Hobie rudder line problem

UPDATED 4/19/11 : Problem fixed by dealer. Please ignore this thread since there is little technical details. Admin feel free to remove this thread.

I came back from Berryessa last week and discovered this. I was wondering if this could be repair by myself or should I bring it to my dealer. If someone knows the procedure and the parts needed, or know of some instructions online, please let me know. Thanks in advance.



ernest

Ernest, the answer is that yes you can fix it yourself. I had this happen to mine several times. I was never sure what was causing it. To fix you need to get some of the spectra braided rudder line from your Hobie dealer. Then to replace that section you open up the rear hatch. There should be a knot where that piece ties to the piece going forward. Just untie the frayed piece and replace. It's kind of a pain to push the new piece thru the plastic tubing and also thru the little plastic grommets that keep water out of each end of the tubing. On mine that piece of line kept fraying and breaking over & over again until I slid some shrinkwrap tube over the line where it goes into that hole in the metal nut that the rudder swivels on. I haven't had any problems since I did that. Good luck. jim

Thank you Jim. I'll check it out. It's a little intimidating when I can't see the assembly, but your info gives me the motivation to try it myself.

Thanks again!

You might try to stick a wire through the holes then attach the line and pull back through.... electrician style. Good luck.

Ernest,

I was at Sunrise Sports today and was told its covered by Hobie's 2 year warranty.  You should work it out with CCK.

I retire a rudder line once.  It can be done DIY style but it's kind of a hassle.  You want to do like marty suggests and match the spectra to something with some column strength to push it through the tubing.  I just used some monofilament. 

Lucky13 how long did you have your kayak before this happened.

Pat R

I bought it last May, I think. It's only been in the water 10 times at the most. When I first bought the kayak I was thinking to myself how thin those control lines were and didn't think they would hold for long.

Ernest,

I was at Sunrise Sports today and was told its covered by Hobie's 2 year warranty.  You should work it out with CCK.

I'll check them out. Thanks!

I would get it repair if it's still under warranty.  If not, you can buy a cable kit from from Hobie.   If you wanna save some dough... buy some of this and you'll have lifetime supply.  I found this spool 250lb test spectra downrigger cable at the Outdoor Pro Shop for about $24.

Chuck has this happened to you before.

P.S did you get my PM

Pat R

Chuck has this happened to you before.

P.S did you get my PM

Pat R

Nope... I've been on Hobies for a long time and have never had this problem ever.  I just notice that spectra downrigger cable looked like the same stuff, just a slighty thinner, but it should work just fine.  Pat... I got your PM.  I'm glad you love your new Revo.

Talked to someone at CCK Oakland today. He said the rudder line is NOT under warranty, and then told me to email JT (whoever that is) regarding the issue.
Called again in 15 minutes cause I felt that guy gave me the run-around. Either it is, or it's not under warranty. Don't ask me to ask somebody else. This time I got someone else to answer the call. He also said the rudder line is NOT under the Hobie warranty, but asked me to send him (Lai) the picture so he could get the final word from Hobie. Hope he gets an answer quickly. Anyway, buyers beware. Get your dealer to put warranty info in print. I asked Lai what exactly is covered by the Hobie warranty. He said it depends. WTF that does that mean  "Rudder line?" "Oh, that's not covered."
When I bought the kayak from Keith at CCK, he said just bring it back if anything happens to it. Well, where are you now Keith?

I have no issue replacing the line myself if I could see how the lines are connected. I tried to feel where the lines go, but they're covered by some plastic tubing. Does anyone have the schematic on how to tie these lines?

That sucks, I bought my Revo at CCK too.