Steer Stop

[Kraffert]

I have an 89 Hunter 35.5...

The steer stop rusted and broke off of the radial, so can easily steer right off of the chain causing big problems, as you can imagine.

I've tried everything everyone offered as a suggestion to get the old stop frame and bolts out. No dice.

It occurred to me, the opposite side of the radial has the same set up, however there's so little space to work in that I'd have to cut off the majority of the stop arm to fit it, either side of the radial. Edson said that's the only stop they make, so Hunter must have cut it to fit.

Anyway, it occured to me that I could mount the stop on top of the radial, then mount the blocks on the cover, rather than mounting under the radial and moving the blocks from their current locations.

Pictures attached to show, in case I wrote it poorly, which is likely.

Pic 1, big view of radial
Pic 2, showing the old steer stop, rusted away
Pic 3, showing where I was thinking of mounting.

I do not have a picture of the cover, but I did put a straight edge at the level and the stop clears it when I put the cover back on.

 

[colemj]

Flip the radial around and use the other half with the stop.

Or take it to a machine shop, who will make short work out of removing the broken bolts and retapping.

If the stop arm is too long and you don't want to cut it, just insert a spacer between it and the radial to the height it needs to be.

I don't see any geometry problem with what you are suggesting, but I don't know of the cover is strong enough to take the stop forces in a slam over.

Mark

 

[Kraffert]

The issue with removing it is she's in the water, some have said that the radial holds the rudder, others say it doesn't, others say they're unsure...

I own a metal fab company, so if I were to remove it, I could easily do the work, I'm just trying to do it on the boat...

Good point about the cover, it didn't occur to me...

 

[fred1diver]

Could you make a “ basket” held by rope or straps to secure the rudder in place?
In basket I refer to either a very wide piece of wedding, 2 pieces of wood assembled to make a V to hold and stabilize the rudder…

 

[Kraffert]

I'm going to have to do something.

Thanks for the input

 

[jssailem]

Check the rudder shaft. At the point that it goes through the upper bearing, there may be a pin. The pin is designed to keep the rudder in place.

Alternatively, you could have a diver (or since the water is warm, you might dive the boat) wrap the rudder with a rope and tie it (port and starboard) to the boat. Once the rudder is secure, you can remove the upper hardware and take it to your shop.