Correct H260 rudder rake angle

[soling42]

Need the correct H260 rudder rake angle

Damaged the head of the rudder where it contacts the vertical SS rudder post. Sailed all last season with a hideous over steer where the rudder, now being raked slightly too far fwd, will take off as helm increases in either direction. I remember seeing a post of a diagram showing how to set the proper rake for a 26/260 rudder but can't find it now.


I've built up and reglassed the contact spot to rake it well aft but now need to determine the exact amount to adjust/grind down to properly balance the rudder angle without allowing it to be raked too far fwd nor aft. Fractions of an inch at the head stop make huge changes in the rake.


My crude drawings below might act as a measuring point if someone could please check their dimensions(assuming they don't experience any under/over steering). Or simply choose the last option for a raw guess and give me the measurement from the hole for the knot in the last pic.

We'll call my needed rake measurement "Dimension C".

Dimension "A" (pictured) is equal to 6,1/4"" and would be the distance from the c/l pivot bolt forward to the fwd contact point of the vertical SS rudder post stop.

Point "B" (pictured) would be a R/A measurement downward from the c/l of the pivot bolt down the rudder 44" to a R/A point 6,1/4"" aft of the rudders leading edge.

Dimension "C" (my mystery rake measurement) would be the distance between leading edge of the fwd line of the SS rudder post extended downward to a point being a r/a fwd from point B on the rudder.



Thanks for your help with the correct rake dimension and for tolerating any engineering phases that I've surely butchered.

Mike

 

[soling42]

Alright I give up and yes it was a tough question to answer. The weather is getting sweeter every day so after only a couple days but 100 views(thanks to those who looked) and no input I'm just going to take it out and trim it as it needs to be done.

I did get a REALLY quick response from Hunter with the missing article about how differing rake settings effect helm but it isn't very specific about this particular rudder stop point. For the sake of future general searches about rudder rake on Hunter trailerables I'll post the info I'd seen a few yrs ago below.

As for setting the specific stop point on my rudder head, I'll just take the grinder with me and sail it a few hrs and grind it off a little at a time until it's balanced correctly.

My car mechanic always cusses me saying "you only bring me the toughest/obscure jobs to fix" so I'll send an easier question next time......specific rudder rake measurements, hey, who knows.

Fair winds, Mike

 

[Sublime]

Sorry. I haven't been up to the boat to be able to take measurements.

 

[yachtsman]

I have a spare rudder so will take a photo and post tomorrow. But from memory there should be no angle to the section that comes in contact with the stainless. ie at right angles.

 

[yachtsman]

And now having read the Hunter article it confirms my thoughts. The top of the rudder (stop) should be parallel with the stainless stop on the stock. But I will still get a picture. By the looks of what you have the bottom of the rudder would be too far aft meaning enormous pressure on the helm. The bottom needs to come forward meaning shaving quite lot off your repair.

 

[soling42]

I did just that. I've ground the repair down to about where the red lines with the question marks are in the image above. I then re-mounted it after grinding the repaired section by guesstimating. I'd really like a measurement within a 1/16"(or a +/- 1 mm) from your undamaged stock blade where the downhaul line hole is so I'll have a closer base-line to work from.

The boat's still in my shop for another week so it'd be pretty easy to tweak.
Thanks alot for taking the time.

Mike

 

[yachtsman]

As promised.

 

[soling42]

Uh, nice pics and thanks but whats missing is a specific measurement from the top of the downhaul hole to the flat spot("B" in pic) where it'd contact the rudder post(hoping that the hole is drilled in a standardized jig at the factory).

Otherwise (and even better) a simple parallel line from the trailing edge of the rudder(lets say 24" down and a specific measurement you'd determine inward) up to the pivot hole, then using a reliable square carry a right angle from the pivot hole over to a point directly above the contact spot and then provide me with a measurement("A" in pic) directly down to the contact spot.

Thanks again, Mike

 

[yachtsman]

OK I will measure this in the morning.