Make Hobie Rudder Pins :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

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Make Hobie Rudder Pins

BobBill

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 03, 2009

Last visit: Feb 03, 2021

Posts: 90
Posted: Apr 03, 2014 - 02:21 PM

Anyone tried? Seems a breeze to buy AL or SS stock, cut, flatten in end and drill retainer hole?

Tried to put in the Tech forum and would not take...

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bacho

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 17, 2011

Last visit: Sep 24, 2023

Posts: 783
Posted: Apr 03, 2014 - 03:15 PM

I've made several just the way you describe from AL rod.

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Greenville SC

Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
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peterk123

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 26, 2013

Last visit: Apr 13, 2018

Posts: 151
Posted: Apr 03, 2014 - 03:40 PM

Same here. I have a half dozen for my Prindle. Cost me five bucks.

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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
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Dogboy

Rank: Mate

Registered: Mar 19, 2004

Last visit: Nov 21, 2024

Posts: 964
Posted: Apr 03, 2014 - 04:06 PM

Yes. I've used 3/8" diameter SS round bar from McMaster Carr. Cut to length, drill a hole in the end - done. Costs about half what Hobie charges.

Keep in mind that any rudder pin material other than stainless steel is subject to breakage. I would personally never use anything other than stainless on my boat (including when sailing thru the surf).

sm
bacho

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 17, 2011

Last visit: Sep 24, 2023

Posts: 783
Posted: Apr 03, 2014 - 06:23 PM

Have you ever broken an aluminum pin that wasn't worn out?

Stainless is over-kill IMO.

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Greenville SC

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

Rank: Mate

Registered: Mar 19, 2004

Last visit: Nov 21, 2024

Posts: 964
Posted: Apr 04, 2014 - 03:50 AM

bachoHave you ever broken an aluminum pin that wasn't worn out?

Stainless is over-kill IMO.

Have you ever worn out a stainless pin? I don't think so.

I've never broken an aluminum pin because I never use them. But I know plenty of people who have broken them.

What's the benefit of using a marginal strength rudder pin that will eventually wear out and break? Save a couple ounces? You're certainly not saving any money if you have to replace the pins every couple years.

I'd much rather buy the pins once, install them, and be done knowing that they simply will not fail under any conditions.

sm
HULLFLYER

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 06, 2004

Last visit: Oct 20, 2024

Posts: 878
Posted: Apr 04, 2014 - 03:51 AM

Using an aluminum pin against SS gudgens will make wear groves in the pins. You will not see that happen if you use SS pins
bacho

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 17, 2011

Last visit: Sep 24, 2023

Posts: 783
Posted: Apr 04, 2014 - 04:12 AM

If you have 2 materials of the same hardness, they will wear equally. The pins are designed to be a sacrificial part in the Hobie rudder systems. If the pin is not wearing, what do you think IS wearing?

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Greenville SC

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

Rank: Mate

Registered: Mar 19, 2004

Last visit: Nov 21, 2024

Posts: 964
Posted: Apr 04, 2014 - 10:37 AM

bachoIf you have 2 materials of the same hardness, they will wear equally. The pins are designed to be a sacrificial part in the Hobie rudder systems. If the pin is not wearing, what do you think IS wearing?

The only part that wears is the black nylon bushings. Sorry, but there's no way you're going to convince me that the rudder pin is intended to be "sacraficial". There are some theories that you want a softer pin for surf sailing so that if you back down a wave, you break the pin rather than the transom (another theory which I do not ascribe to).

I've had the same gudgeons and rudder pins on my boat for about 20 years. They're in virtually the same condition they were in when they were new. The only part I change out is the black bushings every few years.

If you want to sail with aluminum pins, be my guest. My only recommendation would be that if you sail with rudder pins that are any material other than stainless, you better bring a spare set ON THE BOAT with you, because they will eventually break at the worst possible time.

sm