Rudder Problems

[John Revenboer]

I purchased my H260 new ( 2001 model ) and it is impossible to pull the rudder into a far enough forward positon for sailing unless a certain bolt and bushing is removed. Also the plexiglass sliding companionway hatch grinds away on the cabin roof intrerior each time you slide the hatch open. Any sugestions on the remedy to these problems?jr51855@alltel.net

 

[Dale Wile]

Wax you hatch

Don't know about the rudder problem, but a good wax job on the rails on which the plexiglass hatch cover slides will do wonders. I wax mine at least twice a year.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Sugestions

John;Regarding the slider hatch, lift up the entire hatch cover and you will notice two black rubber feet that are screwed on, one on each side that sits in the channel or drip drain. Add equal amount of washers to the pads which will raise up the seahood. It will vary as to how many that will need to be added but this will raise the sea hood up taking the pressure off the slider hatch thus allowing it to slide alot easier. to get the scratdches out of the plexiglass, take a fine compound and buffer and buff them out. Bear in mind that buffing at low speed is desirable because at high speed, the friction will actually melt the plexiglass.As for the rudder, there is an easy fix.There is a turning block in the rudder post that will idealy sit on top of the first bolt down from the head of the stem which the line runs out to the rudder head to hold it down. The key is to have the rudder in the up position and then put a large knot as close to the hole in the rudder head. Once this is done, you will find that you can pull the rudder down all the way with the line.crazy Dave concdon

 

[Tom M.]

Same rudder problem...

John, I had the same problem with my rudder. I don't really understand what Dave C. is describing as a solution. Dave, could you describe that again, maybe a picture/drawing?Anyway, on my boat I had to remove the single pulley in the rudder post cause it was hitting one of the bolts (top one..?) when I was trying to lower the rudder hence not allowing me to pull the rudder down all the way; that helped. Secondly, the rudder would'nt go all the way down/forward due to that same bolt/bushing. I removed it and the rudder assumed the correct position. What's up with that? Seems the rudder should work correctly with those parts installed??Tom M.

 

[Tom]

Take out the block

Hi John,I had a similar problem. The block was not installed properly. The lower end of the block was tied to a rope that went down to the top of the rudder. The upper rope was tied around the sheave so that the block was simply connecting the two lines and not providing any leverage. .In my case, the block was snagging on the through bolts so that I couldn't pull the rudder down. I solved it as follows:1. Untie the down haul rope at the top end, forward part of the rudder.2. Take off the hardware (endcap with cleat) at the top of the rudder post and pull out the block altogether -- you don't really need it. Replace the hardware.3. use a 1/2" diameter (or so), line about 6 feet, as I recall -- I like polyester braid because it doesn't strech so much -- and feed it down the rudder post so that it comes out the bottom. I can 't recall the specifics, but you can run the line out the bottom of the rudder post a couple of ways: one will chafe the line on the edge of the tube, eventually cutting it, the other way won't. 4. Tie the top end of the new down haul line through the middle of the cleat with a stop knot. Tie the bottom off at the rudder where you removed the old down haul line. Here I used a bowline instead of a stop knot. Keep the bowline loop pretty small so that it doesn't reach the bottom of the rudder post when tight.5. The rudder floats, so to lower it, I stand at the swim ladder and push it down with my right foot to get it started down while I pull up on the down haul. Although you don't have to push it with your foot, this makes it easier to get the rudder started down. With a little practice, you can do it without even getting your foot wet.Good luck...Tom