Well it seems that owning a Hunter is a on going education. I have read many post about rudders. All that I have read does not match what I have found. 1. My rudder had water in it. So I drilled a few small holes in it to drain and dry out. 2. All the water that came out was very rusty. So after reading the post on rudders I became very concerned about the safety of my rudder. 3. I opened up the rudder thinking I would find a mess of a frame system. My entier fram is stainless steel and in very good shape! I know stainless can rust. Now I am wondering, did I have to open my rudder. I have the equipment and smarts to rebuild it. Question is did I have to go through with all of this or what?
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Jim McCue
rudder
Perhaps you did have water getting into your rudder. It was probably stale and you had a little science project growing. I assume that you'll now bleach it out and kill off all the "mold" etc. Let's hear more from other postings Jim McCue. P.S.>Years ago myH28.5 rudder split in half on an overnight sail.
Perhaps you did have water getting into your rudder. It was probably stale and you had a little science project growing. I assume that you'll now bleach it out and kill off all the "mold" etc. Let's hear more from other postings Jim McCue. P.S.>Years ago myH28.5 rudder split in half on an overnight sail.
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Eric Lorgus
You may want to talk to Al Walker at Foss Foam
Scott: I went through my own rudder trials, tribulations and worries last season. I slightly bent my rudder while being towed off a sandbar, and the local marina advised replacing it. I, too, have a deep respect for how important the rudder is, and respectfully agreed with the marina. What I didn't know at the time, is that to get a new rudder, it has to be built by one of Hunter's subcontractors, Foss Foam in St. Petersburg (727-571-3626). After waiting well past the promised two weeks for delivery, I began trying to track down my new rudder, & found that Foss hadn't even begun working on it, because they outsource the stainless frame fabrication to still another subcontractor. In the end, I piled the bent rudder in the back of my trusty Saab, & took it to a friendly machine shop who recommended leaving the slight bend in the shaft alone, and instead just grinding a small amount off the top of the rudder so that it would no longer scrape the hull. So I have that bent, shaved rudder back on my boat today, and so far, so good. I don't know if you had to open it up, but if you need help in putting it back together, or want Foss Foam to simply use the frame & re-foam it, give them a call. They appear to do good work, but they're not in much of a hurry. Eric Lorgus s/v Explorer
Scott: I went through my own rudder trials, tribulations and worries last season. I slightly bent my rudder while being towed off a sandbar, and the local marina advised replacing it. I, too, have a deep respect for how important the rudder is, and respectfully agreed with the marina. What I didn't know at the time, is that to get a new rudder, it has to be built by one of Hunter's subcontractors, Foss Foam in St. Petersburg (727-571-3626). After waiting well past the promised two weeks for delivery, I began trying to track down my new rudder, & found that Foss hadn't even begun working on it, because they outsource the stainless frame fabrication to still another subcontractor. In the end, I piled the bent rudder in the back of my trusty Saab, & took it to a friendly machine shop who recommended leaving the slight bend in the shaft alone, and instead just grinding a small amount off the top of the rudder so that it would no longer scrape the hull. So I have that bent, shaved rudder back on my boat today, and so far, so good. I don't know if you had to open it up, but if you need help in putting it back together, or want Foss Foam to simply use the frame & re-foam it, give them a call. They appear to do good work, but they're not in much of a hurry. Eric Lorgus s/v Explorer
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Bob Rutland
Check the post
While you have the rudder apart, check the rudder post. Some post have a weld where the post tappers that have been known to fail. Good luck, Bob
While you have the rudder apart, check the rudder post. Some post have a weld where the post tappers that have been known to fail. Good luck, Bob
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Doug
Number one killer of rudders, per foss foam
Painting your rudder a dark color like blue bottom paint absorbs heat. This is mostly a problem when boat is on the hard. Always wrap a white sheet/blanket around your rudder while on the hard. This will keep heat build up inside your rudder (that's what causes the water/moisture to bubble out in the first place...it will find path of least resistance,ie small holes, weak areas, etc). If your rudder is boyant than the water intrusion is most likely minimal. Our 12 year old rudder will be broken down to frame rebuilt by foss foam this winter with a better designed skin (better foil) that will last virtually forever. How much? About $800.00. Cheaper than one decent tow. Doug
Painting your rudder a dark color like blue bottom paint absorbs heat. This is mostly a problem when boat is on the hard. Always wrap a white sheet/blanket around your rudder while on the hard. This will keep heat build up inside your rudder (that's what causes the water/moisture to bubble out in the first place...it will find path of least resistance,ie small holes, weak areas, etc). If your rudder is boyant than the water intrusion is most likely minimal. Our 12 year old rudder will be broken down to frame rebuilt by foss foam this winter with a better designed skin (better foil) that will last virtually forever. How much? About $800.00. Cheaper than one decent tow. Doug
Doug!
Did you price a new rudder? It would seem that the cost of the freight from WA to FL would eat up most of the cost savings? Also do you know why they do not build them all out of Stainless Steel?
Did you price a new rudder? It would seem that the cost of the freight from WA to FL would eat up most of the cost savings? Also do you know why they do not build them all out of Stainless Steel?
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Rod Leonard
Scott
Boats, all of them are a learning experience. But don't under estimate your rudder, it takes unbelievable loads. Put your hand in the water and turn it sideways than think about the size difference of the rudder and boat. I have lost two rudders and it's not a fun trip with it missing! Don't take a chance, that it should be okay.
Boats, all of them are a learning experience. But don't under estimate your rudder, it takes unbelievable loads. Put your hand in the water and turn it sideways than think about the size difference of the rudder and boat. I have lost two rudders and it's not a fun trip with it missing! Don't take a chance, that it should be okay.
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Doug
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James Marohn
Maintaining control?
All this talk about loosing rudders underway is making me wonder (if not nervous). If you are out on the water and you loose your rudder, how can you trim the sails to maintain some sense of control while you wait for a tow? IS there a way to rig up a temporary rudder? You can't heave to since that requires rudder. Your basically a NUC (not under control), right?
All this talk about loosing rudders underway is making me wonder (if not nervous). If you are out on the water and you loose your rudder, how can you trim the sails to maintain some sense of control while you wait for a tow? IS there a way to rig up a temporary rudder? You can't heave to since that requires rudder. Your basically a NUC (not under control), right?
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Doug
James,
I hear ya. I always feel uneasy about loosing a rudder too. If you do, there is no sail trip that will give you steering. We always take our zodiak and outboard with us. If we loose rudder, we can always tow it with our dingy (albeit very slowly and only if not too windy). There have been many articles in both Sail and Cruising world about jury rigged rudders. Most involve using a spinaker pole and plywood or something along those lines. We also though about making a quick bolt on mount for our swim ladder that would enable us to use our zodiak outboard to move and steer our boat in the event of a rudder failure. I still think that would be ideal. Doug
I hear ya. I always feel uneasy about loosing a rudder too. If you do, there is no sail trip that will give you steering. We always take our zodiak and outboard with us. If we loose rudder, we can always tow it with our dingy (albeit very slowly and only if not too windy). There have been many articles in both Sail and Cruising world about jury rigged rudders. Most involve using a spinaker pole and plywood or something along those lines. We also though about making a quick bolt on mount for our swim ladder that would enable us to use our zodiak outboard to move and steer our boat in the event of a rudder failure. I still think that would be ideal. Doug
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