Rudder Twist

[Dave Roberts]

We bought a 1995 Hunter 26 last year and have noticed that when there is weather helm on the rudder it twists. If we look down at it while we are sailing the housing plates (black metal plates that sandwich the rudder) actually twist. We are thinking the metal is fatigued are are considering cutting new plates. Any tips? Has any one replace their plates or is the twist normal and acceptable.

 

[Dick1505]

illusion?

Try putting pressure on the rudder and see if it bends. The light may just be refracting as you look at your rudder in the water.

 

[alan]

No illusion.

Try to tighten up the bolts and make sure the ones through the spacers are especially snug. The aluminum does seem to flex too much but most of it is when the rudder pops up a little. I had actually considered getting stainless plates fabricated. Most of us keep the rudder down with shear pins (I use old "gutted" Papermate Pens). I have found that mine needs to be as far down and foward as possible at the lower edge. I am not a fan of the rudder assembly. alan

 

[Calvin266]

My two cents worth...

I believe that the rudder is the most breakage prone part of the 26/260 line of boats. I am on the third rudder on my 260. I would advise you to replace the stainless steel bolt that holds the rudder on the assembly. Ours actually broke [the bolt] and basically destroyed the rudder housing. I think the flexing of the rudder and the assembly caused the bolt to fatigue and eventually snap. It made a sound like a shotgun and made things quite exciting for a few minutes.