Rudder
Tony’s Tips on Hydraulic Steering Systems
Dropping the Rudder
The “shoe”on the 1972 Hughes (NorthStar) 38 is the piece of the skeg that supports the rudder’s pivot point at the bottom, leading edge, under the rudder There are 2 large bronze slotted screws holding the shoe in place on either side. Yours may be glassed over, so it may take some poking around to find them. They aren’t countersunk very far beneath the faired surface, so you should be able to detect them with a sharp short (1/4″) probe.
You have to gain access to the top of the rudder post inside the void under the cockpit where the emergency tiller is located (obviously). This can be done by climbing through the doors behind the ladder below the companionway. A pin must be knocked out of the rudder stock to allow the stock and rudder (intact) to drop from the boat. You need about 24” (2ft) to fully drop the rudder.
Inside the rudder blade itself, are stainless steel rods that protrude aft on a 90-degree angle from the rudder post. All this is enclosed in solid glass on the ’72 – which makes for a very strong, albeit heavy, rudder.
Survey Reports
i now have read two survey reports of Hughes 38’s – a Mk 1 and a Mk 3 and both report that the rudder blade is very wet. i wonder what effect that will have on the stainless steel that makes up the internal strength of the rudder? i also wonder how the water is getting in, thru the joint of the fibreglass and the stainless steel rudder post or thru the fibreglass itself?
Tiller
Emergency Tiller – Every boat should have a useable emergency tiller. On the MK3 the tiller head is forward of the pedestal making for an easy emergency tiller. Here are some pics of a Cal 40 tiller and tiller head:
For the Hughes 38 MK3 i get distances of 52″, 46″, 40″ and 36″ from the center of the tiller head to the aft end of the cabin roof (by scaling). This is obviously not very accurate. Does anybody have a better measurement for max tiller length for easiest steering?
Homemade Hunter Emergency Tiller
Tiller on MK 1
Trim Tab
The Hughes 38 Mk1 (since it was built for racing under the CCA rule) had the option of having a trim tab at the aft edge of the keel.
Trim Tab Discussion. Question: I
Answer:
Hinckley 38 with Trim Tab
Cinkel Pedestal Steering
The Cinkel pedestal steering, installed on most H38’s is no longer made. Here is the company that bought the rest of the stock:
South Shore Yachts, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario L0S 1J0. Tel: 905 468 4340 – Fax: 905 468 1538
http://www.southshoreyachts.com Contact Robert MacLachlan or Helene Taylor
Discussions:
Cinkel Steering Help Discussion
Wheel on Mark 1 and 2
Wheel on Mark 3
At least one Mark 1 has an Edson wheel. I have seen it personally, it sure appears to be original.
SV Globi – Edson Pedestal Steering
Windvane
The Cape Horn is integrated with the wheel steering thru the transom. It is also integrated with the autopilot. With a Cape Horn, you don’t have to choose between an autopilot and a wind vane – you can have the best of both. Choose the “Jean du Sud” model for the Hughes 38
Sail Magazine on Cape Horn windvane
Notice the clean installation of the Cape Horn windvane thru the transom. If you value the aesthetics of your stern you will want a Cape Horn windvane.
SV Water Lily (Robert Hess’ old boat) has a Cape Horn windvane model “Jean du Sud”
SV Oceana with Monitor Windvane