Space between Rudder & Hull on H-33 ??

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Does anyone have any info on the amount of space between the top edge of the rudder blade and the bottom edge of the hull/transom/stem on a Hunter 33 Cherubini (1981) ??
Many thanks
Bob
S/V Seanorita
Yucatan, Mexico

 

[Joe23455]

The gap on my 1980 - 36 is about 1/4", have experianced 0 problems with this
clearence
joe
s/v trinity

 

[SamLust]

The Gap

The gap on my 1983 Hunter 33 was about 1/4", possibly even less. The theory is that you want the smallest gap possible between the rudder and the princess fairing to reduce turbulence to the minimum. I dropped my rudder to about 1/2" to rrovide a little bit of room so I won't need a haul-out when I bend it again. Not a question of "IF" but "WHEN. I can't say that I've noticed any difference at all.

 

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Re: The Gap

Hi
Thanks for the replies. I am asking because I am thinking of making a "washer" out of the white starboard looking Hi-Pressure plastic I got for use inside (replacing the rudder pressure/thrust bearing surface). I got 3/4" so I guess I will just drop the rudder down enough for to to fit loosely. Didn't know if that was possible or hazardous, but now that I know it's been done, confidence replaces ignorance
...still bliss though!
thanks
Bob
S/V Seanorita

 

[Warren Milberg]

I'm not sure how similar the rudder and rudder shaft are of my 1986 H28.5 and your 1981 H33, but last year when my boat was hauled, I noticed that there was no lower rudder bearing at all between the top of the rudder where the shaft enters the boat. I had been getting some binding in the steering and decided to drop the rudder. I just could not believe Hunter would have designed the boat with upper rudder bearings, and then just let the rudder shaft hang freely in the rudder tube. Perhaps they did, but I didn't care for it. So, in addition to having two new Derlin upper bearings fabricated (they were worn out of shape), I had lower bearing designed and placed on the rudder shaft between the top of the rudder and going into the shaft to support the lower end of the shaft tube. FYI, I also just happened to find a small crack right around the edge of the lower end of the rudder tube that could have eventually resulted in a fatal leak. This crack was caused by the rudder shaft binding on the shaft tube without a bearing....

 

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Thanks much! That's exactly what I'm intending. Just wasn't sure how thick I could go. Any ideas? Thinking 3/4"
If you have any pictures of the bearings you made, please post or email. Thanks for the reply! :dance:
Bob
S/V Seanorita
Yucatan, Mexico

 

[Warren Milberg]

Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of the bearings I had made from Derlin. But the lower bearing is a simple "donut" about a half inch high and one inch wide, with about a one-inch lip around the center. It was milled to create the lip. I simply slipped it over the rudder shaft just prior to inserting the rudder shaft into the rudder tube. The lip supports the lower end of the rudder shaft, keeps it centered in the tube, and provides a bearing surface for it. Being Derlin, it does not require any lubrication. I think any plastics shop could make these bearings. The two upper bearings and the one lower bearing cost less than $300 to fabricate. If you plan to do this job, measure your rudder shaft, and rudder tube, VERY carefully first.