PA12 rudder mods...

a brand new rudder was delivered today for my PA12 and that means that I can finally start messing with the one on the kayak with no fear of destroying it in the process of looking for improved steering.  Initial test will be adding length so it extends deeper onto the water, also planning to test effect of making it slightly wider...

should be posting pictures and video over the next week or so as things develop...cheers, roger

Interesting. Was this custom made for you or are there bigger PA12 rudders available from hobie?

Rory-  sorry, more details:  I prepared some plexiglass blanks earlier this year to attach to my rudder to test the effect of longer and/or wider on steering dynamics...but before drilling into my existing, albeit well used, rudder and potentially destroying it as part of my testing (what fun is experimenting if you don't destroy stuff?), I wanted to have a brand new stock Hobie PA rudder ready to go, especially since in like 2 weeks there will be big shiny Chinooks swimming up the river that is 2 miles from my location, bad time to have your kayak out of service just because you were f'ing around trying to make a great boat even better...roger

Gotcha. Let me know how it works out. I put a custom rudder on mine and I think it helps. Does put more pressure on the lines when turning due to the greater size/resistance. Popped a crimp on one of the tillers pretty quick. Quick fix tho, should have been tied rather than crimped anyway.

a brand new rudder was delivered today for my PA12 and that means that I can finally start messing with the one on the kayak with no fear of destroying it in the process of looking for improved steering.  Initial test will be adding length so it extends deeper onto the water, also planning to test effect of making it slightly wider...

should be posting pictures and video over the next week or so as things develop...cheers, roger

RD;

I would like to see some pictures when you can. I have the 2013 PA 14 and I think the rudder is the larger one? what is the length of the rudder you will be installing?

Thanks

RD;

I would like to see some pictures when you can. I have the 2013 PA 14 and I think the rudder is the larger one? what is the length of the rudder you will be installing?

Thanks

KH-  I think they are all the same from Hobie, only 1 part number (84500101) and it is called "Rudder Blade Pro A"....it measures, from the very top to the bottom 15".  I am first planning to try adding about 5" deeper into the water, enough of an increase in area to have an effect and see if the steering lines are OK with that (checking those crimps that Rory mentioned for sure  )...roger

will changing the rudder size adversely effect the stowing away of it?

will changing the rudder size adversely effect the stowing away of it?

my plan is to have it stow up against the kayak just as normal but it will extend out the back slightly, sticking out under the carry handle perhaps 2" but low enough not to interfere with the handle...

IMO the PA rudder complaints are over blown.......my first Hobie was a 2010 Outback and I changed to the sailing rudder after my first use with a down rigger......I could not make the bugger track worth beans until I used the larger rudder.....otherwise, it was fine.
I now own a 2013 PA-14 and find the standard rudder to be more than adequate.....including using my same down rigger with a 2.5# weight.....it tracks where I want it to go.
I really think the main rudder issue stems from the user not starting out using "short-quick-fluttering strokes".....the PA quickly gets underway so the rudder "will answer the tiller"....its just that simple...

IMO the PA rudder complaints are over blown.......my first Hobie was a 2010 Outback and I changed to the sailing rudder after my first use with a down rigger......I could not make the bugger track worth beans until I used the larger rudder.....otherwise, it was fine.
I now own a 2013 PA-14 and find the standard rudder to be more than adequate.....including using my same down rigger with a 2.5# weight.....it tracks where I want it to go.
I really think the main rudder issue stems from the user not starting out using "short-quick-fluttering strokes".....the PA quickly gets underway so the rudder "will answer the tiller"....its just that simple...

PA 12 is a different animal when it comes to rudder control.  People are looking for a solution for a good reason.

Ron

IMO the PA rudder complaints are over blown.......my first Hobie was a 2010 Outback and I changed to the sailing rudder after my first use with a down rigger......I could not make the bugger track worth beans until I used the larger rudder.....otherwise, it was fine.
I now own a 2013 PA-14 and find the standard rudder to be more than adequate.....including using my same down rigger with a 2.5# weight.....it tracks where I want it to go.
I really think the main rudder issue stems from the user not starting out using "short-quick-fluttering strokes".....the PA quickly gets underway so the rudder "will answer the tiller"....its just that simple...

the PA12 spins like a top.  I know, I have 2.

I understand your complaint, but it's also the same complaint of "no or poor rudder control" for the PA-14 and with that craft, I do not agree......do you know if the rudder is the same size for both the 12 and 14?

I understand your complaint, but it's also the same complaint of "no or poor rudder control" for the PA-14 and with that craft, I do not agree......do you know if the rudder is the same size for both the 12 and 14?

I think the title of this thread is "PA12 rudder mods...."

If you would like to start a "PA14 rudder works good the way it is" thread go for it.....

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

It's not the same complaint. Tracking and steering are different. I have no experience with the pa14 but pa14 owners who i've described the tracking issue to do not identify. The boat is 2 feet longer so it probably tracks fine.

Also, i was trying to fix the tracking issue with a longer rudder and it didn't work. But it does make the steering more responsive, which is a plus. But i didn't have a huge issue with the stock rudder's performance.

I understand your complaint, but it's also the same complaint of "no or poor rudder control" for the PA-14 and with that craft, I do not agree......do you know if the rudder is the same size for both the 12 and 14?

I think the title of this thread is "PA12 rudder mods...."

If you would like to start a "PA14 rudder works good the way it is" thread go for it.....

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

Come on Bill, its much more related than half the trangents we go on.

-Allen