Hi, I have a 1991 hunter legend 35.5 with a somewhat loose rudder. It moves laterally about 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch. Is that normal for this type of boat, given that the post is pretty short (about 1.5 feet tops). do I need to drop the rudder to replace the bearing? thanks in advance for any tips. Dave
Rudder Bearing
- Thread starter dwp
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That sounds like a bit of 'slop' on your rudder shaft.
Since your rudder is just a plain spade rudder (eg., not skeg hung) there is no lower bearing or gudgeon bushing as such. There may be some kind of packing gland (like the stuffing box) and/or bushing at the top and bottom of the rudder shaft though. I would guess it would be a lot easier to assess what bushings/bearings you have if you drop the rudder.
Hopefully another Hunter owner will chime in on the set up they used to bush the rudder shaft.
Good luck.
Since your rudder is just a plain spade rudder (eg., not skeg hung) there is no lower bearing or gudgeon bushing as such. There may be some kind of packing gland (like the stuffing box) and/or bushing at the top and bottom of the rudder shaft though. I would guess it would be a lot easier to assess what bushings/bearings you have if you drop the rudder.
Hopefully another Hunter owner will chime in on the set up they used to bush the rudder shaft.
Good luck.
Your answer may lie here: http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=158859&highlight=rudder bearing . I did not see a mention of a stuffing box but there must be one. You should be able to see that back there somewhere.
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