Hi,
just purchased our first Hobie 16, it appears to be a early 80's model, Besides the mask having almost no rake, which we have adjusted the tiller from day one has an enormous amount of pressure. With us adjusting the rake its now has even more. I had a friend that use to sail cats a long time ago jump on and test it and said it was not normal, but had no clues. Looking at the tiller its looks straight with no obvious signs that the rudders are towing in or out. Not sure if this is a clue but it wants to pull into the wind, which we are fighting to keep it on a tack. I'm not the fittest but its a real strain to sail more than 40mins handing on to the tiller. Any suggestions on where to look or what to do would be appreciated. (The previous owner is no longer)
regards
Tim

Start here for an an understanding of the causes.
http://www.thebeachcats.c…s/15/about-weather-helm/

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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
--

timd999

Hi,
just purchased our first Hobie 16, it appears to be a early 80's model, Besides the mask having almost no rake, which we have adjusted the tiller from day one has an enormous amount of pressure. With us adjusting the rake its now has even more. I had a friend that use to sail cats a long time ago jump on and test it and said it was not normal, but had no clues. Looking at the tiller its looks straight with no obvious signs that the rudders are towing in or out. Not sure if this is a clue but it wants to pull into the wind, which we are fighting to keep it on a tack. I'm not the fittest but its a real strain to sail more than 40mins handing on to the tiller. Any suggestions on where to look or what to do would be appreciated. (The previous owner is no longer)
regards
Tim

On my first boat a 16 I had the same problem. People will tell you to redrill the rudders, adjust this and that. I simpple replaced the cams and really all of the wearable parts of the rudder assembly and it was like a completely different boat. It fixed the problem and it was soooooo smooth. Plus having new parts (less that $100) is nice becuase you dont worry as much when you are our pushing it.

Have you replaced the bushings, cams, springs, rudder pins?

Like mma600psi said (how bought a name and signature!),

Most likely cause of severe weather helm is "not quite right" rudder system resulting in the rudder blades not locking down as low as they should. If the blades are angled out away from the boat even just a little it will result in sever helm. So start there and make sure everything is perfect.

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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thank you all very much for your help, will try these.

All of the above, plus....

http://www.hobiecat.com/support/articles/archive/?src=http://2010.archive.hobiecat.com/support/tech/rudders_cams.html

Step one is to make sure the cams are rotating so that the rudders lock down. If the helm is that extreme, I'm betting they don't. If you'll tell where you're located, someone might be able to get you some help in person.

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Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi
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Quote

If you'll tell where you're located, someone might be able to get you some help in person.

He is Down Under, in Oz Jerome. That is half the problem, he is upside down, so the rudders keep falling out

--
Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
--

also check they are not switched left to right with the castings etc. adjusting toe in per the many instructions will make a difference as does mast rake amounts. Keep playing with the settings and you will find the sweet spot

--
85 Prindle 16
"If you aint the lead dog the view never changes"
North Carolina
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Quote

He is Down Under, in Oz Jerome. That is half the problem, he is upside down, so the rudders keep falling out

Doh!....missed the part about Oz. On the bright side, maybe the boat won't flip so easily since he's already upside-down?!

Tim: This may be of some help as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUUA7l6fzIk

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Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi
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rattlenhum

Doh!....missed the part about Oz. On the bright side, maybe the boat won't flip so easily since he's already upside-down?!

Ha! That's why I'm always pestering everyone to create a good signature. Helps communication.

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

How To Create Your Signature

How To Create Your Own Cool Avatar

How To Display Pictures In The Forums.
--