This weekend I was sailing on a 2002 Hunter from Block Island to Stamford, Ct. and at about 1:00 am we lost our rudder! The wind at the time was about 20 knots with 5 ft. waves. About 2 hours earlier we encountered 30-35 knot winds and 5-8 ft. waves. We reefed the main and brought in the jib. Everything was fine as the boat was under full control. The rudder failure did not take place until later on when the wind velocity decreased to 18-20 knots. We had to call in for a tow, which we learned the next day will cost a small fortune. It appears that the rudder post cracked all the way at the top as we have a one to two inch stub still sticking out out of the bottom of the boat. The fact that we lost the rudder is very unsettling because this boat receives complete attention when it comes to maintenance and seasonal inspections Furthermore, after this has happened, I found post by other Hunter owners on the net who have experienced similar rudder failures. This is a very young boat and this should not have happened! Does anyone whether Hunter will step in and cover this under the warranty? What is the best way to proceed with them to seek full reimbursement for all the expenses arising out of this defect? Thank you for your assistance. Mike
- Status
Check with Hunter...
...to see about the warranty. I thik they still get thrm from a third party manufacturer. Good Luck!
...to see about the warranty. I thik they still get thrm from a third party manufacturer. Good Luck!
Sure They Will Make It Right
See Phil's note about them being closed due to hurricane-caused power outages. Regardless, we'd like to find out what the failure assessment is and how they follow through. Another 46-series had a failure offshore, but the owner said he hit something. Too bad it spoils your sailing time!
See Phil's note about them being closed due to hurricane-caused power outages. Regardless, we'd like to find out what the failure assessment is and how they follow through. Another 46-series had a failure offshore, but the owner said he hit something. Too bad it spoils your sailing time!
Recurring theme on 466s?
several 466s have had similar fate. Is there a design problem with these rudders? Or this is much to do about nothing? Only asking because had future thoughts about a 466. abe
several 466s have had similar fate. Is there a design problem with these rudders? Or this is much to do about nothing? Only asking because had future thoughts about a 466. abe
Only This and Another I am Aware Of
I do know the other one was due to hitting a submerged object, per the owner. We may have looped around the same incident several times. Anyone know specifically of any other? Regardless, it would be nice to follow this one through. RD PS: there was a 450 that had steering failure, but I don't know if it was the rudder or not; can't recall. Also don't know if it is the same rudder, altho I'd be inclined to think so.
I do know the other one was due to hitting a submerged object, per the owner. We may have looped around the same incident several times. Anyone know specifically of any other? Regardless, it would be nice to follow this one through. RD PS: there was a 450 that had steering failure, but I don't know if it was the rudder or not; can't recall. Also don't know if it is the same rudder, altho I'd be inclined to think so.
Rick, I did a search on rudders....
and I found the following: Mikes on his 466 Jim Alexander 460 rudder loose, blade came off Mike 456 (questionable post) Barry Sheffield 466 delamination of his rudder Mike from "Wanderlust" lost his rudder in the middle of the ocean, he thinks he hit something, but a rudder coming off can also cause a nice shocking bump to the boat The only reason this caught my attention was that I went to Catalina Island 2 weeks ago and Mike from Wanderlust gave a presentation on his voyage. Then this new post came up. abe
and I found the following: Mikes on his 466 Jim Alexander 460 rudder loose, blade came off Mike 456 (questionable post) Barry Sheffield 466 delamination of his rudder Mike from "Wanderlust" lost his rudder in the middle of the ocean, he thinks he hit something, but a rudder coming off can also cause a nice shocking bump to the boat The only reason this caught my attention was that I went to Catalina Island 2 weeks ago and Mike from Wanderlust gave a presentation on his voyage. Then this new post came up. abe
450-456-460-466 = Same rudder
Greetings, This type of rudder failure has happened before on a few Hunter 450s.(recall the sinking in the ARC Rally) The 450 share the same hull and rudder as the 460 series. Hunter touts its method of rudder construction : http://www.hunterowners.com/ref/qa/qa3.html But this is test is merely a maximum breaking strength test. What is appearing in my view in the large Hunters is a serious issue of fatigue strength in their fiberglass rudder posts. It would be great if Hunter would address this issue directly.
Greetings, This type of rudder failure has happened before on a few Hunter 450s.(recall the sinking in the ARC Rally) The 450 share the same hull and rudder as the 460 series. Hunter touts its method of rudder construction : http://www.hunterowners.com/ref/qa/qa3.html But this is test is merely a maximum breaking strength test. What is appearing in my view in the large Hunters is a serious issue of fatigue strength in their fiberglass rudder posts. It would be great if Hunter would address this issue directly.
hunter's view
The link below is from the Hunter Marine web site, and contains their view on the loss of the 450 due to rudder failure during the ARC rally.
The link below is from the Hunter Marine web site, and contains their view on the loss of the 450 due to rudder failure during the ARC rally.
One quick question
Why did you need a tow if you were sailing in 18kts? With that kind of wind you could easily have sailed home and avoided the tow. Using a balanced sail plan and sail trim you can easily drive and steer the boat. This is the kind of thing that every sailor should be able to do with his/her boat. It's not hard to do and certainly MUCH less expensive.
Why did you need a tow if you were sailing in 18kts? With that kind of wind you could easily have sailed home and avoided the tow. Using a balanced sail plan and sail trim you can easily drive and steer the boat. This is the kind of thing that every sailor should be able to do with his/her boat. It's not hard to do and certainly MUCH less expensive.
rudderless and balanced
Alan, I agree we ought to be able to do as you say- sail and steer by sail only. But if I do, it is with the rudder locked. It is much easier to sail against 2 foils in the water, the boat does not spin out so easily. With no rudder and fluky seas I can imagine problems with any boat with a fin keel- a nice pivot point. Of course those with full keels feel just this much more secure.
Alan, I agree we ought to be able to do as you say- sail and steer by sail only. But if I do, it is with the rudder locked. It is much easier to sail against 2 foils in the water, the boat does not spin out so easily. With no rudder and fluky seas I can imagine problems with any boat with a fin keel- a nice pivot point. Of course those with full keels feel just this much more secure.
- Status