Hobie Cat Forums

My brand new TI arrived a few days ago and I've been gradually piecing together my trailer, and now the boat. I've noticed that whenever either one of the rudder controls are used, the lines inside the boat make a noise like they are under extreme tension, the kind of noise that says to me that they are about to snap. I just wanted to make sure this is normal before going out on the water.

Another question while I'm here: one of the amas sounds like it has something loose sliding around in it, while the other one does not. Should I be concerned?

I had the same thing with my new AI hull a few weeks ago. It sounded just like guitar strings being overstretched, but it turned out to be a noisy spring under the rudder lever pivot, inside the hull. I don't know how the TI works - if you move one rudder lever, does it make the other one move too? Reach under and feel the pivot as you turn each rudder lever and you will probably be able to tell if that's where the sound is coming from.
Apparently the fix is to rotate the spring, but mine is too tight - I can't budge it with fingers or pliers. I've learned to live with it - it's not so bad now I know my rudder lines aren't about to snap.
I've also had a rattle in one of my amas for years. I've always assumed it was a scrap of plastic. It hasn't led to any problems as far as I'm aware.

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Think of a Bow (bow and arrow)
YOU WANT the noise!
I have been 19 miles off shore (coastal) and suddenly NO (I like to call it) Ping Pong turning Port / left. YIKES as now I could no longer turn port either. The set screw for the port line backed off. NOT a fun fix in the middle of nowhere but doable.
If its silent, its likely not tuned correctly and you will suddenly not turn

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Mark AKA: River
2011 AI in Red hibiscus
Lowrance Elite 4
2 12V 700ma batteries in Parallel
Solar charging
Ritchie Compass

Forgot...this is a maintenance thing. Check the lines for slack BEFORE going out to play. Far easier to fix on shore or at home than in 2500' of water in my case

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Mark AKA: River
2011 AI in Red hibiscus
Lowrance Elite 4
2 12V 700ma batteries in Parallel
Solar charging
Ritchie Compass