Hobie PA12 review and info

that whole twist and stow assembly, with normal size rudder, is $58.99.  so I would put that in the 'reasonable' cost catagory.

my thinking at this point:

1- increasing the size of the standard PA retractable rudder seems the most straightforward and simple solution, but does it do the trick? (Occam's razor approach).

2-  mounting the twist and stow does not seem difficult but what about connecting it to the steering?   would it be easy to lock the retractable rudder in fixed (straight) position and reconnect the standard PA steering cables to the twist and stow? 

3-  what about having both rudders steer in sync on the same cables?  overkill?  too complicated?

cheers, roger

(just 5 weeks now until I finally get hands on my (formerly Pelagic's) PA12....

Yeah I would love to know more about that guy's setup. I asked him on the hobie forum, but he hasn't responded.

My experience with hacking on the twist and stow system has always been bad. They are super complicated. But then again i'm just that - a hack.

I want more of a report on how that home made clear rudder worked out for that guy.  He just said it "helped" but didn't say how much.  Have you seen anything else on how well that mod worked, Rory?  I think that's by far the easiest fix.  I just wonder how much it actually helps.

I want more of a report on how that home made clear rudder worked out for that guy.  He just said it "helped" but didn't say how much.  Have you seen anything else on how well that mod worked, Rory?  I think that's by far the easiest fix.  I just wonder how much it actually helps.

yes, and this caught my eye, it was posted by Hobie Director of Parts and Accessory Sales who I would expect to have lots of experience with kayak dynamics...

"Personally, I think the rudder could be a thicker foil, that helps keeps the flow of water attached. It could be longer, but would stick out the back when in the up position. We always try to improve the products, so we do listen to hear what is, and is not working."

by "thicker", I am thinking he means "wider" in the front to back direction, that makes sense from a fluid flow standpoint, as opposed to meaning just using a thicker material for the rudder....sure wish Pelagic had found time to experiment with a larger rudder....

I want more of a report on how that home made clear rudder worked out for that guy.  He just said it "helped" but didn't say how much.  Have you seen anything else on how well that mod worked, Rory?  I think that's by far the easiest fix.  I just wonder how much it actually helps.

yeah I know - he was pretty slim on the details.  The guy I talked to that made the longer rudder (http://www.pensacolafishingforum.com/f49/hobie-pro-angler-12-rudder-mod-132780/) says it has helped with the steering responsiveness, but not so much with the tracking.  I'd think the 2 rudder thing would be better because the built-in one acts as a skeg but yeah, how much it helps is the question.  If it were me that made that, my pride in my creation would cloud my judgement of how well it actually worked Not saying it isn't a 'lil bit of brilliance tho.

well, I pretty much try to improve/optimize everything I get my hands on, so expect lots of posts and pictures this summer as I start having fun with the PA12-

tracking/steering will get attention for sure since that is going to be very important on the river/tidewater that I plan to be on very often, I am already leaning towards adding the twist and stow to the back and using the built-in rudder as a skeg....this just seems like such a solid solution...