About 6 months ago I lost my rudder and purchased a new one through Hunter ($660.00). Now this rudder is cracking at the top. Has anyone else had this experience, and , if so, was Hunter willing to replace the rudder? Thanks.
260 Rudder Question
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H260 Rudder repair
I have had my H260 since last August. The round end where it is attached to the bracket was cracked on center line around the end. I contacted Hunter and sent pictures & they determined that it wasn't bad enough for replacement but to have the dealer fix it. Since I keep my boat on the water about 60 miles north of where my dealer is located in Houston, and I didn't purchase the trailer with the boat, the dealer hasn't had the time or inclination to travel up here to fix it.
I have had my H260 since last August. The round end where it is attached to the bracket was cracked on center line around the end. I contacted Hunter and sent pictures & they determined that it wasn't bad enough for replacement but to have the dealer fix it. Since I keep my boat on the water about 60 miles north of where my dealer is located in Houston, and I didn't purchase the trailer with the boat, the dealer hasn't had the time or inclination to travel up here to fix it.
YES!!
I bought a new 2001 H260 and since that date I've replaced the rudder twice because of splits on the top. Something is wrong with the design or manufacture, but they keep using them.
I bought a new 2001 H260 and since that date I've replaced the rudder twice because of splits on the top. Something is wrong with the design or manufacture, but they keep using them.
Many Rudder Issues
Calvin, I purchased my 2004 H260 last July and I'm now on my third rudder. Same splitting you described across the top. Be careful as mine broke in half while under sail. Hunter should replace the rudder you just purchased. They admit to having a problem with one of their suppliers and this will be no shock to them. The factory rep was very helful and the third rudder has worked well so far. Many people have purchased the idasailor rudder for less than $400 and rave about it. If my third one goes I will be heading to the idasailor site myself. You might want to just try for a refund as the idasailor rudder promises better performance. Check out the archives - loaded with rudder issues.
Calvin, I purchased my 2004 H260 last July and I'm now on my third rudder. Same splitting you described across the top. Be careful as mine broke in half while under sail. Hunter should replace the rudder you just purchased. They admit to having a problem with one of their suppliers and this will be no shock to them. The factory rep was very helful and the third rudder has worked well so far. Many people have purchased the idasailor rudder for less than $400 and rave about it. If my third one goes I will be heading to the idasailor site myself. You might want to just try for a refund as the idasailor rudder promises better performance. Check out the archives - loaded with rudder issues.
H260 rudder
When coming about in high winds my rudder recently snapped cleanly in half near the pivot point. Hunter was very responsive and I got my new rudder in about a week. That's great customer service! You have to give Hunter credit for trying, I'm just guessing here, but it sounds like Hunter tried to design a floating rudder because of the complaints about how heavy it was to pull up. The result was a floating rudder with a foam core that splits and snaps in half. Can't have it both ways?? At $660 the IdaSailor approach seems a better way to go for replacements. According to their website, their poly blade is "machined from a solid blank of material and will not absorb water, split or swell with age" and is warrantied for life (whatever that means). They don't say how heavy it is.
When coming about in high winds my rudder recently snapped cleanly in half near the pivot point. Hunter was very responsive and I got my new rudder in about a week. That's great customer service! You have to give Hunter credit for trying, I'm just guessing here, but it sounds like Hunter tried to design a floating rudder because of the complaints about how heavy it was to pull up. The result was a floating rudder with a foam core that splits and snaps in half. Can't have it both ways?? At $660 the IdaSailor approach seems a better way to go for replacements. According to their website, their poly blade is "machined from a solid blank of material and will not absorb water, split or swell with age" and is warrantied for life (whatever that means). They don't say how heavy it is.
H240 rudder
Mine cracked along the seam top and bottom in the first 12 months and greg was great about replacing it. I glassed the old one up in the mean time and since then it has not cracked (two seasons). Since i expect the new one will crack anyway I have no yet swapped over. I added extra glass to the bottom of the old one as I sometimes use it as my depth gauge and it has held up well.
Mine cracked along the seam top and bottom in the first 12 months and greg was great about replacing it. I glassed the old one up in the mean time and since then it has not cracked (two seasons). Since i expect the new one will crack anyway I have no yet swapped over. I added extra glass to the bottom of the old one as I sometimes use it as my depth gauge and it has held up well.
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