Rudder/Tiller on Hunter 216

[jdanos]

My wife and I have just bought a Hunter 216 and love the boat except that the rudder/tiller seems to act strangly. In all the other boats we have sailed when one lets go of the tiller, the boat heads to windward, dumping the wind and righting itself automatically. This boat does not seem to do that. The rudder/tiller has a tendency to spin 180 degrees and the boat seems unstable. If one holds on to the tiller everything is ok but if the tiller is free to move it seems unstable.

This is the first boat that we have had where the pivot axis of the tiller is not on the forward edge and that could be the difference in our experience. With this design, the center of pressure on the rudder tends to rotate the rudder/tiller. Originially, I thought that the rudder was mounted backwards but the slot in the housing does not allow me to install the rudder any other way. Could the housing be installed backwards?

If this is the way the boat should sail, great; but if we have a problem, we want to know. We would appreciate any responses.

 

[Ray T]

If your 216 is like mine the rudder should tend to stay straight if you let go no matter what point of sail you are on. It does sound like the rudder could be on backwards. the bottom of the rudder should taper towards the stern of the boat. Although I haven't had this problem it looks to be a simple matter to turn the cassette around. Take off the tiller and rotate the cassette 180% and then remount the tiller. I suspect the mounting holes will line up. Let us know what you find out. Ray T

 

[jdanos]

Thanks, Ray. I'll try this weekend

 

[charchunr]

my rudder on our 216 seems to do the same thing. i am a new sailor and was unsure as to whether or not this is normal. under moderate condtions, if i let the tiller go for a second the boat quickly makes make a wide turn. is it still happening? does it tend to head up or bear away?

 

[jdanos]

It bears away or gets unstable. It tends to try to reverse itself but the tiller gets caught and uncontrollable without a manual tug to right it forward and center. We now use bungee cord ties on connecting the tiller to both sides of our traveler. This seems to be a moderately safe return mechanism, much like a spring centering device. Not very comfortable.

 

[jdanos]

In response to Ray. The rudder is mounted correctly in the cassette and the cassette is correctly installed. The tapered edge of the rudder is pointing astern in the cassette.

 

[jdanos]

Could my problem be caused by poorly tuned rigging. I noticed that my forestay is looser than I would like. I mounted it in the recommended hole in the bow plate but it seems loose. Likewise maybe my sidestays could be incorrectly tuned. These could affect the center of pressure on the sails.

How about the retractable keel? Could its position by incorrect and thus affecting the location of the center of resistance.

Thanks for any thoughts.