Hi Craig, Thanks for a good idea............ If I put a plate on each side of the cut tiller, with 2 bolts going through the forward end of the tiller (small ones - they don't have to exert a lot of force); and then one bolt in the stub at the rudder cheeks, swinging the tiller up would be easy. This would also allow you to put quite a side to side load on the tiller. The barrel bolt - maybe one top and bottom to halve the forces when raising or lowering the rudder - and we have the best of both worlds. Rudder UP / DOWN control with the tiller with barrel blots shut, but if you want to raise the tiller for more ease when standing; unlatch it and lift it up. That also allows you to raise the tiller out of the way when at anchor; cooking; or dining............. Let me marinate the idea in my head some more before I start cutting and fiddling................... Connie