Confused about play in rudder

[Roy10289]

I thought that play in the rudder was sloppy response to the helm. I have been reading the archives and no I'm not sure. Does the term "play" mean that when the boat is on the hard and you grasp the rudder and push port,fore ,aft or whatever and there is movement considered is normal that this is play?
The other possibility for me is if one moves the wheel. If there is say perhaps 1/2 inch of free play before the cables move the wheel in the steering quadrant.
What is play and what is considered normal?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Semantics - play in the rudder vs. play in the steering that people sometimes call rudder. Easily differentiated if the boat is out of the water or you can usually feel the rudder play when steering downwind. There is no "normal" amount - both should be firm but most older boats have some rudder bearing wear which isn't that big a deal and some loose steering gear easily tightened.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Roy...

Your steering cables should be pre-loaded with some tension so that the rudder turns with the wheel and there's no "slop" or play in the wheel.

To make the adjustment, gain access to the quadrant on the rudder post where the cables are attached (on the newer Hunters that should be under the cockpit floor plate at the walk-thru area) and take up the slack by tightening the bolts that attach the cable ends to the quadrant.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I agree with Dan that the steering cables should be adjusted so that there is no slop or slack in the steering.

FWIW, I have fore-aft and port-stbd play if I move the rudder when the boat is out of the water. I can move the top of the rudder where it exits the hull about 3/32". I discovered this condition when the boat was about five years old and according to the Hunter factory and two major Hunter dealers that I queried this play is considered in the normal range. It has not gotten worse in years 6-14. I don't heard any clunking in the water and I don't feel the play in the steering.