Shear Pin or No? Later model H260s have a redesigned rudder and rudder housing that includes a shear pin. The problem with the shear pin is that it requires some flexibility and balance to pin the rudder in the down position. Some owners have installed the CL257 Auto-Release Racing Mini cleat which provides a neat solution to the problem of how to lock-down a rudder yet allow it to flip-up if it hits the bottom or a solid obstacle in the water. The cleat holds ropes from 4mm to 6mm securely yet will release them immediately when the cleat is overloaded.



The CL257 is fitted with an adjustable cam so that the release tension can be set to suit the boat and local conditions. The cam is adjusted until the rudder blade is held down reliably under maximum sailing conditions. The CL257 will then be set so that the least strain is put on the rudder if it hits something solid. Check the Camcleat website www.clamcleat.com. At least one person has reported losing the screw that holds the cam in place and there is an upgrade for the cleat to deal with this problem. I ordered the upgrade and keep it as a spare in case this problem occurs. Go to this link for more info on the ungrade: http://www.clamcleat.com/marketing/news_article.asp?theid=2 There is more information on the H260 rudder at http://kobernus.com/hunter260/index.html