H42 (1991) helm weight/ rudder bearings question??

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eianm

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Jul 7, 2010
523
Hunter 42 Sydney
A friend came sailing with me recently and commented on how very heavy my helm became once underway above 4 knots- its never been any different in the 3 years I have owned the boat - so I hadn't really noticed. I simply assumed that in a 22 year old boat- the rudder bearings must be shot, so waited until slipping to check it out.
Just slipped today and was pleased but surprised to find virtually no play in the rudder bearings- grabbing the rudder at the very bottom and pulling as hard as possible N>S>E>W, virtually no play. The shipwright on the slipway said- no wonder it gets a little heavy under way- look at the size of that rudder!
So, just wondering- can any other H42 owners comment on their own experience please. If the bearings need replacing - surely I would feel play at the bottom of the rudder???
 
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Rich Wallace

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Feb 21, 2004
30
Hunter 94 P42 Marion/Sandusky, Ohio
It is heavy at speed but OK when going slowly. Have you lubed the steering cables and pulleys? I use Super Lube grease on the cables and 30W oil on the pulleys. When the boat is not moving the steering wheel should be very easy to move. Also, the system with the cables running through flexible cable covers will always have more friction than a simple pulley/cable system.
 
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eianm

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Jul 7, 2010
523
Hunter 42 Sydney
Thanks Rich- yes, I have lubed everything. I was simply wondering if other H42 owners found the same - helm gets heavier under way.It doesn't feel too heavy to me , but to my friend - who has 40 years boating experience, it feels TOO heavy??. I know that Hunter say the shaft needs no lube, but I cant help feeling lube ( waterproof grease) between the rudder shaft and the bearings would almost have to improve things- wouldn't it?
 
sailinglegend420

sailinglegend420

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Apr 4, 2013
11
Hunter 420 passage Turkey
We had the same problem with our 420 Passage 2002 version. Decided to try and sort it in La Coruna (NW Spain) after crossing Biscay, but we never made it because the GRP rudder stock broke in Biscay. If you have a GRP not Stainless steel stock it could be the same problem.

The problem had been building up for two years as the top of the rudder stock was slowly delaminating. This caused the stock to bend slightly and put large strain on the bottom bearing. 5 years later we are now getting leaks into the boat from a cracking rudder tube.
 
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