Rudder Tube Hunter 36

Oct 24, 2011
27
Hunter 320 Fort lauderdale
Hello guys, I am restoring a 2008 Hunter 36. I have realized that the Hunter 36 has lots of 'construction/projects hiccups' and I am trying to fix and improve as I get in contact with them. One that is very common, as per the internet, is the 5200 failure on the rudder tube bonding with the under deck. I came in contact with it once I was chasing leaks, and I had one on the rear corner of the cabin port side, which I thought it was from the Autopilot Hydraulic arm, and I came in contact with a catastrophic break, a loosened top tube part. And a terrible fixing attempted by the former owner: Here you will find the pictures showing the first stage of the repair, and as it progresses, I will update it here. Any questions, feel free to contact me.
 

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Oct 24, 2011
27
Hunter 320 Fort lauderdale
Access cut and clean with a mechanical wire brush. starting to bond it back with Epoxy and thickener. I am using the West System. Underneath the deck, top part has a hollow area before reach the tube post compartment. There is no workable space in it, not even from the rear cabin. I realized after I popped something in my spine. I am almost 6.2.
 

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jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,877
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
I am thinking maybe that boat had a very bad grounding and the rudder was also damaged.
:plus:
Perhaps a flood victim boat. Raised up on the surge, shifted in place and dropped hard on the rudder. James knows about such happenings. Not thinking it was bad design by Hunter. The designer likely never considered the boat would be lifted and dropped on the rudder. It would not be a normal use.
 
Oct 24, 2011
27
Hunter 320 Fort lauderdale
:plus:
Perhaps a flood victim boat. Raised up on the surge, shifted in place and dropped hard on the rudder. James knows about such happenings. Not thinking it was bad design by Hunter. The designer likely never considered the boat would be lifted and dropped on the rudder. It would not be a normal use.
Hey, everything is possible. I have seen several people complaining about the same thing! So I decided to post and put me available to help other folks in get it structured and back sailing.
 
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Likes: jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,877
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
@skipperclaud, That makes perfect sense to me. It is a nice act you are sharing. Your attached image in message #8 looks a whole lot better then the before work images.

Did you use an HDPE bearing on the shaft?
Is your rudder shaft the engineered fiberglass or the newer stainless steel shaft?
Were there any unique challenges you faced?