Can anyone give a comparison of the performance for the various Hobie rudders available?
I've got a set of the original EPOs. I believe the new boats come stock stock with the white fiberglass rudders. I'm considering getting the new EPO2's (carbon).
I'm sure the new EPO2's are the best, but how much better than the others? How do the stock rudders and the old EPOs compare?

Thanks.

sm

Old epos' better than stock, new epos' better than old with new shape. There is a new blade for the Tiger that is supposed to be the best yet, Mitch Booth designed I believe.

picture of new Tiger rudder and gudgeon on Page 8

just a caution about the Carbon Rudders, do not leave them in the sun. I have seen many of them bubble as an effect.

What boat are you sailing? You did not mention. If it is a 16 forget the new ones for the Tiger. I would stick with the newest white rudders of you are on anything other than a Tiger. I am going to put the newest Tiger rudders on my Christmas list.

Dan

Thanks for the replies.

The boat is a Hobie 17.

Just trying to decide if it's worth getting EPO2's. They look nice, and I hear they're light. Otherwise, I'll have to decide whether to use the stock racing rudders or my old EPO's. It seems many people still consider the original EPOs to be quite good.

sm

I'd say the original EPO's are still good. Unless you have the cash, the desire for new and maybe the old are trashed... keep the old. They will be fine. I do agree though that the new EPO2s are the best yet.

On the delamination (bubble) issue... We have not had claims since the first (known issue) batch about 2 years ago.

The white stock blades are also EPO2 blades...

I agree with Matt the new EPO2 blades are the best. I did not realize the white stock blades are EPO2 as well. Are the blades on my 'Ventura' boat EPO2's?

SM:

I have the old EPO's on my 17 and they work great. If you are interested in some of the changes I made let me know?

http://www.thebeachcats.com/modules.php?...=view_album.php

Doug Snell
dsnell4 at houston dot rr dot com

As I recall... yes. That was early on in the itroduction of the new blades. We almost used black carbon ones and changed to white.

>>The white stock blades are also EPO2 blades...

So are the stock blades on new boats different from the white fiberglass "racer" blades that were being sold a few years ago? Are the white EPOs carbon?

Thanks
sm

The EPO2 shape is based on the original EPO foil... improved by digital technology and an improved trailing edge.

We made them in Epoxy Carbon and Kevlar Carbon... and the white in a polyester standard glass. I prefer the white for grass, kelp and heat issues. I think you would be hard pressed to find a difference in stiffness. The weights are also quite similar.

The shape is quite different from the older "Racer Blade".