Does anyone have this problem? I moor my nice, spankin' new, sweet litle 216 but am disappointed by the gradually declining free movement of the rudder. At first, thought it could be rusting bearings. Not true for 2 reasons: Bearings are not metal, and rudder cassette is above waterline. Tried lubricant that worked for approx a week but is now worse.
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Pick up the king size can of McLube
I spoke to the guys at Hunter Composites back in the beginning of the summer and they are aware of the issue. It has something to do with the housing getting wet and then drying out every time you go for a sail. They just said to keep it lubed often. I keep my 216 docked so the bottom part is always in the water too. Apparently if you trailer it and the whole thing is drying out every time it's worse.
I spoke to the guys at Hunter Composites back in the beginning of the summer and they are aware of the issue. It has something to do with the housing getting wet and then drying out every time you go for a sail. They just said to keep it lubed often. I keep my 216 docked so the bottom part is always in the water too. Apparently if you trailer it and the whole thing is drying out every time it's worse.
Hard working rudder
I had a problem with my boat after the first sail. The rudder suddenly got hard to operate. After talking to Hunter, I took the cartridge out of the boat and completely disassembled it. I found some metal shavings in the bearings and throughout the cylinder. I cleaned everything and reglued the mounting ring, which had been poorly glued, and reassembled everything. It haas worked well since. If they tell you to take the thing apart, be careful in tightening the screws that hold the assembly to the hull. The hull plastic is very soft and it is very easy to strip the holes.
I had a problem with my boat after the first sail. The rudder suddenly got hard to operate. After talking to Hunter, I took the cartridge out of the boat and completely disassembled it. I found some metal shavings in the bearings and throughout the cylinder. I cleaned everything and reglued the mounting ring, which had been poorly glued, and reassembled everything. It haas worked well since. If they tell you to take the thing apart, be careful in tightening the screws that hold the assembly to the hull. The hull plastic is very soft and it is very easy to strip the holes.
Same problem
Rock, had the same problem. Ours kept tightening up. Nothing worked, finally called Hunter Composites. Yes, they knew the problem. Nylon bearings absorbed water and swelled. Took the whole rudder pod to the factory (only 3 hour drive). They put in different kind of bearings. No more problem. Good luck. John
Rock, had the same problem. Ours kept tightening up. Nothing worked, finally called Hunter Composites. Yes, they knew the problem. Nylon bearings absorbed water and swelled. Took the whole rudder pod to the factory (only 3 hour drive). They put in different kind of bearings. No more problem. Good luck. John
R
Rock Smith
Progress
Called the facotry and was walked thru the fix. Youguys are right--they are aware and prblem lies with bearings. ALso corretc in cautioning managing the screws holding the pod assembly, very soft and easily stripped. In fact, facing astern, the 6, and 8 oclock position screws are stripped before I began the fix. They are loose, along with the 4 oclock screw--totally useless. I watch the rudder pod move during sail. My solution will be to drill new holes adjacent to stripped ones. Hunter sent me new bearings, I fixed myself. I would not advise lube as it just gathers and gunks up in the bearing trough, exacerbatbng problem. Remove and reassembly was strightforwaard although i KNOW I lucked out when none of the bearngs moved when assembling the pod again. Unless I did it myself, I would not beleive it possible that bearings would stay in place without duct tape as suggested by Hunter. All said, I think Hunter should accomodate 216 owners in some way for solving the problem that should have been fixed in design stage. I give them a fail score on the rudder design and would warn new prospective owners to cancel delivery unless the dealer replaces the bearings.
Called the facotry and was walked thru the fix. Youguys are right--they are aware and prblem lies with bearings. ALso corretc in cautioning managing the screws holding the pod assembly, very soft and easily stripped. In fact, facing astern, the 6, and 8 oclock position screws are stripped before I began the fix. They are loose, along with the 4 oclock screw--totally useless. I watch the rudder pod move during sail. My solution will be to drill new holes adjacent to stripped ones. Hunter sent me new bearings, I fixed myself. I would not advise lube as it just gathers and gunks up in the bearing trough, exacerbatbng problem. Remove and reassembly was strightforwaard although i KNOW I lucked out when none of the bearngs moved when assembling the pod again. Unless I did it myself, I would not beleive it possible that bearings would stay in place without duct tape as suggested by Hunter. All said, I think Hunter should accomodate 216 owners in some way for solving the problem that should have been fixed in design stage. I give them a fail score on the rudder design and would warn new prospective owners to cancel delivery unless the dealer replaces the bearings.
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