Bend rudder brackets

[Samwill557]

Argh.... When putting my baby (1994 Hunter H26) back on the trailer I had to backup once. Alas, I'd forgotten to raise the rudder.

The rudder itself, amazingly, survived okay. But I bent the aluminum brackets on both sides of the rudder. The rudder now is pointing to 4:30 (when looked at from behind).

Has anyone ever had a similar problem or fixed or fabricated replacement parts? (you don't have to admit to being as dumb as me...say your kids did it).

Sam

 

[Henry Scurlock]

Well I don't have any kids and all I'll say is; it involved silicon spray on the trailer bunks, backing too fast, and braking short of the water :O

Take the rudder off the boat, unbolt all of the connector bolts from tiller and rudder, take the plates to a machine shop. A smaller shop should be able to roll them out for you in a couple of days at most.

I would also suggest a close inspection of the lower edges and around the bolt holes of the rudder. Look for splits or cracks. If you find any they are fairly easy to repair using thickened epoxy. The goal is to stop any water intrusion.

While everything is off check the pintles and gudgeons for damage. They may have gotten bent or loosened too.

This is also a great time to repair or replace the rubber sheets on the brackets, if needed.

Good luck in your repairs.