Rudder Bumping Loose

The problem:
I'm sailing along in calm seas and moderate wind on a reach, I hit up to 7-8mph and all the sudden, "BUMP", the rudder goes limp and the AI points into the wind. I quickly release the rudder down cleat, pull it up with the other and then pull it back down and lock it in the cleat again, rudder function restored! This happened two or three times within 30 minutes of sailing the other day.

1.) Does anyone know what's going on here? I assume this is intended functionality, but is there something I need to tighten so it doesn't happen so much? It seems to be happening more often now.

2.) Could this possibly relate to broken rudder pins? I assume this is a safety feature to keep the pin from getting damaged. Maybe other boats have it way too tight and it can never "BUMP" free so the rudder pin snaps instead?

Make sure you are pulling the down line nice and tight before cleating it.

The rudder has two small plastic areas, one with a hook that help stop the rudder from doing that. But as the rudder assembly wears, it allows the rudder to "pop out", which causes it to rounds both parts more. After a while, you will need a new rudder assembly.

It's best to keep the down line tight to get the most wear out of it what's left, and on a new rudder assembly, to try to stop it from happening.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

hmm,

I'll have to take a look to see what you are talking about. I generally pull it tight before cleating, but when I cleat it I let a little pressure off the cord as I figured that would lessen the stress on the pin....I've had no pin breaks so maybe that's been good.

You really need a whole new rudder assembly? You can't just buy parts?

JG

You need to cinch it down. Don't hesitate to put a little tension on it. That will probably solve our problem.

I sail with the rudder tensioined all the time, unless I am in very shallow water. I physically push the rudder down into its catch and then tension the down haul as tight a s possible. This seems to work ok.

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