Loose Rudder

[Deanobrf]

Loose Rudder H25 2007

I have just imported a 2007 Hunter 25. The rudder had been removed for shipping but just required the two attachment bolts to be refitted. To my surprise even with the handle nut tightened as much as possible the rudder still swings back very easily, I cannot believe the weight will keep it down with movement through the water. I emailed Marlow-Hunter and Eddie kindly sent all the factory installation photos and instructions and all looks good. Can anyone throw some light on this for me please ?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

If you got the information from Hunter or should I say from Eddie, you got the all the information and if it looks and feels fine, no sweat,. Take some photos of the pintels and gudegeons and post them here so we can verify all is well.

 

[Deanobrf]

Thanks Dave, really appreciate all help othis one, I also found this thread by a google search as a search on the site didn't produce anything. http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=119978 the photos do show the pulley underneath the lifting arm which may help hold it down and I will check tomorrow. If this does not work will take some pics of how it currently is and post later.

Eddie Breeden(Marlow-Hunter after sales) also came back again earlier and suggested drilling a new hole using a Delron cotter pin to hold rudder down that should hopefully shear on rudder contact, he has been great with help on MSO also.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

That delron pin was there to lock the rudder in place but also to break in the event of hitting an underwater object or grounding. Never use a bolt of any kind. There is one thought, you should have a lock down or really tensioning handle on the side of the rudder housing. Can you take a photo and advise. I am most interested if you have anything on the inside of the rudder housing and rudder head like a big plastic washer or some type of gripping material.

 

[Deanobrf]

Thanks Dave, still not got near boat last couple of days due that horrible word that pays for it..."work" I should definitely get down to yacht club Friday or Saturday, will take a much closer look and pics. There is no Delron pin(not that I know what it looks like !) also nowhere to install it to lock the rudder down. I am sure there is a nylon bush inside the rudder main pivot point and for sure there is the handle on a nut which can only be there to tighten things up, No washers between rudder and housing but obviously no friction, there are nylon and steel washers between handle and rudder housing and same with the bolt head on other side. Cheers Dave appreciate your interest and help.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Please send me photos to davecondon@mindspring.com and post them here as well. I will respond back to you\

 

[Deanobrf]

Hi Dave, had another close look today but not much to report apart from initial attachment point for raising wrong per Hunter drawings. However this does not help stopping the rudder from swinging back easily. The rudder nylon bush is worn but even so the welded nut handle does not tighten the stock onto it enough to stop the swing, having a tab washer on the bolt head might help it rotating but used a spanner to hold and still cannot tighten enough. Eddie from marlow-hunter suggested the Delron pin so have attached a couple of pictures with possible pin location, until I go to UK can't buy a proper shear pin so am toying with the idea of glue stick from another thread I came across for now. Cheers Deano

 

[Deanobrf]

I am looking at the following locations in attached pictures to place a hold down nylon shear pin, any comments most welcomed.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I would be cautious of drilling any holes in the rudder because of water penetration into the rudder itself which could adversely affect the core of the rudder if below the rudder line.

The metal tang or strap that is attached to the back side of the rudder head, can you drill another hole in it to shorten the distance. That should be able to raise the rudder out more. I think that is what I did to the rudders on the 25 I sold in order to get the rudder further out of the water.

As for locking the rudder down, adding two more delrin bushings or a thick style neophrene gasket in addition to the delrin should solve that problem. Let me know what you think?

 

[Deanobrf]

Thanks Dave, funny enough a colleague said exactly same as you about water ingress when drilling a hole. The points to drill I was looking is above the water line as you can see, maybe I could think about getting some resin into the hole. I like the idea of some rubber washers glued where the plastic bush has worn which might add enough friction to hold the rudder down. I am not concerned about raising the rudder any further only making sure it stays down but will still kick up on any impact and only because its lower than the keel !!

Best Regards,

Dean

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

try my suggestion first.

 

[Deanobrf]

Ok, have no idea where to get Delrin Bushes from so can look into neoprene gasket idea. The other thing I found was to tightening the lifting arm mechanism at its swivel point helps which I can do once launched as I no reason to lift the rudder on the wet mooring.

 

[Kestle]

Ok, have no idea where to get Delrin Bushes from so can look into neoprene gasket idea. The other thing I found was to tightening the lifting arm mechanism at its swivel point helps which I can do once launched as I no reason to lift the rudder on the wet mooring.

Go to Master-Carr for the bushings.

Jeff

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Jeff;

I think this fellow is in the Middle east

 

[Deanobrf]

Thanks Jeff, McMaster-Carr is a cracking site and catalogue huge, forgot about them as we have a catalogue at work.

 

[Deanobrf]

Yep your correct Dave, Bahrain to be exact but will be in Germany for first couple of months next year so can probably find something there that will do at least on rubber grommets.