After taking my 260 out of the water this season, I noticed water still dripping out of the rudder 3 weeks later. I removed the rudder and could hear water sloshing inside when tipping it back and forth. My boat repair guy said it easier to replace a rudder with that problem than to repair. I checked the Fossfoam website and noted the construction (good picture). Hunter wanted $600 for a new rudder. Ouch. My boat repair guy said to check IdaSailor Marine (IdaSailor.com). They were a short drive from the house, so I checked them out. They make aftermarket rudders of HDPE material and shape it into a blade. I gave them my 260 rudder and they built one for me. The picture of it is on their website under "Hunter". Since they have the measurements, they offer one-offs now on their website. They were very nice folks and the workmanship was outstanding. I look forward to seeing how the boat handles next spring.
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That is good news...now for a question...
Dealer replaced my rudder under warranty. The new rudder that they got from Hunter required and additional rubber gasket AND two "plastic" spaceers in order to tighten securely into the brackets. So my question is do you just have a single reb rubber gasket on either side of your rudder or do you have anything additiona? Dealer states that Hunter did not alter the rudder design - but my previous rudder did not require all of this extra padding between it and the bracket... Thanks, Darren
Dealer replaced my rudder under warranty. The new rudder that they got from Hunter required and additional rubber gasket AND two "plastic" spaceers in order to tighten securely into the brackets. So my question is do you just have a single reb rubber gasket on either side of your rudder or do you have anything additiona? Dealer states that Hunter did not alter the rudder design - but my previous rudder did not require all of this extra padding between it and the bracket... Thanks, Darren
260 Rudder
I've had my 260 for three years now and I just got my third rudder. I'm keep cracking across the top. Last years opened up a good 1/2 inch. This year much less, but it was the start of a bad thing. My rudders don't hit anything but water, so I don't understand. Bottom line is that something is wrong with their rudders and they haven't fixed the problem in the least 2 years.
I've had my 260 for three years now and I just got my third rudder. I'm keep cracking across the top. Last years opened up a good 1/2 inch. This year much less, but it was the start of a bad thing. My rudders don't hit anything but water, so I don't understand. Bottom line is that something is wrong with their rudders and they haven't fixed the problem in the least 2 years.
Frank...
When you say along the top, are you saing along the seem of the halves of the rudder? That is where mine split. The 260 that they hda in the watre for their "Discover Sailing" day split after that single days use!
When you say along the top, are you saing along the seem of the halves of the rudder? That is where mine split. The 260 that they hda in the watre for their "Discover Sailing" day split after that single days use!
Rudder #2
The rudder on my 2000 H260 started to split in the first season. (The split is on the top when rudder is in the down position) Hunter did send me a replacement under warranty. Thank you Hunter! My previous boat, a 1998 240 had the same problem! I always pull the rudder up when not in use and for winter storage I remove it and keep it in the heated garage. So far the new rudder send to me this April is holding together. Thanks for the info on IdaSailor Marine. I will keep the address for future reference! Maybe they could even come up with a rudder that has some sort of a reinforced edge along the bottom. (The area that gets damaged when you hit bottom)
The rudder on my 2000 H260 started to split in the first season. (The split is on the top when rudder is in the down position) Hunter did send me a replacement under warranty. Thank you Hunter! My previous boat, a 1998 240 had the same problem! I always pull the rudder up when not in use and for winter storage I remove it and keep it in the heated garage. So far the new rudder send to me this April is holding together. Thanks for the info on IdaSailor Marine. I will keep the address for future reference! Maybe they could even come up with a rudder that has some sort of a reinforced edge along the bottom. (The area that gets damaged when you hit bottom)
plastic spacers
My boat is a '98. There was a plastic plate on each side of the rudder and yes, mine split across the top.
My boat is a '98. There was a plastic plate on each side of the rudder and yes, mine split across the top.
Apparently a bad design
I love my 260 but I do not love the 260 rudder. I just replaced mine after I lost it when the 1/2" stainless steel bolt holding it in place snapped. ( how i actually lost the rudder is another story) Even with the 2 plastic spacers in place I find it impossible to tighten the holding bolt enough to keep the rudder from wobling when the wind gets above 10 knots. The design on the 240 appears to me to be much better.
I love my 260 but I do not love the 260 rudder. I just replaced mine after I lost it when the 1/2" stainless steel bolt holding it in place snapped. ( how i actually lost the rudder is another story) Even with the 2 plastic spacers in place I find it impossible to tighten the holding bolt enough to keep the rudder from wobling when the wind gets above 10 knots. The design on the 240 appears to me to be much better.
Reinforced rudder edge
Reinhold, if you are serious about reinforcing the leading/bottom edge of the rudder try some kevlar fabric bonded to the rudder with glass resin. Apply the fabric just as you would apply a piece of fibre glass matt cloth.
Reinhold, if you are serious about reinforcing the leading/bottom edge of the rudder try some kevlar fabric bonded to the rudder with glass resin. Apply the fabric just as you would apply a piece of fibre glass matt cloth.
Craig, If Your Out There
I saw the rudder for the H260 at Idamarine.com and they look great. I have one question. The material these new rudders are made of - do the rudders float (and have to be hauled down) or do they sink (and have to be hauled up)? Thanks, Bob Fliegel
I saw the rudder for the H260 at Idamarine.com and they look great. I have one question. The material these new rudders are made of - do the rudders float (and have to be hauled down) or do they sink (and have to be hauled up)? Thanks, Bob Fliegel
always check with Hunter first
Aparently they have had some bad batches of rudders and they will replace them under warranty. If you have the right kind of rudder problem it could be replaced for free. That said, I've seen four different boats with Idasailor after market rudders on them and they look like they are top notch quality. I've sailed two different boats with Idasailor rudders and they both sailed much better with them. So if I was going to have to pay $600 for a rudder I'd have to give Idasailor a call too.
Aparently they have had some bad batches of rudders and they will replace them under warranty. If you have the right kind of rudder problem it could be replaced for free. That said, I've seen four different boats with Idasailor after market rudders on them and they look like they are top notch quality. I've sailed two different boats with Idasailor rudders and they both sailed much better with them. So if I was going to have to pay $600 for a rudder I'd have to give Idasailor a call too.
Point at which free is of no value 
There is a point at which free (or replaced under warranty) is of no value. That point for me is: when me or my family has been placed in peril (we have) or when the time that it took to get it repaired under warranty exceeds one boat payment and / or dock fee. So, NEXT time I will be replacing with aftermarket!
There is a point at which free (or replaced under warranty) is of no value. That point for me is: when me or my family has been placed in peril (we have) or when the time that it took to get it repaired under warranty exceeds one boat payment and / or dock fee. So, NEXT time I will be replacing with aftermarket!
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