H16 Tiller Slop (not rudder slop)

First to clear up what I'm NOT asking about.

We have adjusted our rudder stock, rudder blade, gudgeon bushings and CAM setting so that there is no movement in the rudder blade either fore and aft or sideways.

But there is still play in the tiller (NOT the cross bar, AKA camrod, between the 2 rudder tillers). With the rudder stock held firmly and the blade locked down in sailing position, cam locked, with cam adjustment set as far forward as possible, and the tiller bolt firmly tightened - so it will not drop down of its own accord (which is too tight - set like this to eliminate that as the issue) - the tiller has side to side slop.

How can this tiller slop be eliminated?

Built 2009.

Thank you

Rob

Sounds like you’re talking about slop between the tiller arm (aluminum tube) and the upper rudder casting.

Over time, the rivets that hold the tiller arm into the casting can loosen up, so you can simply drill out the rivets and re-rivet the arm into the casting. While you have the arm out, slip some shim material between the tube and the casting to tighten the fit. You can use a plastic soda bottle or a beer/soda can as shim material. Try to line up the shim with the rivet hole so that the shim won’t move around (you will need to drill a 3/16” hole through the shim before re-riveting).

sm

Excuse my ignorance. Now I know what the part is called. The slop is between the upper and lower casting.

Despite your description it's still not clear to me what part is moving relative to what other part. You're the one that's there; what two parts are not tightly connected? It's extremely unlikely IMO that the tiller arms would be loose from the upper casting.

You have the rudders firmly mounted in the main casting, right? That's how it sounds.

Is the top casting loose on the rear hole of the rudder?
Is the tiller crossbar loose against the arm?
Is it the side-to-side play of the upper casting against the main casting in the area of the cam?

_________________
'00 H16 #104691
'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
My Hobie 16 pages

Check for elongated holes for the rudder bolts through the rudders. If the holes are too large it can related to slop at this connection point. If the cam plate (in the upper casting) is pushed all the way forward, but does not keep the rudder tight forward in the lower casting... the upper castings hole can be filled and re-drilled to allow for a net fit for the bolt and some adjustability for the cam plate.

Take a look at a rudder rake FAQ: https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=467

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

it is the side-to-side play of the upper casting against the main casting in the area of the cam

The rudders are firmly mounted in the lower casting.
The upper casting is firmly bolted to the rudder blade.
There is no play in the rudder blade fore and aft. The cam Plate is as far forward as possible. Cam is firmly locked.

Made subject clearer

The upper rudder bolt hole may be elongated or over sized. If the cam plate is maxed out (forward), re-drilling the upper hole, slightly more forward, would help add some adjustability. Plug the hole with thickened epoxy, set the plate more in the middle of the adjustment... then lock the upper casting into the cam and while holding the rudder forward, use the casting to locate the new hole position in the rudder... re-drill.

You can also add plastic bushings on the bolt (either side of the casting) to help tighten that up. This is a pretty common fix.

https://westcoastsailing.net/hobie-rudder-stiffening-kit/

https://media.hobie.com/item_attachments/136z52.pdf

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