H26 Rudder vs H260 Rudder

[George H260]

In appearance, the rudders on the H26 and the H260 are very different. There has been much discussion about the H260 rudder breaking at the pivot point but I've never seen a report about the H26 rudder failing in the same way.Apparently both rudders have a foam core and fiberglass shell and can be damaged by dragging and dropping. Splitting along the aft edge occurs due to flexing and water can infiltrate into the core.Is anyone ever heard of the H26 rudder failure similar to the H260 incidents?

 

[David King]

Foam core?

I can't testify to any rudder breakage, but the rudder on my 1997 h26 is anything but a foam core covered with glass. I keep Molly in the water with the board up. I decend the boarding ladder and raise and lower my rudder by hand evey time I go sailing and it is - heavy! When I release it and let it fall, it hangs straight down. I've owned Molly for 8 years and there is no breakage or seepage in the rudder fiberglass. David King "Molly"

 

[David R]

h260 rudder

I got the rudder of my H260 stuck in the mud and cracked the rudder just above the bolt that secures it to the tiller plate. Has anyone had experience filling the break with epoxy and getting the rudder to be as strong as it was before the break occured?I also bent the tiller plate and I am having trouble straightening out the side of the tiller plate. Any suggestions on correcting this problem?

 

[George]

H260 rudder

You can see from the picture at the link below that there is a extra thick amount of fiberglass along the blade. If this strip has been compromised you are better off getting a new rudder from IdaSailor. Go to:http://kobernus.com/hunter260/rudder/rudder.htmlIf it was me I'd patch the crack but be ready to order a new blade.

 

[Lance14037]

No problem with my H26 rudder

My 1996 H26 with original rudder has had no failures. I do not know what my rudder is made of but as with David, it is heavy. I need to raise my rudder at my dock as I am in shallow water and as I often prefer to stay dry, it can be a real pain. I have to work with mine to get it straight down when sailing, so there may be a foam core. No problems with my rudder breaking and I have stuck it in the mud several times.

 

[JungleJetJock]

I wonder

If the H26 rudder is heavy and strong, will it fit on a H260 whose rudder floats and breaks?