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Swapping rudder control to starboard on Revo 13
http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=52199		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Old_School [ Thu Jul 17, 2014 11:53 am ]
Post subject:  Swapping rudder control to starboard on Revo 13
Has anyone ever accomplished this mod? I tried the search function here, but came up empty.

The reason I ask is that I have a left hand/arm disability that doesn't allow me to use the port side rudder control. I haven't yet purchased a Hobie, but the Mirage drive looks perfect to fit my needs and get me back on the water! I thought that before I try to re-engineer the rudder system that someone could provide some insight on how to begin. It appears that there's not much horizontal space for a right-hand control, but a vertical surface would work fine for my needs.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Author:  fusioneng [ Sat Jul 19, 2014 5:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Swapping rudder control to starboard on Revo 13
Oldschool:
In would be impractical to move the steering over to the right side. The hardware is just not there to do it.
However it would be very simple to add a second set of steering controls on the right side of the boat, the original steering controls would be left alone. By doing it this way if you ever sell the boat you can simply remove your custom steering and put it on the next boat.
I would go to my Hobie dealer and buy about 20 ft or so of the spectra rudder string (it's that grey line used for steering) you can also get it mail order from places like ACK and other Hobie suppliers.
Next you will need about ten to 20 ft of 1/4 inch polypropylene tubing. Next you will need to make the actual steering lever. If it were me I would just go to lowes and buy some aluminum and fashion some type of t handle from 1/4 inch aluminum about 6 inches long and 5 inches wide, I would tap two 1/4-20 holes at the ends of the t then at the intersection of the t drill about a 3/8 hole to be used as the hinge.
Next you need to run two pieces if the tubing from back by the rudder up along the gunwale of the boat then attach them down to the hull so they can't move around much in 4-5 places along the route. Now you have to run a length of rudder string through each tube, you can fish it thru using wire or edge trimmer line attached the the end of the spectra, then just pull it thru.
Next just wrap the new rudder string over the top of the old rudder string and tighten the screws back down (back on the rudder itself).
It helps if you add a stainless washer under the head of the screws.
Now if you take a piece of 1/4x1x4 aluminum drill and counter sink (from the bottom) a 3/8 hole then 4 10/32 clearance holes into the aluminum (one in each corner). Next you take a 3/8 stainless flathead about 2 inches long and place it into the countersunk hole then mount this plate to your gunwale where you want your steering control to be located. If the gunwale is not flat you can gob silicone under the plate when installing to make the mounting surface nice and flat. Now you just screw the plate down to the gunwale using stainless wood screws, don't tighten them too much as they might strip out. Let the silicone or caulk dry a day or so before doing anything else.
Now screw in two 1/4 20 screws with washers into the 1/4-20 holes you tapped earlier with the rudder string wrapped around the screws and tight. Putting spacers over the 3/8 bolt then the t handle with double nuts on top should hold everything together nicely, leaving the t loose so it can swing back and forth easily.
Pointer: your rudder lines need to cross so the steering direction is correct. You can shove a bicycle hand grip filled with silicone over the t to make steering more comfortable.
Now you can steer the boat with either hand and the whole works is easily removed.
Hope this helps
Bob

Edit: if you don't feel comfortable doing this mod, take the boat to your Hobie dealer along with my outline above. Pretty much all Hobie dealers do these kinds of things all the time for their customers (for a fee of course) I have seen our local dealer (economy tackle) doing all sorts of things like this, they are very capable and expert.
Bob
Author:  Old_School [ Sat Jul 19, 2014 3:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Swapping rudder control to starboard on Revo 13
Thanks a bunch, Bob. If I'm following you correctly, you're proposing the poly tubing be mounted to the top of the right gunwale, all the way to the transom area? Your description was pretty clear otherwise.

Having been an outboard mechanic and a boat rigger in a former life, I can handle most mods. However, I haven't yet examined a Revo up close to see how the hull is constructed or the rudder control operates.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Author:  fusioneng [ Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Swapping rudder control to starboard on Revo 13
Old-school:
Yea that's basically it, if you were try to move all that stuff inside, it would be more work than it's worth, then if you ever get rid of the boat and get a new one (we all do that all the time, I've had 8 Hobies now LOL) you would have to do it all again. This way when you move the custom stuff to a different boat, you just take the custom system with you and fit it to the new boat. You can plug all the screw holes with the Hobie welder (or have your dealer do it).
At least that's what I would do.
Bob
Author:  Wintersun [ Sun Jul 27, 2014 8:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Swapping rudder control to starboard on Revo 13
The Hobie Pro Angler 12 has primary and secondary steering controls so you can steer using your right hand if you choose. With a disability I would expect it to be easier to launch the boat from a trailer so the added weight of the PA 12 will not be a limitation.
Author:  fusioneng [ Sun Jul 27, 2014 8:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Swapping rudder control to starboard on Revo 13
Hey that brings up another possible solution using the original rudder system and extending the lines to run thru two rudder controls (like the pa and the ti). You would add two pulleys so one of the rudder lines crosses to the other side of the boat, thru the second lever (which will need to be custom made) then return back to the rudder (probably just like it's done on the pa). Actually that would be easier than the first idea, it also might be possible to use pa parts.
Just an idea
Bob
Author:  Old_School [ Tue Jul 29, 2014 6:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Swapping rudder control to starboard on Revo 13
fusioneng wrote:
Hey that brings up another possible solution using the original rudder system and extending the lines to run thru two rudder controls (like the pa and the ti). You would add two pulleys so one of the rudder lines crosses to the other side of the boat, thru the second lever (which will need to be custom made) then return back to the rudder (probably just like it's done on the pa). Actually that would be easier than the first idea, it also might be possible to use pa parts.
Just an idea
Bob


Thanks guys. I'm getting some good ideas! Took a Revo 13 out for a spin on Friday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Although my wife started complaining 4 hours into our jaunt, being exhausted after paddling around, trying to keep up with me. :) I tried to tell her she might want her own Hobie to try out, but noooo...

Examined the rudder controls and took some video from inside the hull to more closely examine the system. It appears I could install another rudder control in the drink holder position and it should have enough clearance inside the hull for it to work. Maybe install a round, flat aluminum plate in the top of the drink holder to give me a horizontal surface to work with, plus it will be out of the way while pedaling. Once I get a kayak and start my modifications, I'll try to document my alterations on the forum.

In the meantime, please keep tossing out ideas. I'm always open to suggestions!
Author:  suzmike1969 [ Mon Apr 13, 2020 11:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Swapping rudder control to starboard on Revo 13
My son has a brachial plexus injury, so his left arm & hand are paralyzed.
We ordered a Hobie foot pedal mirage kayak and added the AI/TI Hiking Stick from Hobie.
This stick easily fits into the screw hole on the kayak’s left-handed steering lever.
My son puts the stick under his legs and is then able to steer easily with his right hand, using this stick.
Hope this helps all those out there who have left arm limitations :-)
Author:  Swfinatic [ Tue Apr 14, 2020 4:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Swapping rudder control to starboard on Revo 13
suzmike1969 wrote:
My son has a brachial plexus injury, so his left arm & hand are paralyzed.
We ordered a Hobie foot pedal mirage kayak and added the AI/TI Hiking Stick from Hobie.
This stick easily fits into the screw hole on the kayak’s left-handed steering lever.
My son puts the stick under his legs and is then able to steer easily with his right hand, using this stick.
Hope this helps all those out there who have left arm limitations :-)

Nice work!! Welcome to the forum.
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