I recently hauled my 2002 Hunter 340 for the bottom cleaning, painting, etc. I noticed that the rudder post has about 1/8 inch play in it when I measure from the tip of the rudder. Both the yard manager and a marine surveyor that I had look at the boat feel that this is excessive play. Hunter responded to a query by saying that 1/8 of an inch is more than acceptable. I have no basis on which to judge. Does 1/8 inch rudder play seem OK to other owners of comparable Hunters? Thanks.
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1/8" of an inch at the tip - bottom - of the rudder? This is .125" of an inch - if that rudder is about 4'- 0 long this would translate into about .010 - .020" of an inch of play at the lower rudder bearing/bushing. This is nothing! If the 1/8" of play is at the top of the rudder - near the bottom of the hull - then it should be looked at. Considering that your boat is a 2002 model I suspect you haven't put 50,000 sea miles on it the rudder play you are describing is nothing at all to worry about! Check to see if the surveyor and the boat yard owner don't have the same last name or are cousins or something! Good Sailing!
Same
Alan, I also have a 2002 340 model that I bought 9 months ago. When it was hauled for the survey the surveyor noticed some rudder play in mine as well. While I can't say the specific amount of play, he felt it was solid and expected no problems from it. Rob
Alan, I also have a 2002 340 model that I bought 9 months ago. When it was hauled for the survey the surveyor noticed some rudder play in mine as well. While I can't say the specific amount of play, he felt it was solid and expected no problems from it. Rob
Mine Had Some Too
We had some rudder play on our 450. Last year while hauled out, we dropped the rudder and did not find any wear or real play within the bearing itself and that is after six years of cruising thousands of miles. From what I have seen on my boat and others, rudder play as you described is acceptable, just monitor it each time you haul out.
We had some rudder play on our 450. Last year while hauled out, we dropped the rudder and did not find any wear or real play within the bearing itself and that is after six years of cruising thousands of miles. From what I have seen on my boat and others, rudder play as you described is acceptable, just monitor it each time you haul out.
Rudder fit
I believe your 340 has a composite shaft that has a much larger diameter than the older style solid metal shafts. Because of this, temperature changes seem to have a greater effect on the fit between the ss rudder post sleeve and the delrin bearing material. When it warms up and the boat is in the water I suspect the fit will be tighter. In any event 1/8th inch doesn't sound like much at all if you're measuring at the tip of the rudder.
I believe your 340 has a composite shaft that has a much larger diameter than the older style solid metal shafts. Because of this, temperature changes seem to have a greater effect on the fit between the ss rudder post sleeve and the delrin bearing material. When it warms up and the boat is in the water I suspect the fit will be tighter. In any event 1/8th inch doesn't sound like much at all if you're measuring at the tip of the rudder.
Thanks for the Info
Thanks very much to all of you who responded to my question about rudder play. It is helpful to have this information as I had no basis for assessing whether this was acceptable as Hunter insists. Thanks again.
Thanks very much to all of you who responded to my question about rudder play. It is helpful to have this information as I had no basis for assessing whether this was acceptable as Hunter insists. Thanks again.
Alan, same thing on our H28 as on your boat...
Our surveyor said it was okay but check it at each haul out for any change in wear. None in the three years we had it. If you want a tighter fit pick up a piece of teflon shim material from your local marine store and cut a thin tapered shim to fit into and around the inside of your lower rudder tube. You have to drop your rudder a few inches to slide the shim in. Terry
Our surveyor said it was okay but check it at each haul out for any change in wear. None in the three years we had it. If you want a tighter fit pick up a piece of teflon shim material from your local marine store and cut a thin tapered shim to fit into and around the inside of your lower rudder tube. You have to drop your rudder a few inches to slide the shim in. Terry
West System
My 1999 H310 developed an annoying amount of rudder play that was especially noticeable with a following sea. At my last haulout for a bottom job I followed the West System insructions for repair. Worked like a charm and materials only about $70.
My 1999 H310 developed an annoying amount of rudder play that was especially noticeable with a following sea. At my last haulout for a bottom job I followed the West System insructions for repair. Worked like a charm and materials only about $70.
Rudder Play - Replaced Teflon Bearing
My Hunter 340 99' had truthfully excessive Rudder Play. More than 1/8" at the lower bearing. That resulted in more than two inches at the tip. I did replace the lower bearing. It is just glassed in and relatively easy to remove. During the process however we detected cracks in the gelcoat surrounding the submerged bearing which caused water pockets. We removed all gelcoat, expoxied the entire area and (and barrier coated the whole hull) reinserted the new teflon bearing with absolutely zero play. I think the new bearings are manufactured much tighter. She is a joy to sail now, no helm anymore and my autopilot actually works now. If you have significant play, it is a not so easy procedure, but highly recommended.
My Hunter 340 99' had truthfully excessive Rudder Play. More than 1/8" at the lower bearing. That resulted in more than two inches at the tip. I did replace the lower bearing. It is just glassed in and relatively easy to remove. During the process however we detected cracks in the gelcoat surrounding the submerged bearing which caused water pockets. We removed all gelcoat, expoxied the entire area and (and barrier coated the whole hull) reinserted the new teflon bearing with absolutely zero play. I think the new bearings are manufactured much tighter. She is a joy to sail now, no helm anymore and my autopilot actually works now. If you have significant play, it is a not so easy procedure, but highly recommended.
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