Hunter 170 - Broken rudderhead - old style

[fendertubeman]

Hi folks,
I have a mid-1990s Hunter 170. It has the older style rudder (I was told by Hunter that is was sourced from Vanguard years ago but I can't find the rudder anywhere on the web). Anyway, there is a threaded plastic bolt that connects the rudder blade to the rudderhead. That bolt sheared off when sailing in some shallow water - so much for the pop-up rudder! Does anyone have an idea where I can purchase one?

Here is a link to some photos of the rudder and broken piece.

http://ramseyfac.blogspot.com/

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Greg

 

[txjim]

The Hunter contact was provided to me on a prior thread:

Mike Thomas at Hunter Marine 800-771-5556xt 3615

Give him a try first.

 

[fendertubeman]

Thanks for the reply.
Yes, I spoke with Mike Thomas and he saw the pictures. He suggested searching the web for Vanguard rudders, but none of the Vanguard rudders I saw looked like the one that came with the older Hunter 170. I did see an old promo photo of a Hunter 170 that has my rudder, so I know it's not some odd-ball aftermarket modification. I even tried calling JY in Connecticut, but their phone number is no longer in service. I really don't want to have to shell out $480 for a replacement IdaSailor rudder.... Thanks anyway. Greg

 

[txjim]

Sorry about that. I was looking at your photos to see if something could be fabricated. From the photos I don't see the big picture but do the featherbolts fit into gudgeons or do they secure to something else? I'm wondering if the plastic pieces can be replaced with stainless without damaging the mating piece. If so, perhaps a plastic block threaded to accept a stainless threaded rod or even simply a pin drilled to accept a cotter pin.

Sorry if I'm way off base here; I'm not familiar with your hardware.

 

[fendertubeman]

Thanks for your reply. It is very strange that I can not find a single reference to this rudder anywhere on the web - and I've looked for hours! My Hunter 170 is a 1998, but the rudder show in the owners manual is not the same as mine - not even close. Regarding your question, the rudderhead shown in the photos attached directly to the gudgeons via a 8" stainless pin - that's it - pretty standard. My game plan now is this. Since the part sheared in the threaded region, I am going to put devcon plastic weld on the break and then screw a stainless nut over the break section. Hopefully that will keep the two sections together. If not, I figure I will then try a stainless eye-bolt with plastic spacers and other modifications. Thanks again for your input. Greg