Potential problem and solution for 2009 Hobie PA

[ReelThrill]

For anyone with a 2009 PA, I found a problem the other day at the end of my trip with the pull lever to retract the rudder. If your boat is like mine just beneath the T-handle and cleat about two inches in front, on the inner side of the hull is a small phillips screw. This screw holds in place the lever pulley which retracts the rudder. The problem is the screw is the only thing holding all the force of the line and bungee cord at the one point of contact on the hull.

At the end of nubbed wonder and my trip on Friday I pulled the t-handle to retract my rudder and the head of the screw pulled straight through the hull. Luckily, it only went through the hole and didn't damage the hull or I would have really been ticked off. When you pull to retract the rudder there is so much force on that one screw that eventually with one good tug it will give out. I was fortunate that it didn't crack the hull but I wouldn't like to see it happen to any of you guys either. Fortunately, there is a quick fix for this. I went out and purchased a half inch longer screw and placed washers on both the inside and outside of the hull and then fastened the screw back in.

Hopefully this will spread out the force of the pulling and increase the strength. I will post any updates and let you guys know if it holds up. After doing some research online this is the fix everyone who had the problem seemed to go with. They said that after adding the washers to distribute the force everything was fine. It also seems that Hobie corrected the problem with the 2010 boats and added 2 points of contact for more support. You guys with the 2010 models may also want to check your though. Hope this is of help. Only took about 15 min to fix. Wish I would have known before and I would have added the washers ahead of time. Let me know if ya have any questions. Would hate to see someone crack the side of their hull.

[ReelThrill]

Here is a link on the Hobie forum about the problem

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=78&t=27216

[Hobie1Kenobie]

Thanks for the heads up. I will be sure to check it out before my next trip.

[FishTales]

Recently had the same problem but mine did crack. Not only had to reinstall but had to repair the crack. Not the prettiest repair job but worked. And yes I was very unhappy with what was a bad design in my opinion. On mine the screw was a countersunk flat head which meant even less thickness plastic to hold it. The pulley on mine was made for two screws. After looking at a 2010 realized they are the same. Contacted Hobie about this and they changed the design two surface mount screws. They sent me the screws and the locking nuts. I went one step further and put fender washers behind the inside of the hull to spread the load on the screw hole area.

[ReelThrill]

Thats pretty much how I fixed mine fishtales. I went to lowes and got what I needed and did it in about 15 min. I would suggest that everyone who owns a PA check theirs out. Seems like it is only a matter of time before it happens. This is the first problem I have had with my boat, I still love it but wish Hobie would have made owners aware of the problem so it could be fixed beforehand. Sorry to hear that yours cracked fishtales.