79 H30 Rudder Post Top

[tomgrigsby]

I was crawling around inside the stbd cockpit locker (not easy given my girth) and saw a 2x4 on the rudder shaft near the top, but the 2x4 is not attached to the underside of the cockpit. Should it be? Anyone have any pictures of theirs? I didn't take a picture and don't relish the thought of emptying the locker and crawling back in there, but imagine I'll have to do it. The 2x4 is just on the shaft above the quadrant, just lying there.

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

Tom, hate to ask, but can you take a picture?

I have only three guesses--
1. It's the emergency tiller. You don't say how long it is.
2. It's a stop to keep the rudder from either popping up, should you hit something, or from turning too far. Is it bolted to the quadrant?
3. It's a piece of wood that happens to be lying there and serves no purpose whatsoever.

Get back to us with some details!

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[Dalliance]

Here is a photo of the rudder post, quadrant and stops in my '82 H30. The rudder post extends up into the lazarette for attachment of the emergency tiller. From what you describe, my first thought, if the 2x4 is vertical, is that it might be an extension for the same purpose.

 

[tomgrigsby]

I'll get some pictures tonight or tomorrow. I should be able to reach my camera back there. If I remember correctly, the rudder shaft goes through board and it is just sitting loosely on the shaft above the quadrant. I don't remember seeing rudder stops like you have in Dalliance, so maybe it was for something like that.

 

[guidera48]

rudder post arc bump stop.

Take a look at my original Hunter set up on this page. It looks like you may have the remnants of a similar system as mine on my H37.

www.hunter37.com/Cockpit.html

Scroll down to tiller work on the page.

 

[tomgrigsby]

Here are a couple of pictures. As you can see it is just sitting loosely atop a thru-bolt on the shaft. The emergency tiller port is open above to get some daylight in there. It looks to me light it may have once been attached to the underside of the deck, but I don't know how. It looks like a shadow up there that is the same shape.

 

[guidera48]

Thanks for the pictures. Sorry I was so far off target. You mentioned 2x4 and my brain went into overdrive. You sir, have no 2x4 there. It looks like two pieces of 3/4 inch plywood stacked on each other. They look to be 6x6 in size and have a hole in the center. It looks like a bearing plate for the rudder shaft to go trough and hold it upright. I also have the same thing, except mine is made of plastic and has a collar with a bolt through the shaft. That's what keeps my rudder from going bye bye. The two pieces of plywood more than likely are attached to the underside of the deck by the long screws that hold the round inspection hatch on the rear coaming. It looks like they are placed there to line up the end of the tiller pipe with the hatch, so the emergency tiller can be fitted to the top of the tube. Does that make sense?? Hope so.

 

[tomgrigsby]

Jose, I think you're right, those used to be attached under the deck. Sorry for the confusion with the 2x4 thing. I was working from memory and being crammed into the locker. Sitting on the couch studying the pictures without contortions and cramps made things much easier to see for me. I should be able to get them back up into place with the screws for the access hole ring and perhaps some adhesive liberally applied atop the plywood.

 

[ggrizzard]

Hi Tom,
I've owned my '79 H30 C since new (34years) and it has a "2X4" at the rudder post. From memory, mine doesn't look the same as yours so, I'll go down to the sea (wall) and (get) in my ship and hopefully take a pic and post it by Monday.

And Tom, if you remove the port side quarter berth rear bulkhead (3 or 4 screws), you'll find much easier access to that part of you ship!

 

[Dalliance]

Wow. Everything about this is different from the '82 H30.

 

[tomgrigsby]

Grizzard, is this what your aft bulkhead looks like? Looks like I'd need to pull the longitudinal and athwarships bulkheads to get there.

 

[ggrizzard]

Yes, Exactly the same and if yours is secured as mine, you should move the outboard edge toward you first (after some careful wiggling) then let the inboard edge follow. When I first did this my engine panel was aft of the bulkhead. Since then I had a new 2GM20 engine with a new panel installed that is oriented as yours is now. But the bulkhead still comes out. Let me know what happens and I'll try to get pics soon... It's freezing here and I can't go out til it warms up (Arthritis).

G.

PS The bulkhead is not light, FWIW.

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

Shaft block fix

Clearly, what Guidera48 says is correct. One can see the screws through the deck that used to hold this block in place. Since they are still there and the block is loose, the block is most likely wet and/or rotten. Replacing it will require dropping the rudder (not a hard job so long as you are this far). If you do this, replace the 2-1/2" hose and the clamps; for you won't get a better opportunity otherwise.

You might also just thoroughly saturate this block with WEST epoxy and reattach it from where it is. Be sure to mask off the shaft itself (or just lube it) or the epoxy will *sort of* glue the block to the shaft (this could be broken free however). Pay most attention to filling the old screw holes and to the edge grain. Fill the old holes in the 'glass and drill new ones. Use SS screws, like #10 or #12, and attach the epoxied block to the underside of the deck with 5200. This will add stiffness and keep out water.

Eerily enough the setup Dalliance has looks exactly like that of the Raider 33 from Storm Sandy I am currently working on-- right down to the number and placement of hose clamps and the little bronze packing gland. Apparently my Uncle Joe (Raider Yacht) bought as much hardware as he could from Hunter-- taking advantage of the strong family connections, I am sure!

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