the bloody thing back on track. As soon as I did the reverse paddle, the OB snapped out of it, the rudder control worked again, and the boat returned to course. Veddy strange!

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Perhaps the drive fins straight down can add to rudder control (like a dagger board). Hold both pedals together for a moment or use short strokes with pedals centered through turns.

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

Hmm, Matt--didn't think of that. Will have to do a bit of experimentation to see if I can replicate it, but it sure was a strange sensation at the time.
Thanks.
Dick

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I have found on my Sport that if I keep fins straight down, my turning is inhibited. I usually spread my pedals far apart and do quick small strokes while cutting my rudder full right or left.

Fins straight down should add a pivot point to steer on.

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

Ahhh... Unless you are decelerating?

As the boat slows down it would be natural for it to turn. Especially with the drives drag up forward.

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

By default, when doing this test, holding the pedals together or apart, you are decelerating, unless flutter stepping. I could swear I tried both flutter steps, pedals together and pedals apart, and apart yielded the tightest turn radius. Looks like I'll have to repeat the test next time I'm out.

By the way, Matt, still waiting for someone to answer my question on how the AI pedals with sail furled. Still go 7mph? More effort? No difference between Adv and AI when pedaling because amas are out of water? Just curious.

Pedal the AI?

Certainly there will be more drag and windage. The AI will slow more quickly when you stop pedaling, but the effort to pedal is not that much more than an Adventure hull only.

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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 for the replies. I have tried the short, quick strokes near centered. I'll try leaving the fins centered for the dagger board effect. Does it too often for my likeing and never to the right.
JIM

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2006 Outback SUV

The only other conclusion is an asymmetrical bottom shape?

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

Assymetrical, I hope not. I'll check with a straight edge in different areas.
Matt, can you advise the difference in cockpit width between the Outback and the AI in the area of the seat?
I really want to order an AI, but if it's much narrower it might not work for me.
JIM

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2006 Outback SUV

Very similar. Not sure exactly. Someone have one they can measure. I don't have both in my office.

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

Sounds like you need my office, Matt....

Adventure cockpit: ~15.5 - 16 inches

Outback: ~17.5 - 18 inches

Basically measured 6" in front of the seat back about 1" above the deck.

Brian C