Rudder Shaft bearing

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Tom Neal

I have owned my 37-c for 5 years and the rudder has always had lots of play in it. This haulout I removed the rudder and discovered that Hunter only drilled a hole through the hull plus adding a peak to attach a hose to attach the shaft seal. Well my rudder shaft had worn about 3/8 inch of the sides of the lower rudder "bearing" allowing the sloppy rudder. I ground out the area to allow insertion of a bronze sleeve, which was glassed into the hull, a cone was built-up for the shaft seal. Actually all worked well, the rudder is firm and solid.Autopilot seems to work better also. Please check your rudder shaft lower bearing surfaces, this could be a weak area in high wind & waves.. Tom
 
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Dave Simpson

Shaft Bearing

Hi Tom. I see by the Directory yours is a '79. You've got me wondering about my '81. Can I inspect the bearing with the boat in the water? What do I look for? I asked Jim Bohart (latterly of this BB) about this, and he indicated he had heard nothing relating to "less than adequate" rudder shaft support. Thanks for any info you can pass on.
 
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Ed Schenck

Knock on fiberglas..

My 1979 H37C seems solid around the rudder bearing. But all that I have read makes me nervous. Especially see: http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Cabana/7414/rudder.html for real detail.
 
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Tom Neal

re rudder shaft

My hull material at the site of the rudder shaft thru-hull had two air pockets which allowed for early wearing of the lower rudder support. I guess this was overlooked and actually worked well for 20 years, but I thought it necessary to repair while hauled out,, see Gene Gruender articles about upgrades to his Hunter 37C... Tom
 
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Ken DeLacy

Rudder slop

What year is your boat? I've got a 79 37' cutter and recently replaced the rudder-post assembly. Last weekend I noticed some play at the top of the post where the emergancy tiller attaches. Could you tell me where you got the sleeve? Thanks, Ken DeLacy
 
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Paul Akers

I replaced one

I replaced the rudder bearing last spring on my '88 Legend 37. Hunter could only supply the spec since the manufacturer is now out of business. I'm lucky that I have a friend who's shop could make one. He took the spec and got one made.
 
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