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Does the steering upgrade help?
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Author:  On the Fly [ Mon May 24, 2010 4:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Does the steering upgrade help?

I had the same issue with the steering drum upgrade with the new one rubbing and making the steering a bit stiffer because of it.
I do not think I have enough room to place a washer under the drum.

Author:  MidTNKayakAngler [ Wed May 26, 2010 11:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Does the steering upgrade help?

On the Fly wrote:
I had the same issue with the steering drum upgrade with the new one rubbing and making the steering a bit stiffer because of it.
I do not think I have enough room to place a washer under the drum.



The washer I used was very thin, about the same thickness as a dime or a little thinner, if that won't work for you you might want to take a rasp or file and shave some off of the 11-1 O'Clock position of the drum itself, and sand smooth. When I was reinstalling the drum I used anti-seize on the shaft that the rudder is attached to.

Author:  sifisto [ Thu Jun 03, 2010 1:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Does the steering upgrade help?

I made a recent upgrade/modification which improved everything 100%. I'm waiting for a reply back from Hobie before telling about it. The PA is now an extreme pleasure to steer and maneuver.

Author:  Rocketvet [ Thu Jun 03, 2010 2:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Does the steering upgrade help?

I can't wait to hear about it. I am having some issue that the steering feels fine when the PA is out of the water, but as soon as I'm in the water and moving, it feels like I'm going to break the handle I have to push it so hard. It is grinding and squeaking like a door hinge. A real displeasure to use!

Author:  yakkingaway [ Thu Jun 03, 2010 4:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Does the steering upgrade help?

I think you're suffering from hull deformation when in the water. Let's not look at that as a bad thing, look at it as a change from when you had it sitting on the trailer or deck or grass... whatever. Then in the water, the hull takes it's natural "water state" shape and it tightens up. I'm going to guess that you have it bowed down in the center on the "stand" or trailer... and it flattens out on the water. that would cause the lines to tighten. That's what the little thumb screw on the back of the steering device is for... Small adjustments. Next time you get on the water and it's tight, loosen the nut a bit. All it does is wrap line around itself, shortening or lengthening the actual line to the rudder. Let me know if that's "clear as mud"...

Author:  Rocketvet [ Thu Jun 03, 2010 5:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Does the steering upgrade help?

I like that theory! I may actually have my lines too tight when they're not in use which makes them extra tight in the water. Never had such issues with the Outback but it's a totally different animal (fish?). I have played with the thumb knob but I feel like they are so tight, that's not making any difference. I'm going to loosen them up and see how that helps.

Author:  yakkingaway [ Thu Jun 03, 2010 7:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Does the steering upgrade help?

Take note of how it's sitting on land... stand, cradle, whatever, and see if you don't have it in a "bend" with the center down... when it's in the water it would be as level as it's supposed to be. Try sitting it on the ground and make the adjustments... then leave it alone till you get it in the water... You might have to re-figure how you're storing it, get some of that stress off the hull. Good luck, I'd like to know if you get anywhere with it. Move the cradles closer together possibly for tuning the steering. You've got the idea now, see if it pans out.

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