Purpose of rudder shoe

[Justin Simpson]

I placed our 1980 Hunter 30 into a boatyard for a bottom job, and I was advised that there was some cracking in the hull at area where the rudder shoe attaches to the hull. Does anyone know whether the rudder shoe is only for hydrodymic or aesthetic purposes, or is it a structural support of the bottom of the rudder. Also, are there two upper rudder bearings on the rudder stock, to carry the lateral rudder forces and moment, such that the rudder shoe is not necessary? I am trying to decide whether I need to get into what appears will be a very substantial repair expense. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Tom M.]

You've got the only Hunter that takes a shoe

#0foot Cherubini designed boats are the only boat that has a skeg, a fuul skeg, and with a skeg or a rudder that attaches to the keel, it has a bronze end fitting, simular to a grudgen & pinion (hinge) sys. on a boat that has it's rudder attached to the stern, I shoe is what supports, the rudder without it it's like having a single hinge on a door, it doesn't work, so replace it.

 

[pat/shadowfox]

rudder attachment

I have a 1983 hunter30 that had a plate screwed on the the skeg base,which the rudder pivoted on.The plate fell off,upon calling the Hunter plant & talking to a older hunter expert who supposedly knows the boat, I was told that plate was un-necessary,that it provided no structrall support & that the skeg was,nt even necessary.I pulled the boat a year later & found no rudder movement or it being loose.