Rudder Post Construction

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,817
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
Does anyone know the materials of construction for the rudder and rudder post for my Hunter 430 1997 or similar size boats in 1995-2002 range or a Hunter rudder design plan?

My guess is FRP coated Alloy 20 Stainless Steel , with same rudder post.
Jim...
 
Jan 12, 2011
930
Hunter 410 full time cruiser
my 2001 appears to be FRP with a SS outer. That is just wa=hat it appears to be looking at the top when I lib the rack balls
 

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,817
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
I purchased my boat and had some repairs done in Tampa. I have the pictures of before and after the new bottom paint (my son-in-law was there in my stead). The rudder was painted. You never paint Stainless Steel!:confused:

I assumed it was strong fiberglass with a embedded SS rudder post. I am not sure now.

I removed the cover plate for access to the emergency tiller connection. I can see the top of a metal stud.

I put a galvanic test probe on that stud. I read -.02 millivolts reference to the Silver reference probe in sea water near the rudder. I was expecting to see Stainless (passive) to Silver millivolts of -50 millivolt. BTW by doing this galvanic check, I can detect corrosion in advance and not have to pull and look.

If my guess is right, Hunter used Alloy 20 Stainless. That would be ≈zero mV. That is why I hoped to find a detailed plan or knowledge here at SBO.

They used that "no sea water crevice corrosion" grade of stainless steel, I hope.

OR...

The rudder post is NOT in electrical contact with the sea water (great for lightening protection to Helmsman), meaning fully encased in fiberglass.

I did notice that the metal emergency tiller was electrically isolated from the rudder post (good thinking/design).

Thanks for the feed back.
Jim...