H23 Rudder

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Sep 11, 2010
33
Hunter 23 Hudson
The rudder on my 23 has a single line, that if i pull it, secures the rudder in the down position. When i launch the boat from the trailer the rudder hangs so low that it scrapes on the launch ramp as i back it into the water.

Does anybody have a way to easily raise the rudder n keep it in the up position for travel or launch? Bungee cords have been a pain (at least the way ive used them). Is there another line to be rigged? Is there a pin to be secured?

Thanks
 
Jun 9, 2008
1,818
- -- -Bayfield
Can you rig another line at the trailing edge of the rudder blade that leads to your tiller where you can pull the rudder up (after releasing the down line)?
 
Apr 27, 2010
1,279
Hunter 23 Lake Wallenpaupack
I only have to do this once in and once out as I moor mine for the whole season. However, I remove my rudder off the transom before doing either.

Now, I would like a way to keep my rudder up out of the water when moored. My prev owner drilled a hole about 1/2, maybe 3/4 diam near the trailing edge, about half way down the blade. I don't know how he used it. I have been trying to figure out how to make some kind of pole (like from PVC pipe) and a stainless hook to snag it via that hole, and probably use the rear stays to hold it up. Haven't done one yet.
 
Sep 11, 2010
33
Hunter 23 Hudson
Where the hole was drilled, was the rudder solid? The rudder floats when released. I wondered what it is made of.
There is a hole in the lower portion of the metal frame that i wonder if it could b used with a pin to secure the rudder in the up position.
 

MrUnix

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Mar 24, 2010
626
Hunter 23 Gainesville, FL
The rudder is a foam core covered with an outer layer of glass and gelcoat. I verified this the hard way :neutral: The foam is why it floats when the down haul is released. If you drill a hole in the lower portion of the blade, I would at least coat it with epoxy to keep water from getting into the core, and would probably insert a bushing to help distribute the load.

Cheers,
Brad
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,532
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Mr. Unix hit it on the nailhead. thank you sir. Often I had to repair rudders with holes drilled in them where water got in damaging the center foam.
The metal insert is a must if one attaches a line to hoist that rudder up.

I had one customer take a very wide nylone web made into a sock with a line attachment to place over the end of the rudder to lower or raise the rudder using the end sock. The risky part of that is when the rudder was in the near up position and he had to hold the up haul line down with his foot so the sock would not come off.

Crazy dave condon
 
Dec 8, 2011
172
Hunter 23.5 New Orleans
Raising the rudder to the upright position is easily accomplished on my 23.5. Use the rudder up haul line to raise the rudder blade to near horizontal. Tie a loop in a piece of line and use the boat hook to place the loop over the outboard end of the blade. Pull the blade to vertical and secure the line. When lowering the rudder, use the boat hook again to take the loop off the blade after it has gently been returned to the water.

Krgds

Hugh
 
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