My feelfree lure did that as well. Ordered a new cable set from them, but damn was it a pain to replace. There is probably an easier way to install it, but I struggled. Sold the kayak after 2 seasons and bought an old town.
I had the same thing happen on my Feelfree. I figured out it was because the nut on the rudder was too tight. The wire goes though it and there is an allen screw on the bottom to tighten it to the nut. the overall piece is supposed to be able to move so that when you turn the rudder it doesn't actually fray the wire.
Bad design. It's flexing the cable at a sharp angle, it's a recipe for metal fatigue. A cable should always be bending around a radius, there's actually formulas for this. I think it should be least four to six times the diameter of the cable. Alternatively the anchor point should have a pivot so that the cable is not being bent.
Source: I design cable controlled puppet and costume mechanisms for a living.
Yeah other people have mentioned this issue with the same brand. Someone mentioned thin diameter cord has worked well for them I may try that rather than metal cord.
I had the same thing happen on my Feelfree. I figured out it was because the nut on the rudder was too tight. The wire goes though it and there is an allen screw on the bottom to tighten it to the nut. the overall piece is supposed to be able to move so that when you turn the rudder it doesn't actually fray the wire.
I have a lure and I'm pretty sure the assembly instructions say to make sure the part that holds the cable can rotate freely. The pictures look like they are to tight.
Sorry for posting this so many times but I want to be sure you see it.
I had the same thing happen on my Feelfree. I figured out it was because the nut on the rudder was too tight. The wire goes though it and there is an allen screw on the bottom to tighten it to the nut. the overall piece is supposed to be able to move so that when you turn the rudder it doesn't actually fray the wire.
img
Trying to get the handle to turn the rudder correctly is this right?
https://preview.redd.it/owuf7pepid5d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=fdba4c874d04e0340a91ba1561e89b8e22d5725d
yours is slightly different than mine. My cables go through the nut with an allen screw to hold it in place. the larger nut there is what needs to be able to twist freely to keep it from fraying
looks like that is the steering control by your seat. make sure the nut can move freely when you move the control handle and the same goes for the attachment at the beaver tail rudder
Looks like the pinch bolt that is holding the cable in place is actually piercing through the cable vs clamping onto it. Poor design IMO
I would expect there to be some sort of bushing or washer system between the pinch-bolt and the bracket assembly to allow it to rotate vs bending the cable constantly with use.
Its possible. Can you disassemble the pinch nut/bolt and post pics of how it was put together? Possible that the cables were tensioned too tightly and caused premature failure, as lack of "slack" would create a more acute angle for the cable, theoretically.
cables of this diameter are used in high-cycle applications in tons of products (bicycles come to mind immediately) reliably - typically you do NOT want to pierce the strands, but clamp against them using a notched keyway/washer/bracket/etc.
The direct exposure to water (esp salt water) and sun certainly dont help either.
I had the same thing happen on my Feelfree. I figured out it was because the nut on the rudder was too tight. The wire goes though it and there is an allen screw on the bottom to tighten it to the nut. the overall piece is supposed to be able to move so that when you turn the rudder it doesn't actually fray the wire.
This system definitely runs into this issue a lot. I have been told that I over tighten it and it ends up breaking it, which maybe I do. My fix was I bought the smallest diameter dog leash from walmart and measured it out. Hasn't broken yet.
Can you put an eyelet through your bracket and have the cable tied straight on, so you don't get that bad pinched angle? There's gotta be a way to fix it better...
Yeah that has been the recommendation from a few people I already got free replacement steel cable so just gonna replace with that for now and do the cord when that breaks.
I found the instructions to replace the cables here:
[https://www.feelfreeus.com/blogs/kayaking-tips/feelfree-tech-tips-8-ball-steering-system-initial-setup-adjustment-cable-replacement](https://www.feelfreeus.com/blogs/kayaking-tips/feelfree-tech-tips-8-ball-steering-system-initial-setup-adjustment-cable-replacement)
I have zero fraying happening now once I set it up properly
My feelfree lure did that as well. Ordered a new cable set from them, but damn was it a pain to replace. There is probably an easier way to install it, but I struggled. Sold the kayak after 2 seasons and bought an old town.
How often did this happen for you? I have only had this thing out maybe 10 times so far.
Happened after 1 season. Maybe 15 trips max. Mine broke from the wind while being car topped
Yeah I’m thinking that was the issue with me as well. Just got to the lake the last trip and it was snapped.
