Broken Rudder

[weedstomper]

I was sailing my Hunter 260 (wing keel version) under 20+ knots and my rudder snapped at the head. This is an Ida Sailor rudder that I put new 2 years ago. I sail often in the San Francisco Bay under windy conditions. Anybody know how to best replace this rudder? Thank you for the help.

Albert

 

[Chief RA]

warranty? Chief

 

[weedstomper]

Rudder came as bonus with boat, which I bought used ...

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Contact www.idasailor.com and talk with them direct. It would be very helpful if you have the former owner's name with you and see what they say. This would eliminate a lot of suggestions going direct to the mfg. to see if there is a warranty but also more information is needed for example was the rudder head tight in the rudder housing or not when that happened as you will be asked that question by the mfg. so have all details in order when you call or contact them.

 

[weedstomper]

Thank you Dave!

 

[weedstomper]

Quick response by Rudder Craft (ex Ida Sailo http://www.ruddercraft.com) who has a " Blue water", sturdier, version of the rudder (mine was the lighter one), which they promised to rush to me http://www.ruddercraft.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=41&products_id=260 It comes with life time warranty. We'll see how it goes.

We were in windy conditions (20+ gusting to 30 mph) and strong wave action as we gybed. A wave pounded astern and lifted us from behind at which point we heard the snap. I guess the strength of the wave, the current from incoming tide, and the wind were too much for this rudder who had been sailing all summer in such conditions. Fortunately we had an outboard with extra long shaft and steering link to the helm to get back and steer the boat; however, the waves repeatedly lifted us to get the propeller spinning out of the water several times.

 

[Stan Breaux]

I'm not sure if it applies in your case or not, but my experience with a macgregor 26s and an idasailor rudder was that if the rudder was not FULLY in the down position, then there were very strong forces exerted on it (and the tiller) to the point where I sometimes thought it could break.

In the fully down position, it worked extremely well and the helm pressure was extremely light.

 

[weedstomper]

This one was fixed in the down position with a shear pin. However, the lateral pressure seemed strong.

I also have an Ida Sailor rudder with my Mac 26s, which I have used even more with no incident so far. Steering and sailing performance of both rudders has been excellent.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Weedstomper;

Just be careful in the future. I would like to see you around for years. Listen to the weather advisories to small craft. I have sailed in San Francisco Bay in bad weather and that was not fun sir.

 

[shanker]

I had the same thing happen to me and it broke in the same place yours did. Ida Sailor installed their system with rudder on my boat with a lifetime warranty. They are now Rudder Craft and will not honor Ida Sailor rudders/warranties. My research shows that it was basically a name change as the people involved are the same. Very skeptical business practice. I read numerous post on this forum and others that showed Rudder Craft did honor those Ida Sailor warranties for a while and then stopped. My guess is that they were having too many issues with rudders snapping. So don't be surprised if they do another name change in a few years in order to wash their hands of all the previous warranties from Rudder Craft.

Be aware that I have the "sturdier Blue Water" version that they sold you and it snapped in a small lake, in 10 knots of wind with no currents or tides. I was not happy that they did not honor the warranty but they did give me a discount, which was not sufficient in my estimation. Oddly enough, on their Rudder Craft web page they proudly show a picture of my boat with the rudder installed in their shop when it was still Ida Sailor. So it's OK to use my boat to advertise their equipment but they won't honor the warranty they brag about.

Just my experience and I really hope it works out for you but for Rudder Craft to not replace your rudder under warranty is pure snake oil. Good luck and as Dave said, be careful out there!

 

[weedstomper]

Shanker,
Well, I'll be installing this new one tomorrow using the same original mounting bracket the boat has. This thing is twice as heavy, 2 in thick and 5 in longer, kind of ominous. We'll see how long it lasts, but your experience is not encouraging...Thanx for sharing this comment and to Dave for the wise words.