Hobie Cat Forums

On a 2013 Oasis with dual steering, rudder turns sharp to the right but not too much left, partially because steering lever hits the left side of the hull. Can you take the lever off and re-position it so that there is more available movement to the left?

The correct way to adjust the rudder is at the rudder head - loosen the two screws that are holding the steering lines - and re-adjust so that you get equal turning in either direction.

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Jacques Bernier
http://www.hobiecat.com/
http://www.facebook.com/HobieCatCompany

I can appreciate the info on the rudder adjustment because I too have that issue. My next question is about the effort to steer.
Yesterday my wife and I were out in Tampa Bay in about 15-18 knot winds and the steering lever was extremely hard to keep the rudder in position on a close hauled tack and maintain the direction of travel. I know the bow wants to steer into the wind but I was worried about breaking the rudder control lines or the rudder pin based on how hard I was having to hold onto the steering lever. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Tony
Tampa, FL

This sounds to me like either -A-, you didn't have the rudder locked down all the way, or -B-, it was too windy for a full sail - both of those scenarios would make the steering more difficult. In high winds you need to slightly furl the sail in to reduce the loads on to maintain control of the Island. And always make sure that your rudder is fully locked down. (you do that buy pulling the down handle and placing the string into the cleat where the handle exits the hull - it should leave you with about a foot of line danging into the cockpit with the 'down' handle at the end of it)

_________________
Jacques Bernier
http://www.hobiecat.com/
http://www.facebook.com/HobieCatCompany