I have purchased a new 2001 260 and have sailed it 5 times. The last two times I sailed my rudder keeps popping up out of the water. I have tightened the bolt/handle to the point of pounding it into place but the rudder still pops up. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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Bill
Bolt
I don't know if this will work on your 260 but I had the same problem when I owned a Catalina 22. The rudder was held down by a large disc on either side of cheek pieces which when tightened by a thru bolt, acting as an axel, was supposed to keep the rudder down. I could never keep the compression tight enough in heavy wind. I drilled a small hole through the rudder and the cheek pieces. I then thru bolted through the cheek pieces and the rudder. This kept the rudder down and using a wing nut I could remove the bolt easily. I did saw part way through the bolt so it acted as a shear pin in case I hit something. Never did, so I don't know if it would have worked. Maybe this will give you something to work from so you can solve your problem.
I don't know if this will work on your 260 but I had the same problem when I owned a Catalina 22. The rudder was held down by a large disc on either side of cheek pieces which when tightened by a thru bolt, acting as an axel, was supposed to keep the rudder down. I could never keep the compression tight enough in heavy wind. I drilled a small hole through the rudder and the cheek pieces. I then thru bolted through the cheek pieces and the rudder. This kept the rudder down and using a wing nut I could remove the bolt easily. I did saw part way through the bolt so it acted as a shear pin in case I hit something. Never did, so I don't know if it would have worked. Maybe this will give you something to work from so you can solve your problem.
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Ray Bowles
Todd, Do you have a wheel or tiller? If a tiller
posibily I could help. I have a 95 H26 that we raise and lower the rudder probably 3 times a week as we beach or anchor and have found the answer for your problem. Ray s/v Speedy
posibily I could help. I have a 95 H26 that we raise and lower the rudder probably 3 times a week as we beach or anchor and have found the answer for your problem. Ray s/v Speedy
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Ken Daming
Tighten the line
I also had that problem the first few times I sailed my 260. Finally, I stood on the tightening handle to get it real tight, then tightened and cleated the line that pulls DOWN the rudder at the top of the rudder post. That did the trick, but it really defeats the purpose of a kick-up rudder in case you hit something.
I also had that problem the first few times I sailed my 260. Finally, I stood on the tightening handle to get it real tight, then tightened and cleated the line that pulls DOWN the rudder at the top of the rudder post. That did the trick, but it really defeats the purpose of a kick-up rudder in case you hit something.
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Tom Wootton
Another option
The previous owner of my H26 had a custom wingnut fabricated for the rudder, with longer 'wings' for more leverage. The wings are made out of a bent piece of 1/4" x 1" bar stainless steel, with a SS nut welded on. You have to stand on the swim ladder in order to effectively tighten it, and you have to leave the wings in an up-and-down orientation to prevent it from gouging the transom. But it's worked so far, and presumably the kick-up function will still work (haven't tested that yet.)
The previous owner of my H26 had a custom wingnut fabricated for the rudder, with longer 'wings' for more leverage. The wings are made out of a bent piece of 1/4" x 1" bar stainless steel, with a SS nut welded on. You have to stand on the swim ladder in order to effectively tighten it, and you have to leave the wings in an up-and-down orientation to prevent it from gouging the transom. But it's worked so far, and presumably the kick-up function will still work (haven't tested that yet.)
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Rick Webb
There Was Alot of Discussion
a while ago about this. I cannot remember if it was for the 26 and 23.5 or if they are even that different but the solution was to tighten the other bolts that sandwich the rudder. Not so much that it will not go up and down but enough whereby tightening the wing nut puts more pressure on the rudder and keeps it down. Try that before you drill any holes or you hit something with it cleated.
a while ago about this. I cannot remember if it was for the 26 and 23.5 or if they are even that different but the solution was to tighten the other bolts that sandwich the rudder. Not so much that it will not go up and down but enough whereby tightening the wing nut puts more pressure on the rudder and keeps it down. Try that before you drill any holes or you hit something with it cleated.
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Paul Housman
Rudder raising up
Todd, we've got an 95 H26. Had the same problem. Called Hunter they suggested I replace the rubber gasket material. It has to be adhesive on one side. Rather than do that I took the course some of the other guys have suggested. Get it in the right position and cleat it down. Has worked well so far. just have to be aware when you get to shallow
Todd, we've got an 95 H26. Had the same problem. Called Hunter they suggested I replace the rubber gasket material. It has to be adhesive on one side. Rather than do that I took the course some of the other guys have suggested. Get it in the right position and cleat it down. Has worked well so far. just have to be aware when you get to shallow
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Michael Bell
On my H26...
...it had a bolt through the pivot (axis) position and a bolt with a wing-nut just above the top of the rudder. I switch their placement. I now have the bolt with the wing-nut on the axis bolt – and that keeps it in place. As for the line attached to the rudder, I felt it was more trouble then it was worth and removed it. Would definitely not sail with it tied down.
...it had a bolt through the pivot (axis) position and a bolt with a wing-nut just above the top of the rudder. I switch their placement. I now have the bolt with the wing-nut on the axis bolt – and that keeps it in place. As for the line attached to the rudder, I felt it was more trouble then it was worth and removed it. Would definitely not sail with it tied down.
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Paul
here's how mine is doen
The problem with the rudder floating up you basically have to tighten the bolt after you push the rudder down. Have a rope going from the rudder up through the pole and tie it to the nut and then to the cleat. This prevents it from getting cut. Just be careful Hunter doesn't stand behind rudder problems when they fall under warrenty!
The problem with the rudder floating up you basically have to tighten the bolt after you push the rudder down. Have a rope going from the rudder up through the pole and tie it to the nut and then to the cleat. This prevents it from getting cut. Just be careful Hunter doesn't stand behind rudder problems when they fall under warrenty!
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