1978 H25 rudder question

[rwittenburg]

When I purchased my boat last January, I noticed the rudder post has slipped down about 5 inches from what I see in other 25 photos. The '78s has the rudder coming out of a fiberglass 'platform' which is part of the rear cockpit. In all the photos I see, there is about 5 inches sticking up out of the fiberglass but mine is down right against it and the top of the rudder is down from the hull about 5 inches. I found part of a composite ring in the cockpit which is the same size as the rudder post so figured it played a role in the original configuration. How/what holds the rudder in the up position, and what's involved in dropping the rudder if need be?
thanks in advance for any answers
Robert

 

[Ed Schenck]

If you use "Search" and then "rudder" with "H25" there are quite a few posts. Here is one: http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=716357&highlight=rudder . Looks like you might have lost a bushing. And it seems they are easy and inexpensive to make. But I am sure an H25 owner will weigh in. Maybe even John Cherubini who is an owner.

 

[rwittenburg]

Bushing

Thanks for the replies. Seems like the bushing would need to be 5 inches if that was all that's needed to get the rudder back into place. It still swivels fine, just need it higher.

If you use "Search" and then "rudder" with "H25" there are quite a few posts. Here is one: http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=716357&highlight=rudder . Looks like you might have lost a bushing. And it seems they are easy and inexpensive to make. But I am sure an H25 owner will weigh in. Maybe even John Cherubini who is an owner.

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

H25 rudder

I just looked at mine today (before I'd even seen your post, rwittenburg!). A while ago I had lifted up and rebedded the fiberglass plate around the deck because it leaked and the rudder never fell out, so I was left wondering till now. It has a collar about 5/8" high round the top of the rudder shaft like a kind of bearing under the tiller fitting. I discovered that it seems to be ONE sheet-metal screw through the collar into the rudder post (and mine looks like it's half sticking out). As far as I know that's what holds it up.

The '78 ('Mk 2' boat) is a little different in that your rudder stock stands up higher off the cockpit seat than mine does. I don't know why that was done (mine looks cooler-- and is probably stronger). But that might be the the 5 inches you mention. If your tiller head is within an inch or two of the plate on the deck/seat then you may be missing the collar or the screw for it. I would rig a tackle to catch the rudder should it drop out and then fix this out of the water as soon as you can. (Please don't ask me where to get a new rudder. I could make a mold off of mine and build a new one... but it'll cost ya! )

I already decided I will prop up the rudder, remove the tiller head, and drill out the collar and the shaft, straight through, and install a 1/8" clevis pin. I don't like how it appears to be fastened now and though the rudder assembly is the one thing on the whole boat that has never given trouble, I am going to improve it. (This is what I do when I have so much money and time on my hands... no, wait. I don't have either. I just do it anyway.)