No reason you should have broke any after 1 season of sailing. I sailed my infusion for 2 years (including a tybee) with no issues. Maybe there is something going on with the angle of the tiller on the F16? If Kirk can lay off the Coors Light for a minute he might be able to tell you what you're doing wrong.
If you really wanted a rope in it, it wouldn't be that hard to put one in yourself, but it would probably weaken the "tendon" more. There is definitely nothing on the market of the right diameter with a rope in it.