35.5 Rudder

[David]

My offer was accepted on a 1990 35.5 Legend. The survey today revealed, among other things, a sloppy rudder post as it enters the bottom of the hull. Is anyone familiar with this situation on THIS MODEL ONLY?Thanks

 

[Rich]

I have a 1988 35.5. I don't know if it's relevant to your problem, but I've heard there have been problems with the 35.5 rudder in general. Mine was replaced before I bought the boat. The prior rudder had water intrusion problems.

 

[Paul Akers]

Replaced the Bearing

I replaced the ruddr bearing on my '88 L37 two years ago. The post got a bit sloppy and would thump as the boat pitched on a starboard tack. When my yard called Hunter for the replacement bearing, they were told that it isn't made any more because the sub-contractor was out of business. Hunter sent them the specs, though, with the intent that we would get one made. They are made of nylon. Fortunately, one of my yard buddies saw the delema and offerred to have it made in one of his manufacturing plants in Mexico. He physically measured the space and the rudder post, used the old bearing as a model and on his next trip to Mexico, had the work done. It's been fine ever since.

 

[fred miller]

Rudder Shutter

dave;I own a 35.5 / 1992. Super Boat. The alledged universal problem with the rudder that another responder mentioned is delamination. Its not really a universal occurrence on 35.5s I am told anymore than it would be on any other sailboat of 8-10 year old vintage. But freshwater use seems to cause the problem faster than salt water use because of the density of the water. Someone's theory.Anyway, back to your bearing problem, if the bearing is sloppy in the rudder tube, a condition simply from wear, I have had good experience on another boat using shims to take up the play. The shim was a one inch wide section of plastic soda bottle cut in a four inch length strip and jammed down between the rudder post and tube. Something I saw done in Maine.It is not the correct way but it worked fine for many years.If you need a bearing,and Hunter can't supply it get the specs and call a commercial marine supply house like Hamilton Marine in Searsport Me who caters to the fishing boat trade. They have the largest selection I know or can probably lead you to a machine shop that can fabricate one up. By the way, some play in the rudder stock I think will always be present. When the rudder starts to shutter [vibrate] or the rudder post leaks thats when I think about repacking or replacing the bearing.Good LuckFMs/v M Squared

 

[Alex]

I think they are made of Deralin..

.. not nylon.Deralin won't sweal by water and is self lubricating. I had these sleeves made locally for my 29.5 rudder ,and they work well since.