Hurley 22 rudder problem.

[Superflid]

Bilge keel version of the Hurley 22 has been taking on a little water over the last few weeks. I thinl it's probably rain getting in somewhere, but the investigations have turned up another (or, maybe, the same) problem.
The rudder pintle appears to run up through a galvanised tube, only accessible by clearing out everything below the cockpit then wriggling underneath!
This looks like it's suffering from a little corrosion, nothing major. Anyone with experience of this problem?
Is it possible that the dampness and corrosion is being caused by condensation on the metal tube?

 

[machurley22]

Rudder tubes are a known problem with at least one of the Hurley 22 rudder arrangements. A search on the Yahoo group will turn up loads of information.

The water could be coming from anywhere of course. Have you figured out whether it is fresh or salt yet?

 

[Superflid]

It's difficult to tell if it's coming from below as it's a tidal river and is mainly fresh, it looks too clean to be river water to me - the Witham is very murky by the docks with a lot of silt in with the diesel and rubbish from the fishing boats!
I'll have a look at the Yahoo group...

Cheers.

 

[alienzdive]

Thinking to myself again,

If the leak is small it could act as a filter. The water coming in ending up cleaner than on the other side.???

Dont know if anyone else has any comments on this. SORRY GOING OFF TOPIC

 

[DavidGrieves]

Hi

I know of two Hurley 22s both had problems with water inside. One was the rudder tube, the other used to have an inboard outboard mounted in the lazarette, water got passed the bulkhead via a bad hull/bulkhead joint. The later, only when sailing on one particular tack, probably due the hull being pulled out of shape on that tack.

Dave

 

[Superflid]

On the Yahoo group there is a recent posting with the idea of surrounding the tube with a large (5-6 inch) pipe to above normal water level. This would both show if the water was coming in through the tube and prevent a possible sinking.

Worth a thought...

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'day Ken,

I would go to the point the water is gathering, sprinkle some talcum powder all around it, check after a tide and see if the powder has been washed off forward or aft of the lowest point, then work away from the low point till I located the leak, don't forget to put a little each side as you go.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[Superflid]

That's worth a try. Cheers.

 

[nickvass]

Hurley Marine used to use galvanised steel tube as rudder tubes. These rust from within. They should be cut out and a new tube fitted into place with new top and bottom bushes. Hurlwind and Ravensail used to use a flexible PVC hose as a rudder tube with a bronze fitting with hose tail top and bottom. Occasionally a gland with greeser and packing/stuffing box is use in place of a rudder tube but this is tricky to service as access is limited. Make sure that your cockpit drain seacocks down foul your exit after crawling under thecockpit sole.
Nick Vass
Hurley Owners Yahoo Group and Hurley Owners Association
www.hurleyownersassociation.co.uk
nick@hurleyownersassociation.co.uk
The Hurley 22 is now back in production!

 

[Superflid]

Thanks Nick.
I joined the Yahoo group and found plenty of good info which I've passed on. The tube is galvanised but the corrosion has started! I'm still not sure that the water ingress is from the tube but the owner only gets to the boat once a week so it's taking a while to track it down.
I've seen mention of a page (either on the Yahoo group or Hurley owners website) with pics of tube repairs. Do you have a link, as I tried, but failed to find it?