Hi,
I'm looking to replace the entire rudder system on my Hobie FX-One to save weight, (as I am having a tough time moving the boat around on the beach - and the rudder system is one of my "targeted" areas). I would save the stock system for races only, which are less frequent these days. Everything comes off for trailering anyway.

I was going to build my own out of Carbon/glass, but since I don't even have time to change the oil in my car, this probably won't happen.
Any thoughts on an affordable system I could retrofit? I really like the Auscat system - but I suppose many others are acceptable.
Thanks!

Steve
Hobie FX-One
Sail #211

Your FX-1 didn't come with the standard plastic Hobie rudders did it?

If so, a set of EPO or Hobie racing rudders are much lighter.

A set of carbon A-Cat or similar ruders AND castings will cost you a fortune.

I recently took a look at a set of rudders, castings, and tiller arms that a guy here in So. CA had placed on his Tornado. They were manufactured by Boyer and were incredibly light. I was extremely impressed! They have a no-nonsense lock down, kick up system that has an adjustable kick up force limit. I strongly recommend this system if you can apply it.

I believe Mike visits this forum and perhaps he will chime in and provide additional information about his great choice in rudders.

Click Here for a picture of the system on the boat mentioned.
Boyer Foils
GARY

I have "A-cat" AHPC rudders/stocks on my Taipan. They are magnificent and less expensive than you'd think. Check the AHPC web site:

http://www.ahpc.com.au/

Click on the auscat flyer button at the top and scroll down to see the carbon rudders/stocks.

Email AHPC and they'll give you a quote. We all know that Hobie parts are not inexpensive.

Sam Said :

>>>A set of carbon A-Cat or similar ruders AND castings will cost you a fortune.

This is simply not true. The tornado in the picture shows the AHPC (Taipan) castings but for 100 AUS$ more (= 60 USD) PER PAIR you can get the Carbon AHPC stocks.

I can't acces murrays at this time, Server error but I believe murrays charges in the order of 250 USD for a Prindle stock (alu casting) and the same for a normal heavy rudderblade. Two castings and two boards from the cheapest supplier in the world would cost a 1000 USD. I bought my carbon stocks (2) and carbon blades (2) including shipping from australia for some 15 % less money and the quality is 10 times as good. Without the shipping costs it would hit 30 % less money.

I agree with Sam that boat parts are expensive but apparently the get carbon stocks and carbon boards is noticably less expensive than getting inferiour quality parts from alu and standard polyester / plastic.


Wouter

I'm the Tornado sailor with AHPC rudder setup. This setup is what they make for their Taipan 5.8 cat...and they simply chose to use the Tornado foil section and casting mount point spacings on their Taipan's. Everything fit straight on to my Tornado transoms. Last year I paid about $650 USD for two foils, two aluminum castings, two tillers and few ancillary gudgeon pieces...including shipping from Aus. They claimed the heavy alu castings were countered by the very light foils...the whole assembly still coming out at near minimum weight for the Tornado. Blades seemed very light compared to all others I had picked up over the years. The trailing edges needed a wee bit of fairing since I got some humming at around 5-7 knots.


Here's another link on the AHPC site that shows how the lock down setup works: Rudder Lockdown System
Mike.