Rebuilding Rudder Assembly- H26

[Paul H]

Well, It's getting to that time of the year when we pull the boat out and get her ready for the winter. I bought plastic shims and new rubber gaskets to replace the old ones which are worn and/or broken in the rudder assembly. My question how hard is it to do this on the hard? Any suggestions or pointers? Overall, it looks straight forward but I've said that before and ended up with a job and a half. Do I need instructions from Hunter?Appreciate the feed back.Paul HS/V Linda Belle95 H26

 

[Tom Hultberg]

Did it two years ago

Very easy and straight forward. If you have been getting "rudder creap" you will love the improvement next year!!

 

[BOB Schmit]

ME2

I did the rubber replacement a couple years ago too, but didn't want to do it again so I bottom painted the rudder (white) and don't raise it anymore when I leave the marina. I think the constant up and down movement of raising and lowering caused the rubber sheets to wear and tear. So the rudder is lowered in the spring after launching and raised in fall when it is pulled. And... I won't have to do it anymore as we just bought a 30T Hunter! Looking for a good home for our much loved 26 now.

 

[Paul H]

Hey Bob!!!

How envolved is it? I saw a post on the HOW site of a guy who did his rudder on a 19'. He layed it all out on a blanket. Can the gaskets be installed without taking the tiller arm and assembly off the boat? I'm like you I don't raise or lower my rudder much. We slip our boat. But the boat is 7 years old and the previous owner trailered it a lot. Thanks for any advice.Paul H S/V Linda Belle95 H26

 

[BOB Schmit]

Paul H

Sorry I took so long to respond-I'm trying to get my old boat H26 "Nodee"ready for sale and at same time winterizing my new boat "Hey Jude" a '92 30T Hunter. You will need to take the rudder assembly off the boat and when you take the assembly apart the bolts for tiller have to come out also. I only needed one of the two rubber gasket material for my rudder as only one tore-if you need only one to repair yours,let me know and I will send it to you. I used a two part epoxy that worked well to glue the new rubber in place. It is called PC11 and was recommended by someone on this site and works very well. I also replaced the "pipe" tiller with a custom wood one I had made from a company in Claifornia. I hated the metal pipe and the pivot hole in it was very worn anyway so instead of repairing something I didn't like I replaced it with a better functioning better looking replacement. Any other questions-email is Bobnodee@juno.com