Barry: Regarding the photo's of your rudder. How old was that rudder when it failed? Was it made by Hunter or a third party (do you know)? Did they do anything is the new design to strengthen it? I assume that cost was about $900 plus freight?
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Barry
Rudder Followup
The rudder post is original equipment from my boat - 1983 hull #56. After frost damage caused some delamination I sent it to Foss for a rebuild (around 1997). They put new fiberglass on foam on the original post. There was no sign of corrosion on the stainless. The rebuilt rudder had very poor workmanship. Foss blamed their old mold. They refunded $75 after I complained. I had it properly faired and refinished locally. I paid about $850 plus shipping for the rebuild. Two year later the weld in the post failed. I believe it could have been repaired. I sent it back to them, they made a new one for me and charged $1000 plus shipping (wholesale price) Foss removed all the foam and fiberglass before returning the old post to me. That saved a few bucks on shipping but insured I would not be able to repair it and use it again. I never saw the old post (internally) until my new rudder was built. I sure hope the new one is more robust but have my doubts. The purpose of posting the photos is to let owners know the design is very weak and when they need to replace theirs they should spend a few buck extra to and insist on making the assembly stronger. Barry
The rudder post is original equipment from my boat - 1983 hull #56. After frost damage caused some delamination I sent it to Foss for a rebuild (around 1997). They put new fiberglass on foam on the original post. There was no sign of corrosion on the stainless. The rebuilt rudder had very poor workmanship. Foss blamed their old mold. They refunded $75 after I complained. I had it properly faired and refinished locally. I paid about $850 plus shipping for the rebuild. Two year later the weld in the post failed. I believe it could have been repaired. I sent it back to them, they made a new one for me and charged $1000 plus shipping (wholesale price) Foss removed all the foam and fiberglass before returning the old post to me. That saved a few bucks on shipping but insured I would not be able to repair it and use it again. I never saw the old post (internally) until my new rudder was built. I sure hope the new one is more robust but have my doubts. The purpose of posting the photos is to let owners know the design is very weak and when they need to replace theirs they should spend a few buck extra to and insist on making the assembly stronger. Barry
What should it have looked like?
Barry: I agree that this weld looks flakey. It seems to me that this area should have a sleeve inside to reinforce this area. As far as the rest of the assembly, what would you expect it to look like? I am not sure what other rudders look like. It would seem to me that this thing lasted for 14 years that the design was not that bad. It seems that the only failures that we hear about are when there has been water intrusion into the foam. The early H'34's also had a different rudder than the later ones. I think that they made the rudder slightly bigger! All I know is that loosing a rudder while under power or sail would be a really bad thing to happen. This is a good thing to inspect while the boat is out of the water each time it gets pulled. If there is any signs of rust they should be inspected.
Barry: I agree that this weld looks flakey. It seems to me that this area should have a sleeve inside to reinforce this area. As far as the rest of the assembly, what would you expect it to look like? I am not sure what other rudders look like. It would seem to me that this thing lasted for 14 years that the design was not that bad. It seems that the only failures that we hear about are when there has been water intrusion into the foam. The early H'34's also had a different rudder than the later ones. I think that they made the rudder slightly bigger! All I know is that loosing a rudder while under power or sail would be a really bad thing to happen. This is a good thing to inspect while the boat is out of the water each time it gets pulled. If there is any signs of rust they should be inspected.
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Ed Schenck
Other designs.
The ones that I have seen cut away did not have a welded post, the post was one piece. Those had a substantial looking plate, probably 3/16" stainless and about 18" x 36", welded to the post. That is what I hope to find on my H37C. My only upgrade was going to be to sleeve it as Steve suggests. On my boat the rudder mounts and bearings seem to be the weak point. Those are "scary" pictures though, glad there are ways to steer without a rudder.
The ones that I have seen cut away did not have a welded post, the post was one piece. Those had a substantial looking plate, probably 3/16" stainless and about 18" x 36", welded to the post. That is what I hope to find on my H37C. My only upgrade was going to be to sleeve it as Steve suggests. On my boat the rudder mounts and bearings seem to be the weak point. Those are "scary" pictures though, glad there are ways to steer without a rudder.
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Bob Rutland
Me too !!
The OME Foss rudder on our 84 H31 broke in exactly the same spot as yours. It gave us a wild into the wind ride before we could drop the sails. Then we were a anchored sitting duck in a very busy pass on a 4th of July weekend. Thank goodness for Boat US coverage, as we had a $300 tow bill and they don't take checks! Our new rudder,also Foss($1400),does seem a little beefier. Bob
The OME Foss rudder on our 84 H31 broke in exactly the same spot as yours. It gave us a wild into the wind ride before we could drop the sails. Then we were a anchored sitting duck in a very busy pass on a 4th of July weekend. Thank goodness for Boat US coverage, as we had a $300 tow bill and they don't take checks! Our new rudder,also Foss($1400),does seem a little beefier. Bob
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