2000 Hunter 260 Tiller Question

[Drhoppy]

I read on another site that the 260's rudder can be "locked" in the down position while underway with the rudder pin. I've yet to figure out how to do this as the rudder on my boat seems to only lock while in the storage/towing position. When I check the Owner's Manual, there's no indication the rudder can be pinned in the down position.

Was this a model change at some point? If so, does anyone know if I could modify my rudder to do this while underway. The way it's rigged now makes it quite difficult to keep it deployed while underway.

Thanks.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I have no way to tell where you sail. I am not a fan of locking that down with a pin or bolt thru the hole in the rudder housing for that alone. You already have a down haul and tension clamp on the side. The problem would be to lock it down and hit something in the water with the rudder and then you do have problems. Some even use it to lock the rudder in the up position for transport and that will waller out the hole in the rudder after time which I suggested tying the rudder up to the port side of the transom to make sure it would not come down. I learned the hard way taking a H 26 to Maryland for delivery and had a trucker blow his horn only to stop and see a clean sanded rudder against the pavement.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

I agree with Dave.

You may have an after market rudder that does not have the hole drilled in it to lock it down.

You can buy plastic dowels to go through the hole to release the rudder if you do touch bottom. Some sailors like a wooden dowel. They use pins like this to be sure the rudder stays down all the way. If the line holding rudder down stretches in a strong gust you could suddenly develop weather helm because the line stretched causing the rudder to tilt back.

On my 260 I used a downhaul of low stretch line on the rudder secured to a cleat that would release at a preset force. Much easier than trying to replace than a shear pin in shallow water !

Bob