Has anyone cut a piece off the bottom

[Hayden Jones]

of their rudder? I have a Hunter 235 that permits me to sail (with keel rasied) in very shallow water. However, the rudder is too long and keeps hitting the bottom (fortunately it's sand). I'm wondering what would happen to the sailing ability of the boat if I sliced off 6" from the bottom of the rudder. Anyone tried it? Results?Hayden

 

[Dave Royce]

Raise the rudder

Use the up-haul line on the rudder to raise it until the rudder is clear of the bottom. You can still control the boat with the rudder point directly aft of the boat.If you cut the rudder you will affect the handling of the boat in normal conditions.

 

[Ray Bowles]

Raising the rudder with fairly strong winds will

make the boat very, very hard to steer. Raised keel and rudder is an automatic broach. Splash, boom, done!You can set your rudder to kick up as needed.RayS/V Speedy

 

[Alan]

In a 260 keeled (now called 270)...

a friend chopped off 4" without noticable helm difference. He called Hunter and they told him it would be ok. alan

 

[Mike Pajewski]

Rudder is foam filled

If you cut 6 inches off of the bottom, you will expose the foam core. You will need to do a lot of glass work. There may also be a penalty when sailing in deeper water, or the rudder may come out of the water when heeled over. I would at least consult a marine architect first.Mike PajewskiH26 "Loon"