H31 rudder bearing replacement

[Rick Johnson]

My '87 H31 is due for a haul-out, and I was considering replacing the rudder bearings while it was out of the water. To my chagrin, Hunter tells me that the company that manufactured the bearings is no longer in business. I have the following questions for anyone with a similar boat who has faced this issue:1. Should the rudder bearings last the life of the boat, or is it a good idea to replace them 'prophylactically,' so to speak, on a boat of this vintage? The rudder did not show excessive play the last time the boat was hauled out.2. Are there any after-market bearings that would be compatible? Does anyone know the specifications of the bearings? If I could get some made beforehand, I wouldn't have to leave the boat high and dry at the boatyard while I was trying to figure it out.Thanks for any info

 

[Dan Rumrill]

What I've learned

I have a 92 Hunter 30t. and she's on the hard as we speak. As I am replacing the rudder I too considered replacinf the bearings at this convenient time. Hunter also told me that they had no stock of this part,however, they do have the specs and they would machine them for me for $45. ea. I replaced the stop on the quadrantwhich clearly needed replacement but decided not to worry about the bearings as they are simply a neopreme type cylinder that seem to last a long time. If you get under your boat, shake the rudder from side to side and find excess movement, then maybe you shoud replace. I did not find this so I'm staying with the current bearings. By the way, the bottom bearing on my boat is epoxied into the rudder tube and the bottom. A little effort is required to replace.

 

[Dave Winiker]

Rudder Bearings

I replaced the rudder in our '87 H31 last year. It never occurred to me to replace the rudder bearings as there was little if any play in the rudder shaft. I put a good coating of axle grease on the rudder shaft when I reinstalled it. I believe you'd be making mucho extra work for yourself unless replacement was actually required. BTW, if I had to do it over again I'd have the travel lift raise the boat vice digging a hole in order to remove and replace the rudder.P.S. BE SURE to mark the shaft holes in the proper position before drilling the bolt holes in the shaft. :-(

 

[Richard Deep]

H31 rudder bearings

Hi Rick,I replaced the rudder on my '85 H31, and it didn't really have a "bearing". It was simply 2 hard plastic discs that provided lateral support and a low friction surface. But, I say this with 2 caveats. First, I replaced the rudder with the boat in the water, so I only saw the top "bearing" (only my diver knows for sure what's underneath!). Second, there may have been a design change from 85 to 87.BTW, regarding boat yards. I have used several in the area. Anderdson's does good work, but is a bit pricey. Mariner's seems to offer the best value for price and quality. I'll likely take my boat back to them for the next bottom job.-Richard DeepS/V DiscoverySouth Beach Harbor

 

[Greg]

Replaced on 83 H31

I replaced my rudder while it was in the water.If you elect to go this route, you will need about three friends. The key to making it work for me was tying a line through the top of the rudder post (inside the post), then threading it up through the boat.One person pulls on the line. Another person is in the water. The other two are around to help as needed. The main struggle is to keep the rudder post pointing up and the rudder blade pointing down.On the "bearings" essentially they are two Delrin donuts. One is mounted on the floor of the aft cockpit locker and the other is right above and attached to the rudder post by a bolt going all the way through. I took the old ones and the old rudder to a machine shop. They made the new bearings for $90 total. They did a great job. The biggest challenge will be matching the hole through the rudder to the hole that you will need to drill in the bearing to bolt it to the rudder post.By the way, I replaced the bearings as I replaced the rudder. The metal rudder post just broke while sailing even though the boat had never been in freshwater.