rudder removal on 1983 Hunter 37

[Rabalais_87]

I have recently bought a 1983 Hunter 37, I am in the process of removing the rudder as it has a bend in the stainless pole right at the top of the exterior portion of the rudder. I have removed all attachments to the rudder and it has slid down to the top of the brass bearing but will go no further. Any ideas of what might be the problem?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Ed Schenck]

Mine came out without a hitch. Are you saying that the very end of the post is hung up in the bearing? That would be the bearing on top of that square plastic block?

 

[Rabalais_87]

no, no, the brass, thru the hull, fitting at the very bottom of the boat.

 

[Ed Schenck]

So how much of the shaft is still in the boat? I guess you are talking about the rudder tube(see picture). I guess I didn't know that was brass. Cannot imagine why the shaft would hang up there unless there is a bend in the post. But that would be unusual at the top.

 

[Rabalais_87]

yes, the top of the rudder tube, inside of the boat. the rudder is currently hanging (i dug a hole) and the top is flush with the packing valve.
Also, how far down into the rudder does the metal skeleton extend. I am going to cut some off of the bottom so it is easier to work with, with the angle of the bend it is hard to manipulate from the bottom. I am beat from wrangling with this thing today!
Someone wrote on here, Patience, and mine was tested today, lol.

 

[Ed Schenck]

They lifted my boat with the travel lift and the rudder fell out. I did not touch the stuffing box. Why not, as next step, disconnect the stuffing box from the bottom and see if it will come off over the top? And why cut off the bottom? The rudder is built with a frame and you would be removing part of it. I think the end of the shaft and the attached plate are at least 12" from the bottom.

 

[Rabalais_87]

my packing valve looks alittle different than yours, I also had the angle Iron across the transom, removed that to get to everything... the rudder on the boat is shot, shaft way bent, skin cracked and broken in places, so its not salvageable. new one on order and will be here this week.

 

[Rabalais_87]

well, I got it out today, on to the next item on my list....

 

[Ed Schenck]

My pictures, both inside and outside, were taken when I was noticing the spider cracks. I assume those are from a grounding. Maybe the one that bent my rudder stock. They have been covered with epoxy and cloth.