Hunter 23 Tiller Problem

[Steve Wise]

My boat is an 1986 Hunter 23 Wing Keel The tiller will not stay down, but rather remains in the kicked-up position. How can I fix this problem?Thanks for your help.Steve Wise

 

[Mike Epp]

tiller?

Are you sure you're not referring to the rudder? Should be a cleat and line system on the transom to hold it down.........or you could tighten the nut at the pivot point. I replaced the bolt with all thread and 2 large wing nuts (handle nuts). Look in the archives.......much discussion on this topic.

 

[Greg Stebbins]

Self rising tiller?

Steve,Unless some previous owner did something really strange inside the rudder box, it's got to be the rudder you're talking about. If it goes down when you pull the line, then your problem's the cleat's not holding. If it is the tiller, does it have anything odd (like a backstay adjuster or the line to lower the rudder) attached directly to it? If so, that's wrong and should be changed.

 

[Jim Kolstoe]

The rudder also rises

Steve: Having sailed the same type boat as you have since 1986, the only time the tiller has "risen" is when I did something painfull to my knee. The tiller is the funnly looking stick you push or pull to steer. The rudder is the large (generally wihite fiberglass) water foil that sticks down into the water that actually controls your boat's direction. There should be a large padeye on rounded top of the rudder. A rope runs from the padeye out a turning block in the back of the rudder housing, and up to a cam cleat. Make sure everything is present and working. Do not give in to any temtation to replace the cam cleat with "something that won't let lose." Most of my sailling is on a reservior with a lot of tree stumps. Because the rudder has significantly deeper draft that the keel, it is normally the first thing to hit bottom. Mine hits and kicks loose a couple of times a year. Its better than having to conduct emergency repairs so you can get home.