Hunter 28 steering and other ridiculous problems

[nautikal]

My 1990 Hunter 28 steering requires "Hands On" at all times whilst motoring. If you let go the steering wheel the boat will gently start to turn to Starboard for about 5 seconds then rapidly turn in a violent manner. However whilst sailing this does not happen. I have found other Hunter owners experience the same problem with lesser degrees.
I spoke to the Hunter guru and he agrees it is prop walk..but said it should not be violent.
I am wandering if any other hunter has found a way to correct this very bad fault..(My C&C 30 never had this problem) Is it a bad alignment of the engine and would a three bladed prop have less or more effect.

I would really appreciate help on this problem.

#2 The lower Rudder bearing is only held in place by 3m5200 and has come loose twice so now I have wear at the top nylon bearing Anyone else noticed their rudder is loose or the radial wheel moves around when you when steering instead of just turning smoothly ????
Anyone had any modifications done??

#3 Has anyone come up with a good method of checking the fuel in the tank that some idiotic
imbecile designer put in such a ridiculous place. I have installed an hour meter for giving me a rough idea of how much is left in the tank but that designer should be shot for his stupidity. There is being cheap and being bereft of common sense. How much extra would an aluminium tank and a gauge have cost ...Wholesale less than $40.

#4 Are you fed up with rain coming in the closed hatch...well just drill through the three holes that are supposed to drain the rain away then on the inside of the wood or plastic lower door panel file the holes yo have made into a "V"...It helps big time to prevent "Hydraulic cling" another thing the designer does not know about. Rain will and provide an escape route. climb up the inside due to the pressure of the board on the bottom of the sill will prevent rain from escaping through the holes i the metal frame. The "V" slots you have now created will lessen the build up.

nautikal@live.com

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

1. Once you rudder begins to turn, the wash from the prop will exacerbate the turn. That is true of any boat. While sailing, if your sails are well balanced, the boat should hold a course without constant attention to the rudder.

2. The lower bearing is delrin and will wear under normal conditions over time causing them both to wear and therefore wabble. Consider replacing the bearing as part of your routine maintenance.

3.Most fuel tanks are tucked into awkward places simply because consumers want lots of easily accessible storage not consumed by tankage. If the absence of a tank monitor concerns you, why not install a gauge with a remote monitor?

 

[kloudie1]

A balanced spade rudder will behave that way under power. It is the price you pay for having a very responsive and lively helm.. An unbalanced skeg hung rudder does not typically behave that way, nor is it nearly as responsive..
A wheel brake or an autopilot can help make this problem tolerable.

 

[Tally Ho]

My 1990 Hunter 28 steering requires "Hands On" at all times whilst motoring. If you let go the steering wheel the boat will gently start to turn to Starboard for about 5 seconds then rapidly turn in a violent manner. However whilst sailing this does not happen. I have found other Hunter owners experience the same problem with lesser degrees.
I spoke to the Hunter guru and he agrees it is prop walk..but said it should not be violent.
I am wandering if any other hunter has found a way to correct this very bad fault..(My C&C 30 never had this problem) Is it a bad alignment of the engine and would a three bladed prop have less or more effect.

I would really appreciate help on this problem.

#3 Has anyone come up with a good method of checking the fuel in the tank that some idiotic
imbecile designer put in such a ridiculous place. I have installed an hour meter for giving me a rough idea of how much is left in the tank but that designer should be shot for his stupidity. There is being cheap and being bereft of common sense. How much extra would an aluminium tank and a gauge have cost ...Wholesale less than $40.



nautikal@live.com

I have a 1996 Hunter 280, and mine will also swerve when under auxiliary power, but not under sail. I typically lock,the when, or more often than not set the AP to hold course when motoring somI can do other things.

My boat has a fuel gauge on the engine control panel. My tank is not accessible either, but it is plastic and has a gauge.

Greg

 

[nautikal]

Hunter 28 abnormalities response reply

1. Once you rudder begins to turn, the wash from the prop will exacerbate the turn. That is true of any boat. While sailing, if your sails are well balanced, the boat should hold a course without constant attention to the rudder.

2. The lower bearing is delrin and will wear under normal conditions over time causing them both to wear and therefore wabble. Consider replacing the bearing as part of your routine maintenance.

3.Most fuel tanks are tucked into awkward places simply because consumers want lots of easily accessible storage not consumed by tankage. If the absence of a tank monitor concerns you, why not install a gauge with a remote monitor?

In a well balanced and designed boat such as my original C&C 30 Mk II prop walk was not a problem as the pressure applied to either side of the rudder gave equal balanced aerodynamic lifts. The main problem is the engine alignment was not considered when designing the boat...a slight offset (as per C&C 30 would give slightly more lift on one side than the other the cancelling out prop walk.

Re the fuel tank. The fuel tank is plastic and unless you were one of Snow Whites dwarfs it is inaccessible but let me say Many thanks for your information on the Bearings .I wonder if Hunter still carries them or I will have to get a couple made .

 

[nautikal]

Thanks to all who replied. Yes the plastic tank is inaccessible unless you are a midget so I will have to live with the calculations of 1.3 litres per hour.

Putting the steering lock on can be problematic in an emergency .and it would also be expensive to re-align the engine and prop to give the right mount of aerodynamic thrust to the rudder to counterbalance the prop walk so guess we will have to live with it unless I win the lotto !!!! Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply...much appreciated