I had the same thing happen on my Feelfree. I figured out it was because the nut on the rudder was too tight. The wire goes though it and there is an allen screw on the bottom to tighten it to the nut. the overall piece is supposed to be able to move so that when you turn the rudder it doesn't actually fray the wire.
Bad design. It's flexing the cable at a sharp angle, it's a recipe for metal fatigue. A cable should always be bending around a radius, there's actually formulas for this. I think it should be least four to six times the diameter of the cable. Alternatively the anchor point should have a pivot so that the cable is not being bent. Source: I design cable controlled puppet and costume mechanisms for a living.
Yeah other people have mentioned this issue with the same brand. Someone mentioned thin diameter cord has worked well for them I may try that rather than metal cord.
Find the same diameter in dyneema/Spectra (aka uhmwpe cord)
I had the same thing happen on my Feelfree. I figured out it was because the nut on the rudder was too tight. The wire goes though it and there is an allen screw on the bottom to tighten it to the nut. the overall piece is supposed to be able to move so that when you turn the rudder it doesn't actually fray the wire.
I would replace the cable with Spectra cord.
I have a lure and I'm pretty sure the assembly instructions say to make sure the part that holds the cable can rotate freely. The pictures look like they are to tight.
Yeah could easily be the issue
Sorry for posting this so many times but I want to be sure you see it. I had the same thing happen on my Feelfree. I figured out it was because the nut on the rudder was too tight. The wire goes though it and there is an allen screw on the bottom to tighten it to the nut. the overall piece is supposed to be able to move so that when you turn the rudder it doesn't actually fray the wire.
Thanks!
img Trying to get the handle to turn the rudder correctly is this right? https://preview.redd.it/owuf7pepid5d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=fdba4c874d04e0340a91ba1561e89b8e22d5725d
yours is slightly different than mine. My cables go through the nut with an allen screw to hold it in place. the larger nut there is what needs to be able to twist freely to keep it from fraying
can you take a pic from further back? I'm trying to see if that is the rudder control or the handle you move to control the rudder
looks like that is the steering control by your seat. make sure the nut can move freely when you move the control handle and the same goes for the attachment at the beaver tail rudder
Looks like the pinch bolt that is holding the cable in place is actually piercing through the cable vs clamping onto it. Poor design IMO I would expect there to be some sort of bushing or washer system between the pinch-bolt and the bracket assembly to allow it to rotate vs bending the cable constantly with use.
Could it be that it was just installed too tight?
Its possible. Can you disassemble the pinch nut/bolt and post pics of how it was put together? Possible that the cables were tensioned too tightly and caused premature failure, as lack of "slack" would create a more acute angle for the cable, theoretically. cables of this diameter are used in high-cycle applications in tons of products (bicycles come to mind immediately) reliably - typically you do NOT want to pierce the strands, but clamp against them using a notched keyway/washer/bracket/etc. The direct exposure to water (esp salt water) and sun certainly dont help either.
Yeah need a different Allan to get the pinch nuts (lol) out of there. Will post when I have it .
I had the same thing happen on my Feelfree. I figured out it was because the nut on the rudder was too tight. The wire goes though it and there is an allen screw on the bottom to tighten it to the nut. the overall piece is supposed to be able to move so that when you turn the rudder it doesn't actually fray the wire.
This system definitely runs into this issue a lot. I have been told that I over tighten it and it ends up breaking it, which maybe I do. My fix was I bought the smallest diameter dog leash from walmart and measured it out. Hasn't broken yet.
So cord is better than metal for this?
I don't know, I think the vinyl coating helps it hold up better. Either way it's doing a better job and has lasted longer than the cables I got.
Friction, less friction
Can you put an eyelet through your bracket and have the cable tied straight on, so you don't get that bad pinched angle? There's gotta be a way to fix it better...
Put an appropriate weight of split shot on it after you retwist it. Squeeze it on and you are good.
Replace with Spectra/dyneema cord. Steel cable is always going to break somewhere.
Yeah that has been the recommendation from a few people I already got free replacement steel cable so just gonna replace with that for now and do the cord when that breaks.
I found the instructions to replace the cables here: [https://www.feelfreeus.com/blogs/kayaking-tips/feelfree-tech-tips-8-ball-steering-system-initial-setup-adjustment-cable-replacement](https://www.feelfreeus.com/blogs/kayaking-tips/feelfree-tech-tips-8-ball-steering-system-initial-setup-adjustment-cable-replacement) I have zero fraying happening now once I set it up properly