By: Keith Chapman

Hobie-18 rudder castings come in two flavors: Pre-1987 and 1987 on. They’re easy to tell apart, as the newer systems use a plastic cam to hold and release the upper casting, while the older systems use a metal one. Both are supposed to work the same way, with the rudder kicking up when an obstacle is encountered or when the skipper wishes to beach the boat. However, the pre-1987 Hobie-18 rudders have an annoying habit of not releasing or kicking up when you want them to. I’ve even busted a tiller arm or two yanking up on them to try to get a rudder to release. I always had to keep a tool with a long end that I could insert from behind the release cam in order to trip the mechanism whenever things would stick – not very convenient or even safe under some circumstances.

Many Hobie Cats have a rather crude tiller connector mechanism. By tiller connector, we are referring to the point between the rudder arm and the rudder crossbar. This article will illustrate the steps to retrofit other Hobie catamaran models with the advanced Hobie 20 (Miracle) style tiller connection.

The Hobie 20 sports an advanced tiller connection with features of easy disassembly, accurate turning, no binding, and reduced or eliminated slop. All other models, however, have a bolt with spacers, a spring, and a nylon lock nut. The same kit (part number 1953, $104) from Hobie will add these features to the 14, 16, 17, 18, and 21 cruiser.

After purchasing a 1992 Hobie 18 with a white vinyl tramp, which was discolored to the point that it looked beige, I went on a mission to find the right cleaning solution to lift the nasty stains.

Jack Hoying brings us step by step illustrated instructions for building your own catamaran trailer and sail storage tube. The Beachcats mailing list always has lots of discussion about these expensive items, and the ongoing debate of cat box vs. storage tube is never ending. This is one sailors solution that he has agreed to share with us.

Bill Mattson, long-time publisher of the On The Wire Ezine for catamaran sailors at Catsail.com, has announced that he will no longer publish the magazine. He has generously donated all the archives and material from On The Wire to TheBeachcats.com.

I would like to formally thank Mr. Mattson for entrusting the results of years of hard work to TheBeachcats.com. I have added a link to a complete mirror of everything that was on Catsail.com to the main menu of this site. If you never had the pleasure of reading Bill's Ezine in the past, I suggest you take a look now.