Hobie Cat Forums

My TI turns to port easily from rear position, however the starboard turn is difficult on the steering leaver. Usually the front person has to help by using the front seat steering leaver. Any suggestions?

Check that your stering lines are even at the rudder. I found that mine were a little off so that the tiller in the mid position turned the rudder slightly right. So at full lock my rudder went further right than left.

You could always add a longer tiller lever like I have seen from sunEsailor

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Geordie
West Ausie

Difficulty in steering is probably caused by excessive tension in the steering lines. The tension in the steering lines appears to require compromise...

- Tighten the spectra steering lines, and you increase the tension and resistence when turning the steering handle.

- Loosen the spectra steering lines, and turning the steering handle becomes very easy.

My sailing friends prefer tight steering lines. They don't want any "slop" in the steering handle.

I prefer looser steering lines. For longer duration sails, excessive tension in the steering lines causes fatigue in my left hand.

Experiment with the tension in the steering lines to see what your personal preference is.

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Marc K
2010 Hobie Tandem Island
Boynton Beach, FL

The geometry of the rudder pull-pull pivots means that at the extremes of travel, one line will go slack (this could only be prevented if the pivots were in a straight line with the rudder pin), so when adjusting the lines, it is better to allow for this rather than remove all slack when the rudder is hard over, and have much too much tension in the straight ahead position.

Thanks for the tips! I will use my screwdriver, and adjust tension. Fingers crossed!

Because the opposite side goes slack when turning the rudder, I'd be surprised if it's the tension being too tight.

Check if two knots inside the hull on the lines are hitting each other when you turn the one direction. Also, when you are checking inside the hull look for lines wrapping around each other. That would make everything harder to turn.

Good luck

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

Sounds like binding in the hull or the handles. Any strange noises when it gets sticky?