Hunter rudder removal

[R Bounds]

Anyone have experience dropping the rudder off a 1979 Hunter 30. I've removed the steering quadrant and loosened the water seal off the rudder tube log but still can't seem to figure out exactly how the rudder comes loose. Does the skeg have to be dropped away from the hull to get the rudder free? I sent an email to Hunter but have not received a reply; maybe no one still working there that built these older boats -LOL. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ken Palmer]

Where is the hole?

Silly question... Where is the hole under the rudder? Maybe you are going to have the boat lifted, or dig the hole when it starts to drop.

I removed the rudder on my '81 Hunter 33, which did not have a skeg. Here are some photos that I dug up.

 

[R Bounds]

The boat is currently sitting in my lift at the house; height is not a problem. There is not enough slack between the skeg foot where the stainless bushing is and the bottom of the boat for the rudder to lift out. Scratching my head at this point. Unless something comes apart inside the rudder I'm at a loss.

Silly question... Where is the hole under the rudder? Maybe you are going to have the boat lifted, or dig the hole when it starts to drop.

I removed the rudder on my '81 Hunter 33, which did not have a skeg. Here are some photos that I dug up.

View attachment 21875

View attachment 21876

View attachment 21877

 

[Steve C.]

I have never done it, but from searching here I read you must remove the skeg to remove the rudder.

 

[Dalliance]

It looks identical to my '82 Hunter 30. I don't know of a way to remove the bushing at the bottom of the skeg or disassemble anything inside the rudder. I think you have to drop the skeg. I assume that's why it's designed sort of like an external mounted keel.
Mine has a solid wood core and is attached with about a half dozen SS lag bolts which are not easy to access. We dropped the skeg 3 years ago because there was some delamination do to water getting inside the skeg and freezing during the winter.