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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Make Hobie Rudder Pins
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Posted: Apr 03, 2014 - 02:21 PM
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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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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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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).
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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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Posted: Apr 04, 2014 - 03:50 AM
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.
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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 -
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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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Posted: Apr 04, 2014 - 10:37 AM
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.
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