Hey Guys/Gals-- Rudder Install: Fairly new '79 M17 owner (couple of months now). Had a question about how rudder is attached to pintles/gudgeons. My boat came with 2 long (approx. 20" long) stainless rods for use in attaching rudder. Does these attach through top? What keeps rod from falling through and lifting out of gudgeons/pintles? The rods have no stops on top or bottom. There are two small holes on one end of each (cotter pin/ring?). Cotter ring/pin would prevent rod from falling down (if installed with holes at top) but what about lifting up? Did I get an extra rod or are both rods used (I don't know how that would work!)? Outboard Placement: Previous owner installed an outboard bracket on STBD side of transom, claiming rudder hits OB when turning hard to one side when OB is used in OEM location. Do your rudders hit on the M17 with OB attached on OEM cut out? My OB is a 2008 Nissan 6hp 4 stroke LS. Haven't tried OB yet, but would like to try it on OEM cut out rather than on OB bracket. Thoughts? OEM water tank Do those of you with older boats have OEM water tanks? If so, do you like them, do they serve you well, are they too much extra weight, etc..? I am considering taking tank out to reduce weight, but it would make sink/faucet useless. Thoughts? Having all kinds of fun fixing up this great little boat! Current projects include trailer mods (OB bracket for travel, mast crutch at bow (for travel), mast crutch/mast raiser at stern (extendable mast crutch to assist in raising mast), 8' extendable tongue, tie down tabs, and new taillight brackets that are installed higher to raise taillights and license plate (hated lic. plate scraping at every steep driveway/intersection). Next project is tiller pilot install. This fall I would like to remove all deck hardware and reglass all deck hardware holes as discussed here on this forum. Thanks for the suggestions, Carlos