the funny little part under the pedestal

[john edwards]

Ok everyone here is the deal. I have done extensive refitting and outfitting to my 79 33'. I was under the sern bilge area cleaning and repalcing cables and wires. I noticed that there is a grease fitting on the base of the rudder strut and of course rusteed and such because of the great care done by the previous owner. so what is for bearings or shaft grease a tpe of grease for it. white lithium? regular auto grease?As always all replies welcomed.

 

[Sam Lust]

What The ????

I've been over every inch of my 1983 33 and haven't seen anything resembling what you're talking about. How about some pictures? Maybe we can figure it out from there.samlust@monmouth.com

 

[Terry arnold]

H 33 rudder tube grease fitting?

I've been (and am going) all overy my 79 H33 too and there is no grease fitting on my rudder tube. The H 33 has a soid rudder shaft and is shipped in a stainless steel tube. I am going to guess that the previous owner just decided to install a grease fitting through the exposed portion of the rudder tube. Seems like a pretty good idea to me.

 

[Sam Lust]

Should we ........

....now get into a deep discussion about the merits of various greases for this appliocation? If nothing else, the grease might keep Hunter's rudder packing nut from corroding away!Actually, it's probably not such a bad idea. I had thought if it last time the rudder was out, but got lazy. If the rudder comes out again I may add a grease fitting.....On a VERY LONG flexible fitting!

 

[Capt John Edwards]

I got the answer

it is indeed a grease fitting port used to lube the rudder shaft. I ahve no idea if it was factory installed or what but nonetheless it is there. I was told by the marina only to use white lithium grease. i'll try it and see what happens.

 

[Tim Schaaf]

a modification!

The stainless tube on my boat was mounted in a fiberglass encased block of wood..and the secondary bond between this block and the hull fissured, leading to a small, but steady leak. I ripped the whole thing out and mounted the tube in a longer fiberglass tube and glassed that tube to the hull, giving a much better bond. This placed the stuffing box above the waterline, lessening problems there. With a few extra gussets and other supports, the whole thing became a much cleaner and stronger installation than before. A small benefit was that the little sump aft of the original block can now drain into the bilge, should it ever accumulate water. I don't grease the stainless tube and don't think it is either necessary or that it will hurt.

 

[Tim Schaaf]

a modification II

By the way, Hunter claimed that they never built the 33 with the block I mentioned in the previous comment, but I have run into it in at least one other 33. Anyone else have this installation? I bought my boat when it was a year and a half old and have every reason to believe that it WAS built this way, but I have always wondered.