I cut my rudder into two pieces and welded a flange into the rudder stock. This gives me the ability to remove the rudder to perform maintenance on the rudder tube. The rudder tube is simply a large pipe welded into the bottom of the stern. It passes up into the cockpit. The rudderstock fits in the tube with lubricated (greased) bushings held by set screws. The tiller handle fits on top. It is incredibly strong and simple. My fear is that the rudder tube will rust out and sink the boat from lack of maintenance. Before I welded in the flange, I would have to have a marina use the big lift to raise the boat up 10 feet or so and drop the rudder out. Only then could I inspect the rudder tube. Now I can have the rudder off in 15 minutes, right in my driveway...or even better, in any marina anywhere! I try to avoid the marina when possible. The cost of using the travel lift is very high.
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