The 2 flexible tendons that connect the tiller bars and the cross bars are pretty stiff on my boat. Is that normal or they can stiffen when they age?

Thank you,

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AB
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They will stiffen and will fail with no warning with age. A cheap part and should be replaced. Keep the old ones as emergency spares.

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Philip
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On your new ones, drill a hole down the middle and put in a little 7/64 Amsteel. Put stopper knots on both sides with as little slack as you can manage. When the tendon fails, that will allow you to finish a race (or get home) without much hassle.

Do that AFTER you drill for the roll pins.

What do you use to drill the hole, a standard drill bit?

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AB
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I bought the Hobie 20 kit ($159!! Cdn, #1953), cut down the tiller connector a bit, and have easy removability.

A standard drill will do it.

My F18 has the Hobie 20 kit (I think), which is very nice. I would like to see a picture of it on the Inter.

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Greenville SC

Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
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Thanks all.

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AB
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I ordered the parts number 6567K64, Urethane Hollow Core Round Belting Yellow, 5/8" OD from McMaster-Carr and tried it this morning. It' slightly under 5/8 so it's a little loose in the socket but 3 turn of electrical tape and it fits snugly. I bought 1 foot for $8.48. That's make it $4.24 for both rudder instead of $24.00 from Murray's. I can't compare the stifness since mines are really hard and I have never seen new one's but that seems okay.
And it's hollow so it will be easy to pass a cord through to do like CarolinaCatamarans suggest.

Oh! I have to tell you, it's yellow.

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AB
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Keep us updated on how those stand the test of time. I'm thinking that the braided hose might not hold up as well in the sun, but should not totally fail when they are done.

--
Greenville SC

Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
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Bacho,

It's not a braided hose. It's 100% urethane. You may be right about the sun though. Usually the black one resist better.

We'll see.

Here's a link to the product. http://www.mcmaster.com/#6567k64/=ruq4qs

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AB
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Could you post a picture please?

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1975 P16 "Spring Rain"Sail # 642
Home Built 2004 Optimist-Delta "Unity"
So old it has Dino hide for a sail Chrysler "Pirateer"
Steve
Oyama BC
Lat 50.1167 N
Long 119.3667 W
1700 ft
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I will when back home.

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AB
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Thanks man, my tillers to crossbar are bare aluminum with a sloppy bolt.

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1975 P16 "Spring Rain"Sail # 642
Home Built 2004 Optimist-Delta "Unity"
So old it has Dino hide for a sail Chrysler "Pirateer"
Steve
Oyama BC
Lat 50.1167 N
Long 119.3667 W
1700 ft
--

On the left side is what I bought. It was 12 inches long. On the right side is the part I cut with the electrical tape to make it fit snugly in the socket.





Edited by coolhead on May 07, 2014 - 10:31 PM.

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AB
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ok, thanks, I'm totally lost...lol where do these go?

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1975 P16 "Spring Rain"Sail # 642
Home Built 2004 Optimist-Delta "Unity"
So old it has Dino hide for a sail Chrysler "Pirateer"
Steve
Oyama BC
Lat 50.1167 N
Long 119.3667 W
1700 ft
--

Here's a closer picture.





Edited by coolhead on May 08, 2014 - 05:35 AM.

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AB
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kernunnos

ok, thanks, I'm totally lost...lol where do these go?

They make the connection between the tiller bar and the crossbar that join the 2 tiller bar.



Edited by coolhead on May 09, 2014 - 07:50 AM.

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AB
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ok thanks Coolhead.. I figured, I will have to figures out something for mine

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1975 P16 "Spring Rain"Sail # 642
Home Built 2004 Optimist-Delta "Unity"
So old it has Dino hide for a sail Chrysler "Pirateer"
Steve
Oyama BC
Lat 50.1167 N
Long 119.3667 W
1700 ft
--

http://www.thebeachcats.c…ctures/?g2_itemId=108149
http://www.thebeachcats.c…ctures/?g2_itemId=108146
my home made tendons
Before and after

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1975 P16 "Spring Rain"Sail # 642
Home Built 2004 Optimist-Delta "Unity"
So old it has Dino hide for a sail Chrysler "Pirateer"
Steve
Oyama BC
Lat 50.1167 N
Long 119.3667 W
1700 ft
--

http://www.thebeachcats.c…ctures/?g2_itemId=108149

--
1975 P16 "Spring Rain"Sail # 642
Home Built 2004 Optimist-Delta "Unity"
So old it has Dino hide for a sail Chrysler "Pirateer"
Steve
Oyama BC
Lat 50.1167 N
Long 119.3667 W
1700 ft
--