Yesterday, while sailing my brand new H-260 (4th time out) in moderate winds (15-18 knots, the strongest breeze yet encountered), while on a starboard tack and quickly approaching the shore line the rudder separated completely in two pieces at the hinge pin location. We were healed about 40 degrees and I was trying to head up a bit and had also eased the main. I was feeling a pretty fair amount of weather helm just before the rudder failed. My boat has tiller steering. Fortunately, the dealer who sold me the boat was aboard and his calm while under fire was helpful. We quickly lowered the main and furled the jib. It's a bit interesting to be under full sail and close to shore with zero steering in that kind of breeze. Anyway, we got the outboard started and I was able to sort of "steer" us home. I had to straddle the engine while facing aft and turn the engine by hand to "aim" the boat at the dock. It was sort of a crash landing against the dock due to a following wind but fortunately no one was hurt and the boat received no damage. I recovered the rudder because the uphaul line was still attached. These rudders are constructed of fiberglass and may have inherent weaknesses due to their construction. My question, has this sort of thing happened to you or anyone you know?
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
S
Scott Blahnik
Rudder problems
Checking the archives it is apparent that the rudders on our 260's are lemons. Poor design, and i think they're actually made of a styrofoam! Still, a good buy for your $ and you won't regret it.
Checking the archives it is apparent that the rudders on our 260's are lemons. Poor design, and i think they're actually made of a styrofoam! Still, a good buy for your $ and you won't regret it.
S
Sean Coerse
Rudder
My 4 year old 240 has a rudder problem. Not sure the extent yet. The rudder has a line crack in the middle at the top if the rudder was in down position. Almost like two halves were mated together. I'm gonna have my dealer look at it this winter when I take the boat back due to a reoccuring problem with the mast step.
My 4 year old 240 has a rudder problem. Not sure the extent yet. The rudder has a line crack in the middle at the top if the rudder was in down position. Almost like two halves were mated together. I'm gonna have my dealer look at it this winter when I take the boat back due to a reoccuring problem with the mast step.
M
Mark
S
Sean Coerse
Mast step
Mark my boat was one of a few that left the factory with a void under the step. The factory sent the dealers out to repair this problem by drilling holes under the step and injecting a resin to fill it. I had already sailed my boat for 6 months before this was done. The next year cracks started appearing in the headliner of the cabin at the compression post. Took it back to the dealer who fixed it. Again I'm having the same problem with cracks radiating from the compression post. I'm told that it is not structural but I'm beginning to wonder. Taking it back to dealer again this winter. Considering getting a surveyor. My concern is if it is structural or not. My other concern is even if not structural could effect resale value when I look to move up.
Mark my boat was one of a few that left the factory with a void under the step. The factory sent the dealers out to repair this problem by drilling holes under the step and injecting a resin to fill it. I had already sailed my boat for 6 months before this was done. The next year cracks started appearing in the headliner of the cabin at the compression post. Took it back to the dealer who fixed it. Again I'm having the same problem with cracks radiating from the compression post. I'm told that it is not structural but I'm beginning to wonder. Taking it back to dealer again this winter. Considering getting a surveyor. My concern is if it is structural or not. My other concern is even if not structural could effect resale value when I look to move up.
C
Crazy Dave Condon
Chet
call Gregg Emerson at Hunter 386-462-3077 extension 3044 and he will help you out quickly. Most of the rudders this does not happen to. It could be that you have what I call a Friday Afternoon rudder and in all manufacturing whether be boats, cars, etc.. you will get a bad one and unfortunately, this happenned to you. Hunter Marine will correct this for you through your dealer. They had a problem with the rudders when the first 260 came out which to be precise the first 10 as I had one which the rudder broke off during an open house. I simply cut the top off and drilled another hole through it for the pin and kept sailing. Someone forgot to put the hardner in and the production line was educated about that. I will say Hunter stopped shipping the boats and sent new rudders out immediately to the ones out in the field. Crazy Dave Condon How is sailing at Hartwell? I just past it the other day. Crazy Dave Condon
call Gregg Emerson at Hunter 386-462-3077 extension 3044 and he will help you out quickly. Most of the rudders this does not happen to. It could be that you have what I call a Friday Afternoon rudder and in all manufacturing whether be boats, cars, etc.. you will get a bad one and unfortunately, this happenned to you. Hunter Marine will correct this for you through your dealer. They had a problem with the rudders when the first 260 came out which to be precise the first 10 as I had one which the rudder broke off during an open house. I simply cut the top off and drilled another hole through it for the pin and kept sailing. Someone forgot to put the hardner in and the production line was educated about that. I will say Hunter stopped shipping the boats and sent new rudders out immediately to the ones out in the field. Crazy Dave Condon How is sailing at Hartwell? I just past it the other day. Crazy Dave Condon
C
Chet Lawson
New rudder on the way
Crazy Dave, thanks for the response. My dealer was headed for the St. Pete boat show this week and stoped by the factory to pick up a new rudder. Hopefully, one that was not made on Friday. Sailing on Hartwell is generally pretty good though as you may have noted, the water level is quite low due to the extended drought.
Crazy Dave, thanks for the response. My dealer was headed for the St. Pete boat show this week and stoped by the factory to pick up a new rudder. Hopefully, one that was not made on Friday. Sailing on Hartwell is generally pretty good though as you may have noted, the water level is quite low due to the extended drought.
C
Crazy Dave Condon
Hunter lives up to their quality
Without going into details, Hunter is shipping new rudders for specific boats to the dealers and customers. A glich in manufacuting occured on some rudders but Hunter did have the guts to admit there is a problem and replacements are on their way. Bravo Hunter Marine! That is why the warranty department has always had my respect for these guys. They usually are in when most folks are getting up and are still there when most go home. They have a thankless job and I encourage everyone to thank them. Crazy Dave Condon
Without going into details, Hunter is shipping new rudders for specific boats to the dealers and customers. A glich in manufacuting occured on some rudders but Hunter did have the guts to admit there is a problem and replacements are on their way. Bravo Hunter Marine! That is why the warranty department has always had my respect for these guys. They usually are in when most folks are getting up and are still there when most go home. They have a thankless job and I encourage everyone to thank them. Crazy Dave Condon
- Status
- Not open for further replies.