Drying out with transom hung rudder

[Tweeds]

How 'load bearing' are the transom hung rudders on bilge keelers like Hunter Horizon 26/Rangers, Moody 27/29, etc?

On my mooring if the wind is in an odd direction at springs my corribee sometimes comes down stern first on the edge of the channel. With a skeg it is not an issue, but thinking about something bigger I was wondering if it would be a problem. I'm imaging the rudder coming off and then all the weight sitting on the prop.

 

[matt1]

I had a Hunter Ranger 245 and never had an issue, although The David Thomas designed twin bulbed keels have a long footprint to aid drying out level. As you would expect of a Hunter, the rudder was immensely strong, as was the reinforcement of the transom

 

[William_H]

Yes I would worry if there was any load on the rudder when dried out. You could try moving weight forward like batteries water etc. Or you might opt to shorten the rudder a little. or if you don't like that idea consider modifying to a swing up rudder. (gives the option for deeper better aspect ratio and balance. ol'will

 

[LadyInBed]

When I had one it finished about 6-12" above the keel. if I was on a sloping bed I used a shot line off the beam and transom when getting near to grounding.

 

[popeye the sailorman]

How 'load bearing' are the transom hung rudders on bilge keelers like Hunter Horizon 26/Rangers, Moody 27/29, etc?

On my mooring if the wind is in an odd direction at springs my corribee sometimes comes down stern first on the edge of the channel. With a skeg it is not an issue, but thinking about something bigger I was wondering if it would be a problem. I'm imaging the rudder coming off and then all the weight sitting on the prop.

On our westerly Merlin the transom hung rudder is a substantial beast.
The mountings being very robust as is the layup on the transom.
Being on a drying mooring one has to be very mindful of the pounding it takes twice a day!
Over the years it takes its toll, having had to replace rudder bearings and rebuilding the bottom of the rudder. As matter of routine keeping an eye out for any issues and all will be well.

 

[TernVI]

I think some may be designed to sit with some weight on the rudder, it's much tidier than going nose down.
Some Hunder lift keel /centreboard models had rudders which could be raised, sliding on long pintle rods, but I think the rudder still ends up on the ground.

 

[JumbleDuck]

The transom-hung rudder on my Jouster was semi-balanced so that extended forward about 4" under the hull, and it could slide up and down. I think the idea may have been that if you dried out the rudder could move up 2", press up against the hull and give some support, but that may have been more a mitigation of harm than a recommended policy. Since she was fin keeled I only ever dried out alongside walls and posts, and I took line up from bow and stern cleat to make sure that she couldn't pitch up or down when balanced on the keel.

 

[Tweeds]

Not so worried about pounding as she touches down, as the mooring is well protected by mud banks as the tide gets low. Really just concerned about losing the rudder and putting all the weight on the prop shaft, but it sounds like that is a lower risk.

Cheers.

 

[oldhunter]

Not so worried about pounding as she touches down, as the mooring is well protected by mud banks as the tide gets low. Really just concerned about losing the rudder and putting all the weight on the prop shaft, but it sounds like that is a lower risk.

Cheers.

I also have a hunter 245 and kept it on a drying mooring for a number of years with no problems

 

[Gixer]

I had my Hunter 272 on a drying mooring for around 5 years. Sometimes it would sit stern down and on the rudder, never had any problems. The rudder would be jammed against the hull but no damage occurred.