I am interested in buying a 1983 34' and understand that the rudder installed in 83 was and is undersized for the boat. Is this truely a problem and if so what options are available to fix this problem? Is a replacement rudder offered and if so by whom?
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Rudder Upgrade
I recently bought a Hunter 34 and researched the "rudder issue". The original rudder was undersized. Hunter realized that half way through 1983, and many of the 1983's (and all 1984's and later) have the larger "performance" rudder that replaced the original. Once Hunter changed the rudder on the new boats, they offered a free upgrade to any owner that already had the smaller rudder. For this reason, most of the 34's out there have the larger rudder, even if they originally came with the smaller one. Your more likely bigger concerns about a '34 surround the compression post problems, which have been discussed extensively on this site and are in the archives. (PS: I left Wisconsin in December to buy my boat here in my new home in Florida. The sailing season is too short up there to properly enjoy your boat.)
I recently bought a Hunter 34 and researched the "rudder issue". The original rudder was undersized. Hunter realized that half way through 1983, and many of the 1983's (and all 1984's and later) have the larger "performance" rudder that replaced the original. Once Hunter changed the rudder on the new boats, they offered a free upgrade to any owner that already had the smaller rudder. For this reason, most of the 34's out there have the larger rudder, even if they originally came with the smaller one. Your more likely bigger concerns about a '34 surround the compression post problems, which have been discussed extensively on this site and are in the archives. (PS: I left Wisconsin in December to buy my boat here in my new home in Florida. The sailing season is too short up there to properly enjoy your boat.)
Stalling is the Problem
The problem with the shorter rudder is it can stall under heavy load which means you loose steerage. This happened to me on a friends Cascade (home built) boat as we entered Santa Cruz harbor on a typical windy summer afternoon day and as we approached the breakwater riprap it got really exciting - frantically shortening sail to reduce power and therefor loading on the rudder. I'll bet a call to Hunter will give you the rudder length dimensions (long or short) so you can tell what you have. As I remember the length difference between long and short was about 6-inches.
The problem with the shorter rudder is it can stall under heavy load which means you loose steerage. This happened to me on a friends Cascade (home built) boat as we entered Santa Cruz harbor on a typical windy summer afternoon day and as we approached the breakwater riprap it got really exciting - frantically shortening sail to reduce power and therefor loading on the rudder. I'll bet a call to Hunter will give you the rudder length dimensions (long or short) so you can tell what you have. As I remember the length difference between long and short was about 6-inches.
34 Rudder
Make sure you check for any signs of rust around where the Rudder post enters the top of the blade. IF SO CHECK FOR DELAMINATION AND POSSIBLE CRACKED RUDDER POST INSIDE BLADE. I don't think you will find a short rudder any more just weak rudder stock. Call me if you want more info, I know a lot about the 31 & 34 Rod 616-455-6143
Make sure you check for any signs of rust around where the Rudder post enters the top of the blade. IF SO CHECK FOR DELAMINATION AND POSSIBLE CRACKED RUDDER POST INSIDE BLADE. I don't think you will find a short rudder any more just weak rudder stock. Call me if you want more info, I know a lot about the 31 & 34 Rod 616-455-6143
I Upgraded my '83 H34 Rudder: Detail Below
Bottom line -> Foss Foam in Florida still has the mold to make the correct rudder for your boat. Hunter won't help you. I sent my original rudder to Foss. They removed the fiberglass and foam then used my stainless post in the new mold. Cost was $800-900. My original rudder (hull#56) was about 11 inches wide at the bottom. The new one is about 16". I'm not sure if it is any deeper but it certainly is bigger and improves control in high wind. By now the original 17 year old rudder is likely toast anyway. Mine had water inside which froze and cracked several times during winter storage in New England. It difficult to dry 'em out and make lasting repairs - been there, done that! If you like the boat and plan to keep it invest in a new rudder. Barry s/v "PER DIEM too"
Bottom line -> Foss Foam in Florida still has the mold to make the correct rudder for your boat. Hunter won't help you. I sent my original rudder to Foss. They removed the fiberglass and foam then used my stainless post in the new mold. Cost was $800-900. My original rudder (hull#56) was about 11 inches wide at the bottom. The new one is about 16". I'm not sure if it is any deeper but it certainly is bigger and improves control in high wind. By now the original 17 year old rudder is likely toast anyway. Mine had water inside which froze and cracked several times during winter storage in New England. It difficult to dry 'em out and make lasting repairs - been there, done that! If you like the boat and plan to keep it invest in a new rudder. Barry s/v "PER DIEM too"
Maybe it was width
It was back around '85 or '86 when I was looking at getting a H-34 so maybe the dimensional difference in the rudder was the width and not the length. If there is some confusion there I appologize. This was about the time when the 34 production line ceased and the 35 started up, which is what we eventually wound up with. Time flies when you're having fun! We really liked the 34 - the dinette table would have made a good chart table. They sail really good too!
It was back around '85 or '86 when I was looking at getting a H-34 so maybe the dimensional difference in the rudder was the width and not the length. If there is some confusion there I appologize. This was about the time when the 34 production line ceased and the 35 started up, which is what we eventually wound up with. Time flies when you're having fun! We really liked the 34 - the dinette table would have made a good chart table. They sail really good too!
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