hunter 26 rudder
- Thread starter dam boat
- Start date
If not damaged the rudder should float up when released by the hold down line and untightening the bolt in the rudder head via handle. It is easier to raise the remaining b hand by simply standing by the transom ladder and then securing.
look at your rudder to see if the two halves have separated. If so, water has penetrated into the rudder and needs to come off, stand up to drain, dry out and then repaired.
I have seen a couple of times where folks would drill a hole into the rudder to attach a line. Not good due to water penetration. MacGregor on some either the center board or rudder did that but had no foam in it. It is the foam when wet that can cause an issue.
I have seen a couple of times where folks would drill a hole into the rudder to attach a line. Not good due to water penetration. MacGregor on some either the center board or rudder did that but had no foam in it. It is the foam when wet that can cause an issue.
My 1994 H26 rudder is quite heavy - does not float. You need to loosen the wing nut that clamps the rudder in position and the up haul line will pull it to about horizontal, but not further. To get it the rest of the way I either use a boat hook to pull it toward me, or a spare line made into a lasso and carefully tossed over the rudder and then tightened. I normally keep the rudder up and lassoed, and cleated off, when at the dock. Either of these requires some minor technique and practice, but the previous owner said it wasn't possible without taking a step down the swim ladder with the ladder down, and getting your foot wet while grabbing the rudder by hand. So I guess I'm happy I don't get wet and I think either of these methods are much safer than stepping aft and off the transom.
Also, with the wing nut loose especially, it requires some care for the rudder up haul (is looped and also serves as down haul) line to not get out of position with the guides - wedged in between the rudder and rudder side retaining plates - which will bind the rudder tightly in some undesired position. If stuck, you need to loosen the wing nut even more to free and properly align the line again. Not loosening the wing nut too much, and also maintaining a slight tension on the line while hauling up the rudder by lasso or boathook, seem to solve the problem of the line wanting to bind.
It took some practice but now is usually pretty straightforward. If anyone has a better solution, I'd love to hear it discussed.
Also, with the wing nut loose especially, it requires some care for the rudder up haul (is looped and also serves as down haul) line to not get out of position with the guides - wedged in between the rudder and rudder side retaining plates - which will bind the rudder tightly in some undesired position. If stuck, you need to loosen the wing nut even more to free and properly align the line again. Not loosening the wing nut too much, and also maintaining a slight tension on the line while hauling up the rudder by lasso or boathook, seem to solve the problem of the line wanting to bind.
It took some practice but now is usually pretty straightforward. If anyone has a better solution, I'd love to hear it discussed.
Good to see you still around Jeff;
We had over 60 inches of snow in oone month and of course I went stir CRAZY
We had over 60 inches of snow in oone month and of course I went stir CRAZY
Jeff
Exactly how I raise my rudder. It sits in water here in south Florida with rudder up when parked.
Exactly how I raise my rudder. It sits in water here in south Florida with rudder up when parked.
LARRY;
Imagine one of the first 26's going down the road for delivery when a truck blows it big horn. I pulled over. Did not need to leave it up. The bottom of that rudder was smoothly sanded on the bottom by the road. Thank goodness I had another 26 in the yard to steal from but ouch on the new rudder not to mention crazy pride.
Imagine one of the first 26's going down the road for delivery when a truck blows it big horn. I pulled over. Did not need to leave it up. The bottom of that rudder was smoothly sanded on the bottom by the road. Thank goodness I had another 26 in the yard to steal from but ouch on the new rudder not to mention crazy pride.
I drilled a half inch hole in the back of the rudder about two inches above the rudder bracket. Filled it with epoxy. Re drilled it with a quarter inch bit and put a long shackle in it. Then attached the uphaul line to the shackle. Now when I rise the rudder it comes all the way up with very little effort. I then use the left over line to wrap around the rudder to secure it to the boat while going down the road. I also moved the cleat from the bottom of the tiller to the top of the tiller where it is easer to access. I left the down haul where it was. This works great foe me.
rimadams
Good idea for large hole filled with expoxy but eventually the shackle will rub thru the epoxy. You might want to put a tube in so the shackle will go thru that held in place by the epoxy which would prevent chafing by the shackle thru the epoxy.
Good idea for large hole filled with expoxy but eventually the shackle will rub thru the epoxy. You might want to put a tube in so the shackle will go thru that held in place by the epoxy which would prevent chafing by the shackle thru the epoxy.
Here are some pictures of my rudder up-haul line. Also some of my downhaul line wrapped around the rudder.
