Hobie Quest 13 User manual

Rudder Kit

Assembly

Instructions

for Quest 13

Revised 4/2/2015 78501

Rudder System

The Hobie Quest is designed for the addition of an optional

rudder system. Rudder systems in boats like this allow you to

adjust the steering trim of your boat when paddling in high

wind or strong current conditions. Use the following

instructions to install your new rudder kit.

Rudder Kit Contents

1. (1) Twist-n-stow rudder with lines

2. (1) Mounting Bracket

3. (2) Long Steering Line Assemblies

4. (2) Short Steering Line Tubes

6. (1) Drill Bit

7. (1) Jam Cleat

8. (1) Bag of Screws, Nuts, and a Well Nut

9. (2) Plastic Hooks

10. (1) Packet of Loctite®

11. (1) Padeye

Drilling the Steering Line Holes

We have supplied with this kit the proper drill bit size that is

needed to install all the steering lines. You will need to drill 4

holes (2 in the cockpit and 2 at the stern of the boat - see

picture below for reference). Drill at the indicated locations.

Locations vary slightly depending on model year. Disregard the

recessed area in the center on newer models.

Stern Holes

3. Open the 8” center hatch and reach inside the hull for the

line and tube you just installed. Pull the line up to the hatch so

that can see it.

4. Take the end of the line back inside the hull and feed it

through the forward hole you drilled.

Take that end and feed it into the end without the plastic fitting.

In order to get the end of the line through the tube you need to

twist and push the line at the same time to work it through. If

you are having difficulty with this step, try running a piece of

thread through the short tube and tie it to the end of the

steering line. Then pull the thread and it should pull the

steering line with it. Once you get the line through, tie a knot

on the end so it doesn’t accidentally get pulled back through

the tube. Continue to feed the short piece of the stiff tubing

into the hole until the plastic cap is flush with the kayak

surface.

2. Once you feed in the line up to the hard tubing, push the

hard tubing into the hole and feed it all the way in. Give a firm

push to get the end with the plastic fitting up against the kayak.

Installing the Steering Lines

1. In your kit there are 2 long pieces of tubing with the line

running though them. Push the line coming out of the end of

the tube with out a plastic fitting into one of the holes you

drilled in the stern of the boat.

Forward Holes

Choosing the correct Rudder-Bracket

We have supplied two different rudder brackets with the Quest

13 kit. One will fit older quest models, while the other will fit the

newer. Choose the correct bracket that matches up with the

two molded inserts on the stern of the boat. Once you have

found the desired bracket, proceed to installation.

Older Models Newer Model

Stern Holes Newer Model

Installing the Rudder-Bracket

There are two molded-in inserts at the stern of the boat that

are intended for mounting the rudder bracket. If your boat has

seen some use prior to installing the bracket, be sure to wash

out the holes in the inserts to remove any sand that may have

collected in the threads.

1. Orient the bracket on the

back of the boat with the longer

bend of the bracket at the top.

2. Place a couple drops of

Loctite ® onto the 1/2” machine

screw threads, then thread them

in until the bracket is tight

against the hull.

Installing the Rudder Lift Cleat

A cleat needs to be installed that holds the line when the

rudder is in the up position.

1. On the right-rear paddle holder, you will

notice a flat spot on top with 2 holes. Place

the cleat on this flat as shown below.

2. Using a screwdriver, thread in the 3/4”

sheet metal screws until the bracket is tight against the hull.

Do not overtighten the screws!

Installing the Steering Pedals

Important Note: Earlier models of the Quest have slightly

different design elements for accepting this rudder

package. See the pictures and descriptions below to find

out which instructions you need to reference.

If you have two pulleys on

the pedals...go to the

current model pedal

installation instructions

below

If you have one pulley at

the top of the pedal...go to

the older model pedal

installation instructions on

the following page.

Current Model Pedal Installation Instructions

1. Run the lines that are coming out of the side of the cockpit

through the pulley at the top of the pedal, down the back of the

pedal, and through the pulley at the bottom of the pedal. Do

this to the pedals on both sides of the kayak.

2. There is a screw that is threaded into a brass insert on the

forward wall of the foot wells. Back the screw a few threads so

that there is a small gap between the head of the screw and

the kayak. Take the end of the steering line, pull it under the

screw head and wrap it around the screw a couple of times.

Do not tighten down the screw yet...there are a couple things

that you need to look at.

By pulling on each of the steering lines, you will notice that the

rudder will turn left and right. Balance the pull on each line so

that the rudder is centered. Also, the pedals should be tilting

slightly forward, or to whatever is most comfortable for you.

Once you have everything set just right, tighten down the

screw on the footwell to hold the line in place. Now get inside

the kayak to see if it is comfortable for you. The steering

system can be fine tuned to fit all kayakers. Proceed to the

section on Up/Down Control Line Installation.

Mounting Your Rudder and Attaching the Steering Lines

1. Locate the holes on the

rudder over the holes on the

steel bracket that is attached to

the stern. Pass the pastic pin

through all of the parts to lock

the rudder onto the boat. Make

sure that the pin is all the way in.

2. Take the left side steering line and pass

it through the hole in the bolt which holds

the rudder together. Once the end comes

through the top, tie a small knot at the end

of the line to prevent it from falling back

through the hole.

