Rudder Movement

[declan]

I have a Hunter 430,1996.
I am concerned about the movement at the bottom of the rudder when I "wiggle"it.
The movement is about a half to three quarters of an inch.
It is working perfectly and you would not know it by steering or looking at the top of the rudder.
I was wondering if there is an acceptable degree of movement before I change the bearings.
Any suggestions welcome.
Declan

 

[John T1594]

Rudder post play

I don't know how to interpret play at the bottom of the rudder when you wiggle it - but the advice we get most from Hunter and others is that the rudder post - at the top of the rudder - should have something less than 1/8" play when moved in any direction.

What do others have to say?

 

[declan]

Hi John,
Thank you for your reply.
On a point of clarification when the boat is out of the water I grab the bottom of the rudder and move it sideways.
The rudder moves about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch as measured at the bottom.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Gerry

 

[Paul Mermelstein]

Seems excessive play. On my Beneteau, I have less than that and will replace the bushings to tighten things up.

 

[Don Lucas]

On a 4' long rudder, 0.5" of play at the bottom is only 0.0026" of play

 

[kmatthews]

Hi all. I see this is an old thread but just hauled out my 1996 Hunter 430 and have the same play in the rudder. About an 1/8 inch at the rudder post. There is no play longitudinally (bow the stern) but there is some as mentioned above, laterally. Beam wise.

Did we determine that is normal? I also have no abnormal symptoms at the helm underway.

Thank you

Kenny

 

[Terry Cox]

Wrote an article awhile ago regarding Hunter rudder play. Have posted it several times over the years, again here: https://hunter.sailboatowners.com/mods.php?task=article&mid=45&aid=6617&mn=42

 

[kmatthews]

Wrote an article awhile ago regarding Hunter rudder play. Have posted it several times over the years, again here: https://hunter.sailboatowners.com/mods.php?task=article&mid=45&aid=6617&mn=42

Thank you very much Terry I appreciate the response. Sorry you have to repost all over. Dr Google brought me to this one.

Kenny

 

[Terry Cox]

You are welcome, Kenny. No trouble at all. Hope it is of some help.

 

[JamesG161]

You can get the H430 rudder bearing shop drawings from Hunter documents or from me if you need them.

Perhaps the Ultra High Molecular Weight [UHMW polyethylene] bearings could have worn "sided to side" [S-S] and not "fore and aft" [F-A] , since the force of the rudder on the post is mainly S-S is a good heel.

But to wear evenly enough to equal play S-S seems dubious.

Have you checked your Rudder wheel under the deck of the Captain's seat?

Do you have Auto Pilot?
Jim...

PS: Our H430 rudder only has ≈26° swing S-S