Hunter 29.5 rudder post

[gbavly]

How do I take the rudder off a Hunter 29.5? I think I need to do it since the rudder moves a little when I try shaking it. I wonder if it needs a new bearing or anything else.
I took the drive wheel off and was able to lower it 2 inches but then it hits something and would not come down any further. It is not jammed or anything (I can raise it back up). Is there any mechanism that holds it from dropping? How do I access it? From where?

Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

 

[Dave602]

As a fairly new owner to a 29.5 I would be interested to know what you find.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Let me know if your rudder post connects to steering gear in the same way as the H28.5. See pic below. If it's the same, I'll send you directions for removing the rudder.

 

[gbavly]

It is similar but not identical. No one else has offered any help yet so I will try to apply your directions if you don't mind sending.
Thank you

 

[Warren Milberg]

The hardest step in removing the rudder from my boat was ensuring that you either (1) have the boat in a Travelift, or (2) dig a pit deep enough to drop the rudder in. A high cradle may also work. Some have told me of dropping the rudder while in the water as the rudder is supposed to float, but I would not attempt that for a variety of obvious reasons.

Start by loosening the lock nuts on each of the two steering cables that wrap around the steering quadrants. Then unscrew the quandrant bolts and set them aside. On my boat, a bolt goes through the upper bearing and through the rudder post. Once you remove that bolt the rudder will drop to whatever distance below the boat you have for clearance. You will then see the lower bearing which is screwed to the hull. If you can move the lower bearing around without removing the screws, a common problem as the upper bearing often shears the heads off the screws holding the lowier bearing. If that is the case I suggest countersinking a number of new screws around the top of the lower bearing and seating them into the hull. Be aware that the rudder is quite heavy and so it helps to have two people to grab onto it once it has been released. Good luck with this.