Hobie Cat Forums

Please tell me those screws do not just mount into the plastic of the hull - they screw into a reenforcement of some kind, yes?

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2010 Tandem Island!

Reconlon, the bolts are all the way down in the black plastic housing. I've always wondered if others had longer bolts. My TI was pre-ordered and came out of the initial production runs, so I guess there is a possibility that the bolts may have since been changed. How much bolt sticks out of your plastic housing ?

tspbrady, the bolts screw into threaded metal inserts in the hull.

I would say 3/8" to almost 1/2" so about double what you are showing (I didn't measure, just glanced). If I had seen as little as you show, it would have grabbed my attention. Although the AI's aka are held on with only 1/4" - 3/8" bolts, but there are 4 on each aka.

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http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

In that case the added length of the bolt would only serve as a backup plan to perhaps delay the inevitable in the event that it became loose, I would think (assuming the bolt is long enough to reach the bottom of the metal insert).

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2010 Tandem Island!

Whoa. If those are pushed all the way in, that's only 3 threads standing between you and,... (I don't even want to think about it).

Looks like longer spare screws should be added to the TI repair kit. Though this is not a job you would want to attempt on the water.

When they are tightened now, how much space is left between the head and the rudder pin?

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"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."
- Ayn Rand

Nohuhu, there is about 1/8" between the top of the bolt head and the rudder pin.

I was just wondering out loud if a new longer screw, combined with lockwashers or a spacer would prevent the screws from backing out. For the time being,

We have a big sail coming up this Sunday in open water. Hope you get things tight by then.

But no worries, we'll be looking out for each other.

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"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."
- Ayn Rand

Checked out West Marine this afternoon, and found that they have a variety of Stainless Steel fasteners. Will take the bolt over tomorrow to see if I can find a longer one, with the same thread per inch count, and diameter. I think the longer bolt, along with Loctite, should do the trick.

Thanks, but we regretfully cannot make the big sail this weekend.

I will be getting my TI soon. Will I have to get my dealer to pull everything apart to see my screws

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Paul, Rebecca & Stephanie

Here on Maui, Lowes seems to have the best SS hardware selection, just to give you another place to check.

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http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

Checked mine, bottom one loose top one well - not tight. Applied loctite. Can you post specs of the correct bolt if u find it at WM?

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

Just got back from West Marine. They had the same style bolt in a longer size. Installed it on my TI and it looks sooo much better. There is now sufficient threading in the hull insert, that if the bolts were to loosen, the rudder assembly would wiggle, but would not fall off, as had happened to us.

I did not write down the exact dims., but will go by memory (not sure of the "20", am sure about the 1/4" and 3/4" numbers):

Replacement bolts: 1/4" x 20 - 3/4" long, Stainless Steel

The bolts that came with our TI are 1/2" long. The extra length on the new bolts now puts about 3/8" of bolt threading in the hull insert. This coincides with reconlon's 3/8"-1/2" of bolt threaded into his hull insert.

Kind of wondering if the wrong size bolts were installed on our TI.

Am also working with our retailer to make sure that the 3/4" long bolts are acceptable, and would not void the warranty.

Thx for the info.

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

The original screws on my TI (that ultimately snapped) were 3/4 inch long.
You can see the length of my original screw next to a scale in my post here:

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=28304

Note that the ruler shown in the photo is metric. However, the approximate 2 cm is shown in the photo is roughly 3/4 inches.