Hobie Cat Forums

The 2012 rudder system is a big improvement on my 2009 system that broke pins. However I have had a light but annoying lee helm issue ( boat naturally pulls away) that makes me point low when not concentrating, which is most of the time.

I raced Hobie 14s in the 70s and recall the huge weather helm issues with the boat when new, This was common with Hobies although there was a fix. You needed to get the rudder tip forward to change the balance. The dealer had a setup where he plugged and redrilled the radius point in the rudder blades that kicked the rudder forward about 15mm. The difference in steering was amazing I went from mid fleet to lead pack.

Applying the same principal to my AI I glued a little rubber bumper to the rudder housing so the rudder tip went aft about 10mm - bingo slight weather helm. Now the boat sails itself to windward and is well balanced.

Hobie could work out where the correct radius point is to achieve the correct balance ie slight weather helm.

If your boat does as mine did stick a cupboard bumper in as a packer and feel the difference.
Happy Sailing

Dave, you description seems contradictory (or I am screwed up LOL)

In your second paragraph you say to get the rudder tip forward. but in the next paragraph, you say that the mod moved the rudder tip AFT 10mm. Which is correct?

Hi Tony

As I said my cat had weather helm and my AI had lee helm that's why.

Cheers
Dave

Gotcha.. sorry for not paying attention LOL

Adjusting the angle / depth of the dagger board can change steering feel as well.

I don't think it is typical for the AI to have Lee helm that can not be overcome by the dagger board, drive fins position or sheet tension.

Anyone else having the issue when using the new larger rudder system?

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Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA

I don't even think about the new rudder. I guess that means it is working great!

Keith

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I sail: S FL, Key Largo, Everglades, 10,000 Islands, Cape Romano, Cedar Key

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

I've noticed a bit of lee helm with the new rudder too, as I posted previously:
viewtopic.php?f=71&t=44312&p=187737
I wouldn't call it an "issue". I find the slight lee helm with the new rudder blade a lot less of a bother than the strong weather helm with the old blade. (Though it sounds like Dave's mod improves things even more.)

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Off topic but how did you install a 2012 rudder system on a 2009 Hull? I thought this wasn't possible.

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You can't.

But some of us had the newer hulls that shipped with the older twist-style rudder. These could be swapped out with the new up-down rudder.

Now that I think about it, there may be a slight lee helm on mine.

I had my 2009 hull replaced in 2011 due to crack in scupper.

I should add that the AI is a great boat and I love it.

The rubber bumper I fitted on the rudder blade is about 10mm thick and is positioned at the contact point with the rudder housing. It has had a minor change to the helm and is an improvement in my case.

Ferrari's need minor adjustments OK