Difficulty raising rudder

[Jack Kelly]

We have a 1986 H23 - I just put the rudder on the transom for the first time - tried pulling on the rope from the cockpit to raise it a bit - it won't budge. Standing behind the rudder ont he ground, I can easily pick up the rudder and it moves freely - is it something I'm doing or is it a design flaw? When you are underway, does the rudder have a tendency to ride up by itself so it's not an issue? Curious...

 

[Dave Laing s/v WindSong]

Rudder Floats

Jack,I've had a Hunter 23 for about three years now. Love it. You made a good choice. The rudder on the 23 floats up when you are in the water. The line attached to the rudder housing is pulled to put the rudder down into the water. Hope I've been a help to you.Happy Sailing.Dave Laings/v WindSong

 

[Ernie Rogers]

Rope is for hold-down

Hi Jack,Unlike most others, the rope and cam cleat on the h23 rudder is to hold it DOWN, not UP. When you release the rope, the rudder will float up by itself. You can get some adjustment while underway by uncleating and easing out on the rope some I guess, but that's not it's intended operation, which is to slip thru the cleat if you hit something underwater or run aground.On my '86 h23 I have installed a SS eye bolt on the aft edge of the rudder with another line on it so that I can secure the rudder in the up position while in the slip, but there is no adjustment available.Ernie Rogersh23 Whimsy II

 

[Jim Maroldo]

The H23 rudder...

...should have a halyard connected to the eye on top of the rudder itself. You can't get to it unless you separate the rudder & housing. The line runs out under the sheave, up the rear of the housing and through the cam cleat. As previously described, you pull on the line to lower the rudder; relase the cam cleat to let it float up. It is quite hard to pull it down though. Think of the leverage and the flotation working against you. My wife has tried a few times, and she just hasn't got the muscle to do it herself. So if everything is in order, then just pull harder! Happy sailing...Jim MaroldoOcean Gate, NJ

 

[Jack Kelly]

Thank you...

Just wanted to say thank you to all who have responded to my many questions on this Forum. It's been fun bringing this old girl back to her original condition... Can't wait to launch "Thistle" - the "23" sounds like a great boat! Jack