I want to drop the rudder of the Hunter while it's on the travel lift. (Unsure if there's enough clearance once it's on the stands... I also understand how high they block it will mater too.) The boat will be on the hard until April but since I've never removed a Hunter rudder, I need some help. I know there's a chain and sprockets... and I suppect there's a couple of collars with set screws. Can anyone give me some pointers? Any idea of the rudder weight? Thanks, Mike
How To Remove Rudder on 33.5
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33.5 Rudder Removal
Mike: I removed mine a few years ago. It comes off very easily. There are probably instructions for doing so in the Edson catalogue or on their web site. After you remove the section of the cockpit floor directly behind the wheel (6 screws, on my 1989), you will see the stainless steel rudder post protruding from the through the steering quadrant. What you see, is all that holds the rudder to the boat. Removing the bolts that clamp the quadrant sections to the post and the one large bolt that runs through the post, will allow the rudder to drop through the bottom of the boat. It is heavy. You will want two or three folks to help you secure it and lower it to the ground. Good luck, Ron
Mike: I removed mine a few years ago. It comes off very easily. There are probably instructions for doing so in the Edson catalogue or on their web site. After you remove the section of the cockpit floor directly behind the wheel (6 screws, on my 1989), you will see the stainless steel rudder post protruding from the through the steering quadrant. What you see, is all that holds the rudder to the boat. Removing the bolts that clamp the quadrant sections to the post and the one large bolt that runs through the post, will allow the rudder to drop through the bottom of the boat. It is heavy. You will want two or three folks to help you secure it and lower it to the ground. Good luck, Ron
Thank You Cap'n Ron
A little different than I thought. Ouch! Two or three folks... It's Heavy!! Might be a problem for a 10 minute job Saturday. I hate to have to pay them to lift her back up another time. I'll try to get them to block the boat up as much as possible. Mike
A little different than I thought. Ouch! Two or three folks... It's Heavy!! Might be a problem for a 10 minute job Saturday. I hate to have to pay them to lift her back up another time. I'll try to get them to block the boat up as much as possible. Mike
I dug the hole to pull the rudder
at least three times to stay within my Hunter Budget. I loosen the steering cables before removing the quadrant bolts. Blocked up the rudder and lowered it myself three time (and sent it to Foss twice) Get 'er Done!
at least three times to stay within my Hunter Budget. I loosen the steering cables before removing the quadrant bolts. Blocked up the rudder and lowered it myself three time (and sent it to Foss twice) Get 'er Done!
Bolts can be a real problem...
which makes a simple job more difficult. On my '93 37.5, similar setup I think, we couldn't get the bolts out of the quadrants. I couldn't and wound up drilling them out and replacing with a nut/bolt combo. (SS takes a long, long time to drill.) Try to loosen the bolts before you get the boat in the sling. My marina was familiar with the problem, especially in the Edson product. Apparently the aluminum quadrant/ss bolt mix is the problem, the two metals result in a fused(?) bolt unless the threads were coated beforehand (can't remember what to use.) These boats weren't treated originally, so it's a problem unless a P.O. did it. Marina suggested that soaking the bolts in white vinegar for days and days would help loosen them. Didn't work for me but it's one suggestion. Anyway, don't count on an easy drop unless you have the bolts loose beforehand.
which makes a simple job more difficult. On my '93 37.5, similar setup I think, we couldn't get the bolts out of the quadrants. I couldn't and wound up drilling them out and replacing with a nut/bolt combo. (SS takes a long, long time to drill.) Try to loosen the bolts before you get the boat in the sling. My marina was familiar with the problem, especially in the Edson product. Apparently the aluminum quadrant/ss bolt mix is the problem, the two metals result in a fused(?) bolt unless the threads were coated beforehand (can't remember what to use.) These boats weren't treated originally, so it's a problem unless a P.O. did it. Marina suggested that soaking the bolts in white vinegar for days and days would help loosen them. Didn't work for me but it's one suggestion. Anyway, don't count on an easy drop unless you have the bolts loose beforehand.
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