Has any 240/260 owners replaced the rudder with the ones sold at the chandlery on this web page? If you have, was it worth it? Have you noticed any improvement?
- Status
I have one
on my 260, and it failed at a most unpleasent time. I would recommend that you NOT get it, a waist of money. The manufacture did replace the broken rudder overnight but it put a damper on a vacation and a $800 towing bill. It now is a very expensive spare rudder. I saw no improvement in handling and since it floats, keeping the ridder locked in the down position is harder. Here is a picture of the broken rudder
on my 260, and it failed at a most unpleasent time. I would recommend that you NOT get it, a waist of money. The manufacture did replace the broken rudder overnight but it put a damper on a vacation and a $800 towing bill. It now is a very expensive spare rudder. I saw no improvement in handling and since it floats, keeping the ridder locked in the down position is harder. Here is a picture of the broken rudder
Ron -
There's been a lot of feedback on the Idasail rudder that's available in the chandlery here - most of it positive. Look in the archives. Be sure you get feedback from 240 owners on rudder issues, if that is the model you have. Hunter put the same rudder on the 240 and the 260. The latter boats have had legendary rudder problems. I am not aware of any widespread problems with the 240, which I own. Bottom line, the factory and/or Idasail rudders were under-designed for the 260, a larger and heavier vessel. That is why they snap at the "most unpleasant time" - under stress. Good luck with your research.
There's been a lot of feedback on the Idasail rudder that's available in the chandlery here - most of it positive. Look in the archives. Be sure you get feedback from 240 owners on rudder issues, if that is the model you have. Hunter put the same rudder on the 240 and the 260. The latter boats have had legendary rudder problems. I am not aware of any widespread problems with the 240, which I own. Bottom line, the factory and/or Idasail rudders were under-designed for the 260, a larger and heavier vessel. That is why they snap at the "most unpleasant time" - under stress. Good luck with your research.
I have one on a 260
and I am very satisfied with it. It's about 4 years old and no problems. Easier to raise and lower than the stock rudder, It's neutral bouyancy, not positive so it lowers into place easier. It is not foam filled, so if you scratch it up on the bottom or the boat ramp it does not get waterlogged. I have had mine in some VERY stressful conditions on the Sea of Cortez and have had no failures. Trim your boat properly so your not fighting it all the time and it won't break. Search the archives and you will find tons of threads on 240/260 rudders. It appears that the stock ones are not so great.
and I am very satisfied with it. It's about 4 years old and no problems. Easier to raise and lower than the stock rudder, It's neutral bouyancy, not positive so it lowers into place easier. It is not foam filled, so if you scratch it up on the bottom or the boat ramp it does not get waterlogged. I have had mine in some VERY stressful conditions on the Sea of Cortez and have had no failures. Trim your boat properly so your not fighting it all the time and it won't break. Search the archives and you will find tons of threads on 240/260 rudders. It appears that the stock ones are not so great.
Reudi, Just for your information
my 260 standing rigging was tuned with a loose gauge that morning, was motoring at the time of the brake, sea was just about flat (less than 2 ft), but there was a 4kt cross current. I'll watch out for that next time, LOL...... Ron you make up your own mind, just be informed that all is not roses. If you do get the above mentioned rudder get the shorter one and keep the orginial rudder on board as an instant replacement. John USN ret.
my 260 standing rigging was tuned with a loose gauge that morning, was motoring at the time of the brake, sea was just about flat (less than 2 ft), but there was a 4kt cross current. I'll watch out for that next time, LOL...... Ron you make up your own mind, just be informed that all is not roses. If you do get the above mentioned rudder get the shorter one and keep the orginial rudder on board as an instant replacement. John USN ret.
Ida Sailor Rudder
Ron I replaced my original rudder with an ida sailor rudder two seasons ago. I replaced it because a car smashed the other while my boat was on the trailer. I dont by the hype about it adding performance. I race and am happy with the performance but did not notice a gain over the standard rudder from foss. I replaced mine with the deepest rudder they offer for the 260 even though its on a 240. Their 240 rudder is shorter than the origanl rudder from foss. I didn't want to give up anything going to winward in a blow. I felt a shorter rudder would loose contact with the water quicker going to winward in heavy air causing the boat to spin out. From a maitenence standpoint I think its far superior to the original rudder. No chance of water intrusion. I sail my boat hard and have had no problems. Just like any products sometimes you find a defect. There must have been a production problem with the one in the picture. I'm glad to hear the company replaced it. I'd buy one again. Just my 2 cents Sean Coerse 98 H240 "Right Coerse"
Ron I replaced my original rudder with an ida sailor rudder two seasons ago. I replaced it because a car smashed the other while my boat was on the trailer. I dont by the hype about it adding performance. I race and am happy with the performance but did not notice a gain over the standard rudder from foss. I replaced mine with the deepest rudder they offer for the 260 even though its on a 240. Their 240 rudder is shorter than the origanl rudder from foss. I didn't want to give up anything going to winward in a blow. I felt a shorter rudder would loose contact with the water quicker going to winward in heavy air causing the boat to spin out. From a maitenence standpoint I think its far superior to the original rudder. No chance of water intrusion. I sail my boat hard and have had no problems. Just like any products sometimes you find a defect. There must have been a production problem with the one in the picture. I'm glad to hear the company replaced it. I'd buy one again. Just my 2 cents Sean Coerse 98 H240 "Right Coerse"
H240/260 Rudder
This subject has almost been talked to death but for newer members of the forum you should remember the rudder is attached to stuff on the boat. I'd rather have the rudder snap off than sustain damage to the pintle and other parts of the transom. That said, IdaSailor has two lengths of the rudder and the company claims the shorter 48" rudder works as well as the 54" inch rudder. I have a spare stock rudder and I'm considering cutting 6" off one of them to see if it makes much difference. More on this subject at: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/rudder/rudder.html
This subject has almost been talked to death but for newer members of the forum you should remember the rudder is attached to stuff on the boat. I'd rather have the rudder snap off than sustain damage to the pintle and other parts of the transom. That said, IdaSailor has two lengths of the rudder and the company claims the shorter 48" rudder works as well as the 54" inch rudder. I have a spare stock rudder and I'm considering cutting 6" off one of them to see if it makes much difference. More on this subject at: http://kobernus.com/hunter260/rudder/rudder.html
- Status