Adding a notch to EZ Loc rudders for a mostly up position

I'm thinking of adding another pair of notches to our Hobie Wave rudder blades for shallow water operation. The notch would hold the rudders with the blades just a bit higher than the skegs. If the rudder blade is the same solid material throughout the head area, then this should be no problem. However, if the rudder blade is a composite construction with a soft, light core, then this might not work.

QUESTION: Are the EZ LOC rudder blades solid material all the way through?

Note that we just bought a used, 2007 Hobie Wave. We also have an older Getaway with the cam type rudder locks. The lake is pretty shallow for some distance from shore, so we come and go with the rudders half out of the water. I like to have the rudders just deep enough in the water to steer to the mooring post, but not able to dig into the lake bottom when the boat drifts backwards. I added a notch to the aluminum tiller housing on the Getaway and it works fairly well.

You are considering stopping the blades partly rotated up? That would cause a significant weather helm. The only option seems to be chopping off the upper part of the rudder and moving straight up.

The blades are solid plastic.

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

I think this is a great idea. I also have to sail in with my rudders raised, to maneuver through weeds as the lake gets shallow toward shore. Rudders down, I get snagged and stop; rudders up too far, I lose steeering. Each time I touch the tiller, there's a chance one rudder will fall. A mid-range notch would mean one less aggravation. Weather helm would not be a problem for that last 30 or 40 feet.

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What - Me Worry?


2006 Hobie Wave 7358
"Ish Kabibble"