Has anybody developed a better rudder control lever for Hobie kayaks?

The rudder control levers on Hobie kayaks have lousy ergonomics.  In my Revolution, I have to turn the lever with the side of my index finger and my thumb.  After a day on the water, the side of my index finger is sore.  I'm thinking of trying to develop a better rudder control lever.  I'd like some kind of handle which I can wrap my hand around.  However, when I turn the rudder control lever all the way to the left, there's very little clearance between the lever and the side of the depression in the gunwale in which it sits.  If I raise up the lever so I can get my fingers underneath it, the lever will stick up above the gunwale and interfere with turning sideways in my kayak.  And if the lever sticks very far into the cockpit of my Revolution, it'll hit the side of my thigh and interfere with pedaling.  I know that the control lever has a threaded hole for a "steering knob assembly," http://www.austinkayak.com/products/3783/Hobie-Steering-Knob-Assembly.html?utm_source=retarget&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Criteo/ , but I think that knob would interfere with turning sideways in my Revolution.  I'm thinking of making a control lever which swivels upwards 30 to 40 degrees so I can get my fingers around it, and falls back down into the depression in the gunwale when I'm not holding it.  I'd like to develop a handle which doesn't require me to twist my wrist in an awkward direction when using the handle.  It may be desirable to put a spring or a hold-down latch on the handle so it won't flop around when I'm transporting my Revolution upside down.

Has anybody developed an improved rudder control lever?  Unfortunately, different models of Hobie kayak have different shaped depressions in their gunwale for the rudder control lever, so a design which works with one model of Hobie kayak may not work with a different model. Nevertheless, I'm hoping that some of you have come up with ways to improve the rudder control levers on Hobie kayaks.

Telekinesis

Not that it helps, but I thought I saw that the new 2015 Revo had an updated depression to help keep it away from your thigh, but I don't think it be easy to incorporate into an older model since the gunwale is molded differently. Doh.

Micah just removes his rudder and steers with his paddle. But only when he's crossing the bar.

Get an Addy =) my hand rests comfortably on top of lever with no discomfort.

Micah just removes his rudder and steers with his paddle. But only when he's crossing the bar.

 

Just like this:

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=14303.msg155299;topicseen#new

Just recently saw an adapter sold by Hobie for a bar that installs on the steering lever so you can use that to move the lever with.  The bar lets you use your hand.  It kind of sticks up though so I wouldn't want to hit it during a surf launch or recovery huli.  That would leave a mark for sure.  Hope that helps -

Alan

Redneck fix - actually works well..

I like it!  And I don't even golf!

Ha! Suicide knob on a Hobie! Who whoulda thunk?