Rudder Fight-back

Wife and I went sailing on our new Tandem Island this weekend, and while sailing close reach (upwind) in moderate wind (5-7 knots) we were surprised by the effort needed to keep our course. The rudder lever needed to be held with both hands to hold the course, as the boat continually tried to turn directly into the wind. Is there a fix for this, or do we have to get used to wrestling the rudder lever? (I don't remember that the older boat we tried before purchase having the same behavior.)

We call that weather helm... the boat wants to round up to "weather"... into the wind. Make sure the rudder is pulled down hard and cleated to hold it there.

Play with daggerboard position. Maybe less dagger board when in higher winds.

Heavier weight forward also causes weather helm.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Sounds like the rudder isn't fully down. Try pulling the "UP" and then the "DOWN" to get it in the proper position. The same feeling will happen in a puff, the rudder will be hard to control and will not properly respond. It is stalling, can't handle the additional force from the wind. My solution to that is to sheet out a bit and bear off. The boat will accelerate quickly and in a second or two you can go back to close hauled and sheet in.

In addition to what has been said above, I have found that sail trim can have a big effect on the rudder/weather helm. I've found that sheeting out just a bit can help if I have to fight the rudder. Use those telltales.

The TI rudder is a "semi-balanced" design with a small lower portion of the rudder surface located in front of the rudder pin. Flow over this forward portion counteracts some of the forces aft to reduce torque feedback on the rudder controls. As noted in a previous response, if the rudder is not fully down this balancing will be greatly reduced or eliminated.

Lock the rudder full-down (on trailer or in water you can stand in) then attempt to pull back on the rudder bottom and see how much it moves back. Is it fully locked down and how much play is present?

Peter

_________________
2016 Hobie Oasis with Evolve v2 rudder mount, Sidekick ama kit, Mirage sail kit, Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 42dv, bilge pump
2007 Hobie Outfitter x 2 with Mirage sail kits, large rudder blades

Agree,

Sounds link the rudder was not fully locked down. If not locked down, significant pull can build up on the tiller - to a point where you can not steer at all.

_________________
Jim
Hobie TI 2022 - Offshore rig - Outboard - having fun!
Hobie TI 2021 - Offshore rig - Outboard - sold
Hobie TI 2016 - Offshore rig - Outboard - sold
Hobie Kona 2014
Hobie AI 2015 - sold
Hobie Rev 13 2014 - sold
Hobie Outback - 2008 - sold

Thanks for the advice. I can confirm that cleating the rudder in the down position solved the problem.