I just purchased a used Hunter 22 and am beginning to do some winter refurb on it and have a question regarding the rudder assembly. I believe the rudder kick-up feature on the boat was disabled and I want to put it back. The attached photo shows how it looks now that I removed one of the bolts they had used to pin the rudder so it would not swing. I then reattached the line to the rudder and thru the pulleys and cleat as shown. When I pull tightly lock the line into the cleat, the rudder will not swing up, but now I have a hole in the assemble and rudder. My question is: do I insert an easily removal pin in the empty hole, or fill it ? Is there any reason I should not reactivate the kick-up feature? I figure since the boat has a swing keel, it should have a swing rudder. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks Jim
- Status
Options.
I would prime and paint the bracket to try and keep rust at bay. I would also fill the holes in the rudder to keep water out of the foam core.
I would prime and paint the bracket to try and keep rust at bay. I would also fill the holes in the rudder to keep water out of the foam core.
Shear Pin Approach
I used to own a Santana 21 that had a similar rudder. If I was sailing in water that I knew was deep and there was no danger of hitting anything, I would put a small bold through the hole. When I was sailing in unfamilier waters or where I knew it would possibly be shallow, I used a small dowel that would shear if I hit anything. It is important to keep the swivel bolt tight to help hold the rudder down. If this looks like a hack modification and there is a danger of getting water in the core, I agree with Steve that the hole should be sealed. Good luck and fair sailing!
I used to own a Santana 21 that had a similar rudder. If I was sailing in water that I knew was deep and there was no danger of hitting anything, I would put a small bold through the hole. When I was sailing in unfamilier waters or where I knew it would possibly be shallow, I used a small dowel that would shear if I hit anything. It is important to keep the swivel bolt tight to help hold the rudder down. If this looks like a hack modification and there is a danger of getting water in the core, I agree with Steve that the hole should be sealed. Good luck and fair sailing!
H 22 rudder
The rudder is desined to float up and be pulled down by the line inside the houseing.
The rudder is desined to float up and be pulled down by the line inside the houseing.
Thanks for your input and help
Thanks, exactly the input I was looking for. From the diagram I see that mine was modified slightly but I can take care of that. Jim
Thanks, exactly the input I was looking for. From the diagram I see that mine was modified slightly but I can take care of that. Jim
More Thoughts
I trailer my H22 so I love the kick-up rudder. The other advantage is for sailing in shallow. I would fill the other hole with Marine Text. When I am at ancor or in a slip I will put my rudder up and keep it out of the water. My boat tends to swing on the ancor and I don't think that the rudder being up or down effects that. One thing that you have to watch is the rudder kicking up when you are sailing. Make sure that the rope is secured and this won't cause a problem. One semi-related subject is the gludgeons. I highly recommend putting new lock washers and lock nuts on the bolts that hold the gludgeons. It is a miserable experience to be out in 2 foot waves and have a bolt come out (trust me on this one).
I trailer my H22 so I love the kick-up rudder. The other advantage is for sailing in shallow. I would fill the other hole with Marine Text. When I am at ancor or in a slip I will put my rudder up and keep it out of the water. My boat tends to swing on the ancor and I don't think that the rudder being up or down effects that. One thing that you have to watch is the rudder kicking up when you are sailing. Make sure that the rope is secured and this won't cause a problem. One semi-related subject is the gludgeons. I highly recommend putting new lock washers and lock nuts on the bolts that hold the gludgeons. It is a miserable experience to be out in 2 foot waves and have a bolt come out (trust me on this one).
- Status