240 Broken Rudder Bracket

[hunter240]

Yesterday was out sailing in 15-20 knt wind when I heard a loud crack. Long story short the stainless bracket that holds the rudder in place got bent. It looks like the weld that holds the bracket to the rudder post failed first, then the bracket bent. Has this happened to anybody else on a 240 or 260. Do you think I have any recourse with Hunter to get a new bracket? Casn this be an insurance claim?

 

[soling42]

Didn't the 240 and 260 go out of production in 2006? If so I doubt that either the factory or an insurance claim would hold water. Call the company for a price on parts. I'm surprised the rudder didn't break. Stuff gets torn up when you start sailing these boats in 20kts but it can sure be fun if you know the boats limits.

Good luck. Mike

 

[sailrj2847]

H260 rudder bracket failure- Had the same thing to happen to my 260 rudder bracket a couple of years back. Called Hunter and got a quote of over $700.00 for a new bracket and 90+ day delivery. Hunter was no help and they had never heard of this?????? I know of at least 6 more failures.
Plan B- Took the damaged bracket to a weld shop. We came up with a design using the old rudder with reinforcement brackets on the side of the original. Don't have any photos (she's in the water for another month) but its far superior to the original and no more problems. They only charged $200.00.