Rudder Bearing Failure, No help from Hunter !

[Doug Kimbrell]

I recently was hauled for a bottom job and found very loose rudder bearings after only 3-1/2 years and only 2,500 miles of total use. The shipyard removed the rudder and bearings and to my dismay the rudder stock had a finish that looked like a file. The surface finish was checked and found to be 175 where as a bearing surface I would expect 32 to 64 RMS max. After several calls to both Hunter and Foss Foam by both myself and Seabrook shipyard, I made my own bearings, and spent considerable time to hand polish the rudder stock to a suitable finish. The boat is fine now but Hunter and Foss refused to help in what was a very definate case of poor quality. The response from Hunter really surprised me. If your 37.5 is a 96 model you may want to look at the rudder for looseness at the next quick haul. But don't look to Hunter for help.

 

[Darcy Peck]

You Are Not Alone

Doug. My 1999 Hunter 340 has a loose rudder bearing found after the first year of use. Hunter claims the bearing material will expand in warmer weather & tighten up. I disagree & was able to have the warranty on the rudder extended to determine if this is the case. If the bearings on both boats is of similar material your situation would tend to support my opinion. I have to prove to them that their suggestion is incorrect then press for repairs.

 

[TONY GIACCIO]

CUTLESS BEARING FAILURE

ON MY 1973 LEGEND 37.5 AFTER INDICATING TO THE DEALER (WHEN NEW) THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION @ 2800RPM HE INDICATED THAT WAS NORMAL.AFTER 7YRS AND LESS THAN 700 HRS MY CUTLESS BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO.THE VIBARTION BECAME EXCESSIVE IN THE 6TH YEAR.I HAD ANISLANDER FOE 19 YRS AND NEVER NEEDED A BEARING REPLACED.SOUNDS LIKE POOR WORKMANSHIP TO ME.ANY HELP FRM.HUNTER NOW?????