IS 1100 $ a good price for a whoe new system?

Sounds like alot of money when you can build a system from Hobie parts for probably under 300 bucks if you use used parts.

Dotan rudders have 3 positions:
1. UP - To lift the rudder blade and secure it in the upright position - tiller up and momentarily return it to the original position.
2. DOWN - Repeat the move to bring the rudder blade down.
3. IN-BETWEEN - Keep the tiller up for midway position in shallow water.


You can easily adjust the rudder to kick up at various pressures with a 3-position rubber stopper (located on the inside of the rudder box). Extensive information you may find here: Adjusting the Pressure under which the Rudder Kicks Up

While you are learning how to sail, it really will be wise to use different rudders that are not so prone to abuse because of negligence.

This is the first time I have really studied a Dotan system.

The blade and casting shape are very similar to my old N6.0.

The casting, rudder release, etc, looks far superior on the Dotan. (Dotan much better)

How do these work in the real world, and are they standard on any Cats?

I have had a set (Dotan). I have a Nacra system now. Without a doubt the Nacra system is better. It's simple, stronger and has less parts.

If you live on a deep lake (never hit the bottom or have to deal with surf) then you might like the Dotan system.

my .02

Do have parts of the old rudder system?

I have an old G-Cat 5.7 and I use to go through rudders until I had plates welded in the rudder housing to stiffen it up.

I talked to Hans about this too. About using lexan and forming it. He told me he had tried to do that too... but even lexan broke. The rudders themselves are foam cores with lamination. The metal parts are easy enough to construct, the glassing has to be done under vacuum to get that really complete bond.

The eleven hundred is not a bad price considering the aluminum welding and glassing. I bought just the glassed rudder from him for a hundred. Metal not included. He wanted 200... he will negociate.