I think a lot about rudders..what if the entire rudder was one unit same shape below the waterline but coming up over the stern with a pin running thru no twist and stow just steering lines. When your coming in you yank out the pin a chuck the whole lot into the back of the boat?!! the present system seems to be a very complicated/falable piece of engineering.
Philip. I couldn't agree more.
Checkout this headstock:
http://www.philsfoils.com/Designs/kayak.html
Just pull the pin. I've also seen where the steering lines connect to a headstock with carbiners. for disconnecting them quickly (That's
Go Bananas on Oahu who really deserve a Hobie franchise.
Also take a look at smart Track system.
http://smart-tracker.com/introduction.htm
The spring in the blade permits immediate removal.
Another nice thing about the Smart Track is the trim tab. I've complained here before about having to hold onto the rudder steering handle. This has improved somewhat with the balanced rudder but still needs some sort of system to lock the rudder into whatever angle you need to do true two hands on fishing while handling the yak in high winds, etc.
I'll trade the 30 second removal and install for the Twist & Stow anyday.
I'm sure Hobie will come up with something. Hopefully a retro fit.