We have a Hunter 31. When the boat was pulled out for winter storage last year, we noticed that the rudder hangs about 8 inches below the keel. We are wondering about cutting the length off. Does anyone know what is in the center of the rudder, how far down does it go and has anyone ever tried to cut off the rudder.
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Why
The less rudder area there is the greater the weather helm, you obviously have the shoal keel, this is not uncommon for the rudder to be the deepest draft. The Stainless steel rudder post is in the center of the rudder but probably does not run that far. Why do you want to cut it?
The less rudder area there is the greater the weather helm, you obviously have the shoal keel, this is not uncommon for the rudder to be the deepest draft. The Stainless steel rudder post is in the center of the rudder but probably does not run that far. Why do you want to cut it?
Foam is in the center....
The rudder is made of dense polyurethane foam, with a fiberglass shell and gel-coat on the surface. See the link below. Of course, your boat could have some other type of rudder design, but this is the most common - the Foss Foam rudder. Unless you have some specific problem, it's probably better to leave the rudder alone. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
The rudder is made of dense polyurethane foam, with a fiberglass shell and gel-coat on the surface. See the link below. Of course, your boat could have some other type of rudder design, but this is the most common - the Foss Foam rudder. Unless you have some specific problem, it's probably better to leave the rudder alone. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
I cut down the rudder on my 28.5 Hunter
For the same reason... I removed eight inches, glassed and sealed the bottom. This was over 15 years ago. It made little (if any) change in the handling of the boat. I preferred to knock the keel in shoal water, rather than damage the the softer rudder. Go for it.
For the same reason... I removed eight inches, glassed and sealed the bottom. This was over 15 years ago. It made little (if any) change in the handling of the boat. I preferred to knock the keel in shoal water, rather than damage the the softer rudder. Go for it.
She has survived for 20 years with that rudder
She has survived for 20 years with that rudder. If you are in heavy weather with a shortened rudder you will have major weather helm. I would leave well enough alone. I assume that you have a shoal keel on your boat. Our H'31 was the deeper keel version (5'3" or so).
She has survived for 20 years with that rudder. If you are in heavy weather with a shortened rudder you will have major weather helm. I would leave well enough alone. I assume that you have a shoal keel on your boat. Our H'31 was the deeper keel version (5'3" or so).
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