The Rudder on my hunter 356 has play

[jjoptics]

when I took the boat out of the water this fall I noticed at the hull where the rudder shaft comes through 30 % of the epoxy seal was missing and the bushing was deteriorating. I can grab the rudder and move it side to side about a 1/4". Does anyone have any info of where I can get a new bushing and how to install it? My marina cannot find any info.

Thanks in advance

John

 

[Terry Cox]

Hi John, I wrote an article of a discussion that I had with Don Martin a few years ago about Hunter rudders, here: http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/mods.php?task=article&mid=45&aid=6617&mn=42

It would appear that your amount of play would be outside of tolerance, according to then Hunter. If tolerance is the only issue, then one suggestion would be to insert a cut piece of teflon sheet around the rudder post where it exits the hull as a temporary way to reduce play. I've never had a need to do this, but it was suggested by a marine surveyor.

I do recall a Hunter owner replacing that bearing, writing a post about it awhile back. Perhaps an archive search is in order. Marlow/Hunter customer service would be another source.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

John;
First look up in the archives for Jim Seamans/Java as he wrote much on his 356 and was considered very knowledgable of that boat model. Not sure if he wrote anything on that. I would suggest calling the forum store to see if they offer anything. Hunter actually contacted this site and years ago set them up for retail. Very knowledbable and even one on staff use to work at Hunter for years on the line later in Warranty under the old Hunter and then in dealer/retail sales. Suggest this first and also see if was someone else that Terry might have been thinking about. Thank you Terry for the advice about the archives.

 

[seadaddler]

Jim Seamans web page which has a lot of info for upgrades he made to his 356.
Ayesail.net
I don't believe rudder post is one of the things he had on his site but he does
have davits and inverter and a few other very helpful info with photo's and it did help
me with some of the things I added.
Nick

 

[jjoptics]

Thanks for all the great advice. This gives me a good start to find the repair solution.

Thanks

John

 

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