H26 Ruddercraft question

[gfroch]

Good morning-

Until last night I have had a Ruddercraft (I think it used to be Idasailor) replacement rudder for my '95 H26. I had it for about 9 years and it was far superior to the OEM rudder. Last night the rudder snapped off at the bracket! As far as I know, I didn't hit anything. I was in open water 2 miles offshore in Lake Ontario, calm conditions, executing a tack.

Here's my question... the Ruddercraft site shows only an H260 rudder. Is the H260 rudder the same as the H26 rudder?

Thanks...

 

[Charisma]

The original h26 rudder was very different than the h260. I would be interested in what you finally decide to do as my rudder, original h26 has a crack that I have repaired, but it is always good to have a back-up plan. Thanks Chris

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The 26/260 rudders are the same.

Many times failures can be attributed to hitting underwater objects but also loose at the rudder head. tighten up.

 

[John23883]

I just installed mine

I just installed my new Ruddercraft/idasailor rudder assembly for my Hunter 26 and it works great. It's possible the rudder itself is the same as a Hunter 260 but the rudder bracket and tiller are definitely different. The folks at Ruddercraft will make you a new Ruddercraft style rudder or one that matches the OEM from Hunter.

 

[Charisma]

here is a quote from "Mistress of Grand Traverse"
quote "There are significant differences between the H26 and the H260 rudders. A review of comments in sailboatowners.com indicates although very stout, there was dissatisfaction with the H26 rudder because it is fairly heavy. Hunter designed the H260 rudder so that it was lighter and would float."

If you really want to see the differences I can take photos of my stock 97h26 rudder and that of a h260 just down the dock.

Sorry Crazy Dave, but on this I have proof that there is a very big difference

 

[sesmith]

http://shop.hunterowners.com/detail-rudders.htm?step=2&xkw=Hunter&skipred=T

They show one here for the 26.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Charisma;

Contrary to what you said, I introduced the two boats, outsold all dealers, worked on them and even the mfg of the rudder is a friend of mine. I only talk from experience and with that, I will not say anymore sir. If it was not for me there would never have been any Hunter water ballasted boats.

 

[gfroch]

Dave! Great to hear from you! Remember me?

To all - I bought my boat from Dave in '99. Traveled to NC from upstate NY and it was worth the trip. A wealth of knowledge.

Here's the update - I spoke to Joel at Ruddercraft, who built the original (the one that just broke) in 2003. They have a new design that I'm going with, just the blade, not the assembly. They actually have a couple new designs, but I don't need the extra bulk of a bluewater blade, so just going with the standard. Spoke to them Friday and it should ship today so hopefully back sailing this coming weekend.

I can believe that the Hunter rudder was upgraded in someway, even if not shape. I would hope so. My OEM Hunter rudder was awful. I didn't know how awful until it needed to be replaced in 2003 and I went with the Idasailor. The difference was amazing.

Chris (Charisma) - go with the Ruddercraft. You'll be glad you did. Talk with Joel and he'll decide what is best for your situation. He won't try to over sell you. He talked me out of the more expensive assembly and bluewater items, determining they were not necessary.

Happy sailing

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Good to hear from you sir. My email is davecondon@mindspring and I will email you current info to include phone. I was wondering how you were doing the other day.

Sometimes when you get new employees they tend not to follow instructions which sometimes the rudders failed but was highly impressed that the manufacturer of the rudder always backed them up under warranty. To many mishaps but many were broken due to pilot error.