Repairing a Rudder Snapped Off at the Top

[jimfrankelly]

The rudder on my 2002 Hunter 270 snapped off at the top where it is held by the stainless steel bracket. This happened when it kicked up, as it is designed to do, during high wind & wave conditions. Can it be repaired ??

The core appears to be a solid, hard plastic that is reddish in color. I have considered joining the 2 sections by drilling oversized holes in both halves, filling the holes with an epoxy putty & inserting fiberglass or carbon fiber rods. That would be followed by grinding the glass down on both sides & reglassing across the split.

Advice would be appreciated !!!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The 270 was the keel version of the 260. When you describe the core being hard plastic and reddish in color, that does not sound like the orginal rudder coming from Foss Foam which built that for Hunter. Can you provide a photo please as it is worth a thousand words.

Generally, the rudder would need to be replaced but somewhat confused by your description of it.

crazy dave condon

 

[jimfrankelly]

Repairing Rudder Snapped off at the top

The 270 was the keel version of the 260. When you describe the core being hard plastic and reddish in color, that does not sound like the orginal rudder coming from Foss Foam which built that for Hunter. Can you provide a photo please as it is worth a thousand words.

Generally, the rudder would need to be replaced but somewhat confused by your description of it.

crazy dave condon

I was hoping you would reply & thank you for replying.It definitely looks like hard reddish plastic, not foam. On some postings from around 2002 & 2003 there was a mention that the rudder manufacturer (FOSS ?) had switched to paste in the upper area of the rudder to try to curtail the problems with rudders breaking.

 

[jimfrankelly]

Repairing Rudder Snapped Off at the Top

The 270 was the keel version of the 260. When you describe the core being hard plastic and reddish in color, that does not sound like the orginal rudder coming from Foss Foam which built that for Hunter. Can you provide a photo please as it is worth a thousand words.

Generally, the rudder would need to be replaced but somewhat confused by your description of it.

crazy dave condon

I forgot to mention that I am traveling in the USA for the next 8 days so cannot take photos. I will see if I can get a friend to take photos. Thanks

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

davecondon@mindspring.com Send me a photo and your phone number. thanks

 

[Bob 04 H260]

here are a few pictures of Jim's broken rudder on his 270....I have more if these do not answer the questions.........
Bob

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Jim;

I would suggest contac ting Bob at Foss Foam for a new rudder. I was afraid of the area and damage now seeing the photos. The problem is that it would be very difficult and I would not guarantee you could permaently fix it based on what you would do. I am sure you are good at fiberglassing and the bolts and rods are good ideas but others have tried that in the past and were not successful. I would buy a new rudder is my suggestion to you.

dave condon