I have a 1981 H16 which I am learning to sail. On my first sail, I noticed that the tiller required alot of force and was very hard to steer into a broad reach course. After reading past posts on the subject, I am understanding that the excessive force needed to pull the tiller is due to too much aft rake on the rudders. In addition I have learned that the kick-up force on the rudders are preset at 18lbs. When I checked my rudders, they move very easily at less than a couple of pounds. They are very loose. So, I am thinking the drag in the water is pulling the rudders aft and causing the problem.

Other posts described an adjusting screw located at the bottom of the casting that controls the kick-up force. I don't see such a screw on my setup. Perhaps my 1981 setup pre-dates this screw). I was thinking of tightening the bolts that attach the blade to the casting, but I am afarid that this may damage the casting. Any suggestion on how I can tighten and adjust the rudders?

If it helps, there are plastic washer-like shims between the blade and the casting. Would replacing these help any?

Thanks for all the great insight from everyone who contributes to this forum. It really helps us beginners!

The shims should not affect much, I know that newer 16's have adjustable castings but it doesn't sound like yours does.

I am not positve so don't just go crazy but I think to do alot of adjustment you will have to fill the old rudder holes and redrill new holes.

Yours should have the pastic screw to adjust the the kick up tension. I'm not positive but I think 16's have always had this.

I am new too and I poisted the same question. It's all in the rudder cams, which are supposed to pop open and closed kind of like the catch on a car trunk. The tendency of them to pop easier or harder is controlled by the compression in a spring under a plunger. There is a "delrin" screw under the plunger that most likely is siezed in place. You can increase the load in the spring by dropping a suitable shim, like a marble or a stainless steel nut, in the hole and then re-installing the spring and plunger.

Check the rudder, cams, rake and alignment FAQ on the Hobie forums:

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=467