Rudder Post Problem

nauticalrich · #1 (**permalink**) 03-31-2003

Just had boat hauled. Noted the front top edge of rudder rubbed away a small area of glass on bottome of boat.

You can pick up the rudder or in other words it moves up and down.

If there is supposed to be a spacer, well it''s gone.

Does any one know the construction or have any experience with this type problem.

I''m sure many of you know my boat but for those that don''t, it'' a 1985 Oday 31 ft.

Wasn''t that way when we hauled it for survey.

nauticalrich · #2 (**permalink**) 04-01-2003

The yard answered my question. The bushing between the hull and rudder, probably made out of some kind of plastic, is missing.
They will drop rudder and make a new one.

My guess is that ice cracked it during it''s stay in the water over winter. When I moved the boat it probably fell off then.

Guess I''ll haul it out next year.

h37skipper · #3 (**permalink**) 04-01-2003

Are there any surfaces inside the boat that would support a bushing? If the rudder stock goes through any supports you could put one inside. These can be made as two halves to clamp around the stock so the boat and rudder do not have to be pulled. Clamp it around the stock against the bottom of the support and the rudder cannot "float" up against the hull.

Booher · #4 (**permalink**) 04-08-2003

Has anyone rebuilt the rudder on a 1985 31 foot Hunter. I am considering buying a hunter with a rudder problem. Or do you know where I can buy a replacement?