3. Take the right side steering line and

pass it through the hole on the right side

steering arm. As you did with the left

steering line, tie a small knot at the end of

the line to prevent it from falling back

through the hole.

4. To fasten the

steering lines, wrap the

ends of the lines around

the screws and tighen

them down to clamp on

the line.

Older Model Pedal Installation Instructions

The difference between older and current models of the Quest

is the pedal design. New pedals are included with this kit for

you to install.

1. Remove the old pedal assembly from your kayak by

unscrewing all screws holding the pedal to

the kayak (see picture below).

2. Install the new pedals to the locking tracks in the kayak.

Make sure the the pullies on the pedal are facing forward and

are located closest to the outer walls of the cockpit.

3. Install the ends of the pedal Bungee cord with the 1/2”

Sheet Metal Screws.

4. Once the ends of the Bungee cord are attached, stretch the

cord forward and install the “two holed fittings.” You will want

to make sure that the hole in the kayak is big enough for the

screw. If the hole needs to be bigger, use the drill bit provided

in this kit. Install the screw though the two holed fitting and

through the boat. Use the Bungee hook as a nut for the screw

to thread into (this hook also functions as an anchor to tie a

lanyard to.)

5. Place the pedal in the forward-most position and adjust the

angle so that the pedal is vertical. Using a marker, place an

“X” on the kayak just infront of the bottom pulley on the pedals.

This will be your center location to drill a hole for the

attachment of the steering line. If there is a brass insert in

this location, you do not need to drill a hole.

6. Insert the screw though the hole and place the washer and

nut on the other side. Leave the screw a little loose so that

you can run the steering line underneath the screw head. If a

brass inserts is located in this position, use the screw

installed in the insert instead of the longer screw, nut and

washer.

7. Run the lines that are coming out of the side of the cockpit

through the pulley at the top of the pedal, down the back of the

pedal, and through the pulley at the bottom of the pedal. Do

this to the pedals on both sides of the kayak.

Hook

By pulling on each of the steering lines, you will notice that the

rudder will turn left and right. Balance the pull on each line so

that the rudder is centered. Also, the pedals should be tilting

slightly forward, or to whatever is most comfortable for you.

Once you have everything set just right, tighten down the

screw and nut on the footwell to hold the line in place. Now

get inside the kayak to see if it is comfortable for you. The

steering system can be fine tuned to fit all kayakers. Proceed

to the section on Using the Rudder on the water.

Using the Rudder on the Water

Once all your steering lines are trimmed, you are ready for the

water. The rudder operation is very simple. By rolling the right

pedal forward, you turn right. Rolling the left pedal forward will

make you turn left. It typically requires very little turn in the

rudder to help you maintain a straight course in a strong

crosswind or current.

If it feels like your steering is somewhat loose, you probably

need to re-tension your steering lines at the forward

attachment points.

Up/ Down Control Line Installation

1. Drill a 3/8” hole on the right

side of the boat approximately 25”

from the stern. The hole should

be located right in the groove of

the sides and in line with a two-

holed fitting that the rear cago

bungee passes through.

2. Press the well nut into the hole and

thread the two holed fitting to the nut.

As you keep threaded in the screw, the

well nut expands and tightens around

the 3/8” hole. It takes roughly 25-30

revolutions of the screw to completely

tighen down. Make sure that the

lines coming from the rudder are

not twisted around each other before tightening down.

3. Pull the Bungee cord section of the line forward so that it

makes the lines straight without twisting around each other.

Stretch the cord a little to remove any slack in the sytem and

place the padeye over the Bungee to hold it to the hull. Use

the two holes in the padeye as a guide to mark two holes for

fastening. Drill a 3/16” hole in these two spots. The padeye

should be located in a spot so that it doesn’t interfere with

the paddle when it is in the holder.

4. Through bolt the padeye in this location by reaching in

through the hatch and using the nuts and washers.

Rudder Up/ Down Operation

1. The Quest rudder system

follows the same operation as

most traditional kayak rudders.

Simply pull on the rear most

knot to make the rudder go

through an up or down

operation.

2. Jam the line into the cleat to hold

the rudder in up or down position.

Other manuals for Quest 13

Table of contents

Popular Boat manuals by other brands

Raymarine

Raymarine ST70 Instrument User reference handbook

Pro-Line Boats

Pro-Line Boats Pro Line 19 Sport owner's manual

Jeanneau

Jeanneau CAP CAMARAT 8.5 CC owner's manual

Tiara Yachts

Tiara Yachts C49 2024 owner's manual

Monterey Boats

Monterey Boats Sport Yacht 330 owner's manual

J 105 owner's manual

PURSUIT

PURSUIT OS 335 owner's manual

Boston Whaler

Boston Whaler CONQUEST 345 owner's manual

Jeanneau

Jeanneau SUN ODYSSEY 41 DS owner's manual

Meridian

Meridian 490 Pilothouse owner's manual

Advanced Elements

Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Expedition AE1009 owner's manual

Robo Marine Indonesia

Robo Marine Indonesia GEOMAR user manual

Swallow Boats

Swallow Boats BayRaider owner's manual

Intex

Intex Excursion 5 Set manual

X SHORE

X SHORE EELEX 8000 owner's manual

ISLAND PACKET

ISLAND PACKET 370 owner's manual

Sea Ray

Sea Ray 175 Sport owner's manual

Regal

Regal 2300 owner's manual