I ordered new spacers for the rudder housing today from the chanderly here . It seems to me that the rudder is much heavier than the rudder to our 23 . Is this the case or are they pretty much the same . The rudder has been out of the water for a long time . Could it have water inside that I don't know about ? Also going to order new running rigging and notice several different colors available . Any thoughts on practical uses for specific colors ? Thanks Mike
23.5 Rudder
- Thread starter mmsailor
- Start date
Hunter 23.5 rudder
while attempting to wrestle this poorly designed rudder into position. As for the rigging, My boat still has the original blue/white main halyard and the red/white jib halyard and white no stretch centerboard up-haul. Fair Winds and Good luck !
The rudder on the 23.5 is really heavy. It is solid fiberglass with some steel in it for strength. To pull it up while you are in the boat is a real challenge to accomplish alone. First loosen the large wing nut. I put the tiller all the way over to starboard and lash it there and then yank the rudder up-haul line until it is about horizontal to the water and tie off the rudder up-haul line. Then I step out on the transom ledge and lasso the tip of the rudder with a separate line and pull it all the way up and hold it with one hand while I tighten the large wing nut, then straighten the tiller and lash it securely and reset the up-haul line. While moored I always lash a second line around the rudder once or twice around, and tie the ends off at the large cleats at the sides of the deck. I keep the swim ladder down when doing all of this as I have fallen in the water
while attempting to wrestle this poorly designed rudder into position. As for the rigging, My boat still has the original blue/white main halyard and the red/white jib halyard and white no stretch centerboard up-haul. Fair Winds and Good luck !Attachments
The rudders have a foam interior and are not solid fiberglass. If they were solid fiberglass, then you would need a winch to bring it up. Me thinks there is a breach allowing water into the rudder and the construction style foam is waterlogged thus the heavier rudder. Saw too many of them over the years. Suggest looking for the breach, stand the rudder up against a wall with a drain hole or small drill bit drilled into the bottom to allow the water to escape and let dry foe 2-3 weeks and then repair the rudder.
The rudders of the 23 wing keel and 23.5 are different too.
The rudders of the 23 wing keel and 23.5 are different too.
When you say drill a drain hole do you man near the botton thru the side or do you mean into the very bottom pointing up .? There is a small crease in the very bottom but from the crease in does not appear to go thru but can't be sure . I could drill a hole and let it drain and then fill with the watertight I am going to use on the transom .
What you are trying to do is stand the rudder upright and allow water to seep from it at the bottom, not thru the top or head of the motor. If there is a split at the bottom between the two halves that will suffice. Do not put it outside in direct sunlight either. It will take about two weeks. No split or damage at the bottom, I use to drill a small hole at the bottom. If this does not explain, get back in touch with me personally.
dave condon
dave condon
Huh ?
Why not put it out in sunlight ? It is in sunlight all year round. Please explain.
"not thru the top or head of the motor" ....What motor ???
Why not put it out in sunlight ? It is in sunlight all year round. Please explain.
Tidal waters
Ha Ha ....The boat is moored in 15 feet of water at high tide and sits on the sand at low tide. That's due to tides here.
Mike in CC is right about raising the rudder to horizontal and then tying a loop in a line to raise the rudder blade to the upright vertical position. How ever rather thn stan on the "sugar scoop" use a long book hook to put the loop over the rudder blade in the horizontal position. Then its easy to bring the blade up with out the risk of going for a swim.
Should read rather than stand on the sugar scoop... and use a long boat hook
Kind regards
Hugh
ok I goofed as I meant to say rudder. I respond to so many and often with trying to repair a house to sell, build a new home, logging, helping out with the new grandson, responding sometimes 1-2 hours a day to help others, advocate for the elderly and so on, I do get tired and sometimes I goof. Ok it is rudder what I mentioned to. If any rudder is painted with anti fouling paint under no circumstances leave it out in the sun for any long length of time when it is hot or you will see damage occurring to include splits due to heat build up inside the rudder.