This may be a silly question but I'm new to cat sailing and Hobies, so here it is when the rudders drop should they just lock into the cams by the force coming down? If I bring them down slowly be hand(while on the trailer) I can't get then to lock into the cams why is this? I understand the mechanics of how the system works but I'm not sure if the cams stay locked into place or do they rotate up and down on the pin, I mean I CAN'T move the cams by hand so i assume they don't but I can't really get the rudders to lock in either. Thanks for any help!
-Peter
If my Hobie is on the trailer, the rudders will lock no matter how slowly I let them down. In water, each end of the tiller must be pushed to the rearward to lock the rudder. I believe there is an adjusting bolt to set the lock point. And, most importantly the unlock pressure is set by this same bolt.
P.S. Don't use a lot of force to change a cam poosition or something could break. (loosen parts first)
Greg H14,H16
These are rotating cam locks. There is a pin and a spring that comes in from the bottom. You can adjust the kick up tension with the slot screw from the bottom...use a fish scale and hook it near the tip of the blade...adjust to where it takes 18-22 pounds of pressure to release. Okay, to properly adjust the lock...lock your blade down; there is a sliding adjustment plate on top of the tiller with a allen screw; loose the screw, and I take a pry bar and push the lock forward, then tighten the screw. You should feel a click when you push the tiller down. These work great when adjusted properly, and are hard to lock when loose.
Thanks everyone the suggestion were a HUGE help!!!!