H 26 Rudder

[SoggieLoggie]

All,

I have been a long time lurker and learned a ton of stuff from this forum. I am getting my H 26 ready upcoming Summer but am kind of stuck on the rudder.
One thing that I'm wondering about is how to raise the rudder out o f the water when I am about to put the boat on the trailer. This thing is heavy as hell and I am seeing myself up to my chest in the lake raising this thing. I'm not complaining..I just know that someone has a better method.
Also, I'm looking for parts for the whole assembly. The rubber sheeting that goes on each side of the rudder itself as well as the bushings that go in between the side plates. Any suppliers of parts or suitable substitutes? Thanks for a great forum! Soggie

 

[cephius (Dave)]

SogieLoggie,
When your release the rudder, it pops up and floats on the surface. You just need to lift it the rest of the way up. On the H260 the downhaul line also connects to the trailing edge at about the halfway point. I use this to pull it up.

 

[SoggieLoggie]

Thanks Dave.. I didn't think it would float, it seems awful heavy. I have thought about putting a stainless eye hook on the back edge of the rudder so I could pull it up with a boat hook. Thoughts?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

anytime you drill into the rudder, remember there is foam inside and it will become water logged if you are putting a stainless eye hook in it. Are there any cracks in the rudder where the two seams come together. If so, send me a photo and I will tell you how to fix and then post results on the forum If water has already penetrated the rudder, it may be water logged already.

crazy dave condon davecondon@mindspring.com

 

[Quoddy]

Rudder up

The stock rudder floats up. The Ida has neutral buoyancy. We run the uphaul line that is connected to the trailing edge directly to a block on the starboard side center seat top rail. Then you sit on the starboard seat and pull while snubbing it off on the starboard cleat. In the end the rudder is up and the wheel is held to starboard and can’t move around. The rudder should have an uphaul hole in it. I believe Hunter has parts, also this site.

 

[SoggieLoggie]

I guess I will find out if mine will float soon enough!
On the eye hook idea.. I would fill the hole with epoxy and then insert the screw to make it waterproof. I don't think it is water logged right now...the boat has been out of the water for 3 years and I have had the rudder in the house all Winter. There is no exterior damage.
I have checked this site for parts but didn't see a whole lot for rudder parts. I could be missing something though! I'll check again.. I appreciate the advice!

 

[BrianW]

You can get the 1/8" red rubber gaskey material from any industrial hose and gasket supplier. When I went to one locally in Pensacola, FL, and told them the approximate dimensions, he smiled and came back with a reminent from a roll and handed to me and said, "no charge". You can use your old gasket as a pattern. It pays to remember to trace it out on paper also to keep for later. Call Hunter and ask for the nylon bushing, shims and spacers. They still should carry them. BrianW

 

[SoggieLoggie]

Thanks for the idea Brian, I'll check the phone book for a local store. I was thinking of making the bushings out of stock from my local hardware store. We'll see!

 

[Larry O]

I talked with a friend of mine and he uses his hook to reach over the back and pull it up. He says he sometimes has to re snag it but it works.