Rudder Bushing Play

[jkduff]

I just hauled out my 1991 35.5 ft Hunter Legend because the rudder hit something hard, and it sustained minor damage on the bottom of the rudder, and I am having the fiberglass repaired.

There is about 2-3 mm of play in the rudder shaft bushing, i.e. it moves about 2-3 mm in any direction when I apply pressure to the rudder. Is this normal wear for a 31 year old boat? Is it anything I need to worry about or somehow repair?

 

[jon hansen]

of course it needs to be fixed.

 

[dmax]

As jon says, needs fixin', check out this thread: Another Rudder bushing thread- 1990 hunter Legend 35.5

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Not a difficult repair to give you peace of mind but no Imminent danger. You can choose to ‘wait and watch’ meaning continue sailing as is to see if 1. It is noticeable in steering feel or 2. If it seems to be getting worse or you hear banging.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I discovered about the same slop in my h40.5 rudder 4 years after manufacture. I have never looked for slop prior to discovery. After talking with the factory and a couple of Hunter dealers, I learned that the amount of slop varies from boat to boat. Some are snug and some have slop like mine. The factory told me that the bearing design life was at least 50 years with normal seasonal use.

I check it every year. Now at 25 years old, the amount of slop has not increased.

Go sailing. Check yearly.

 

[JamesG161]

I agree, check it yearly.

That play is not much.

If it was 2 inches

Rudder bearing change is difficult, at best.
Jim...

 

[Dean Strong]

Mine is the same after 30 years. Check out West Systems repair--injecting epoxy into the rudder tube. A lot easier than dropping the rudder and replacing the bearing.