H23.5 rudder rasing question

[Hawk4661]

Sailing last weekend 9-13 kns gusting to 20..Much to high for a first time out. I now well learn to "reef at dock"...lol. I sailed under main sail only...this boat is quick.We stayed out for about two hours.
I cant believe how fast running back to the ramp was.
I have been sailing much largier 27-30 footers in class.They are much slower in comparision, but more stable.....Huge different!
After washing my pants everything is ok...

Question; I was unable to raise rudder after loosing the wing nut that held the rudder down just fine. It easily loosened it.....but I couldnt get the rudder completly out of the water until I pulled her out of the water at the ramp.
I could get her almost up but not all the way.The boat hook didn't help much either.

There must be a simply way I hope someone can share with me...txs in advance.

 

[VT Fitz]

No simple, elegant solutions

There must be a simply way I hope someone can share with me...txs in advance.

I'm not sure there is a simple way! At least not with the stock set-up.

The PO of Grasshopper drilled through the aft edge of the rudder so you can install a shackle. I pull it up as far as I can, which is the aft edge slightly out of the water, and then use the boat hook to pull it up the rest of the way.

There is probably a way to rig a series of blocks to improve purchase power, but I haven't worked it out.

The Idasailor replacement rudder/tiller for the 23.5 has a great system, but now you're talking several hundred $s. The shackle in the rudder/boat hook system is an inelegant but cheap solution!

 

[George H260]

The H260 already had a hole in the aft edge for a line. I added a block that makes it much easier to pull the rudder up.

 

[Hawk4661]

Re: No simple, elegant solutions

Thanks Kevin...I like the later idea you posted here.I believe Iwill spend a little more time with the rudder set the way it is now before putting any holes in her aft side.

 

[Hawk4661]

Thank you George....As you probable know the H23.5 has a line to raise and lower the rudder. It goes arond the bottom of rudder near the pivot point.
The problem is that it isnt really located where it is easy to left the aft weigth of the rudder.
I like the idea of placing a shackel. or maybe a plastic wire tie, on the lower aft side of rudder.It will give me an easy place to catch with the boat hook. As Kevin PO did.
The only question it brings is, will a hole 1/4 or 1/2 hole cause the rudder to break up? Where wouild the hole location be best ?
Pleasea dvise...fair winds mark<><

 

[George H260]

Drill the hole but epoxy it so water won't get into the rudder.

 

[Rick Webb]

I considered Drilling a Hole

I was going to mount a pintle to hook a line around or attach a gudgeon to attach a loop of line to catch with the boat hook. I just used the boat hook to pull it up. Try that for a while then if you need to attach a line attach somthing to the rudder to put the line on rather than just drilling a hole through the rudder.

 

[BrianW]

Mark, Thanks For Your Questions

Mark, you are asking a LOT of great questions! First, it shows you are very interested in learning all you can about your new boat. More importantly, it provides a new look for me on how to better sail my H26 I've had for 4 years. I'm having a good review plus learning new stuff. Thanks Mark and everyone else who is answering Mark's good questions. BrianW

 

[Hawk4661]

Re: Mark, Thanks For Your Questions

Thank you Brian...I am a novice sailor as you know.You well find these guys have a vast knowledge bank and offer great understanding, and insights to this size sailing craft and more.

 

[Nicky17000]

Re: Mark, Thanks For Your Questions

I also would like to improvise a better system for raising the rudder but have not figured it out yet, so it is still as devised at the factory. I manage to lift it with the rope only to below the water surface then I lift it by hand but I have to be standing on the lowest step of the stern ladder.

 

[hfkartanos@aol.com]

Raising the Rudder 23.5

This is one quick and easy way to raise the rudder fully, without altering it. Pull the rudder up to water surface, tie the line to hold it there. Lower the boarding ladder, stand on the bottom rung, and push it up fully with your right hand. Then hold the line to keep it up until you re-board. If you have a crew member with you, simply have them pull the rudder line while you push it up from the ladder.

 

[VT Fitz]

No easy DRY ways

This is one quick and easy way to raise the rudder fully, without altering it... stand on the bottom rung...

Easy... but wet!

 

[Rick Macdonald]

When I loosen the wing nut, the rudder floats up part way. I think I have to use the line to pull it up to the surface (or may it floats all the way up), and then use the boat hook to pull it up the rest of the way. I only do it once a year, which means I've only done it 8 times. It's not too hard that I've tried to think of a better way.

Besides the bolt with the wing but, there is also the bolt that the rudder pivots on. Maybe that bolt is too tight? You don't want it too loose, because then (on my boat anyway) the wing nut mechanism doesn't have enough friction to keep the rudder from working up on it's own, making the rudder/tiller forces too great.

 

[Dennis Kitchen]

The swing pivot bolt may be a little too tight.

Also, if you have the line which attaches to rudder and cleats to the tiller it often gets pinched betweeen rudder and aluminum plates of sides. I always pull my rudder up for stowage before I leave my boat. Step on stepdown in transom bounce rudder in water a couple times with pulls on rope for momentum and pull briskly up and catch with foot. Carefull, don't fall in. does your rudder float in trail when wingnut is loosened? Maybe it's water logged. See pictures in my profile album Dennis11750.

Sailing last weekend 9-13 kns gusting to 20..Much to high for a first time out. I now well learn to "reef at dock"...lol. I sailed under main sail only...this boat is quick.We stayed out for about two hours.
I cant believe how fast running back to the ramp was.
I have been sailing much largier 27-30 footers in class.They are much slower in comparision, but more stable.....Huge different!
After washing my pants everything is ok...

Question; I was unable to raise rudder after loosing the wing nut that held the rudder down just fine. It easily loosened it.....but I couldnt get the rudder completly out of the water until I pulled her out of the water at the ramp.
I could get her almost up but not all the way.The boat hook didn't help much either.

There must be a simply way I hope someone can share with me...txs in advance.

 

[George H260]

I believe all the kick up rudders on the Hunter water ballast boats have a foam core. The fiberglass shell is easily damaged and the flexing of the rudder creates cracks that allow water intrusion.

My suggstion is to keep the rudder out of the water in between sails. Carefully examine the rudder throughout the season and give it a good once over and repair as necessary at the the end of the season.

Of course this problem can be eliminated by going with the IdaSailor rudder.