mmiller wrote:
Lets not get crazy here... quoting consumer laws and all.
You certainly do not need the rudder to survive on the AI, so it is not a big safety issue here. Simply reduce sail and use the fins and or use the paddle to steer. Lets keep it real here.
This is not being ignored. We did a lot of listening and changing of design and materials to get this pin to what it is now. We will still listen.
I do not believe there is room above the pin as the control lines pass directly over the head... that is the reason for the "D" shape head. This allows the insertion and removal past the control lines.
We are not talking a high speed aircraft or product that requires extremely tight tolerances. Actually, the rudder needs some amount of play to rotate up and down (drum)... then the pin fit in the hull. So, some "rudder slop" is designed in and more is adjustable (drum tension). None of this has effected the boats over all performance in the years since its introduction. In many cases, sailors are simply demanding more from this product than it was originally designed for. We have made many changes since day one, but there will always be limitations.
If the pins are failing in conditions that are moderate... there may be an issue of materials here (inconsistency), but I also suspect that possibly the down control lines may be over tensioned and racked on and off to a point where damage is occurring in the pin in the simple function of up and down control.
Hi Matt, It is not my intention to denigrade Hobie. The Adventure Island is a great compromise all-round boat which I am proud to own. I wasn't threatening or quoting the laws...just making observations based on my experience.
Secondly take it from me that there IS ample room above the rudder to build in a longer pin incorporating a second top lip to allow for a finger hold.
Thirdly I am not yet familiar with the engineering of the rudder up/down haul system other than how it looks, but would be extremely surprised to hear that a neat fitting pin would impede it from operating as it is designed.
Just to reiterate, the 'apparently' regular failure of the pin out on the water in moderate wind and wave conditions is poor, but having an poorly engineered replacement pin that can't be replaced until back on dry land in its current form is in my opinion inexcusable.....Pirate