Hi Stan, Thanks for the input. LEPPO is currently being sailed in fresh water only, but the poor rudder is taking a beating as the lake level falls and it encounters rocks that have risen to striking distance. That's why I am going to "armor plate" the bottom third of the rudder with some glass cloth and epoxy. Add a bit more protection. I can't pull up the rudder to get it out of the water, since there are some pontoon boats at the dock and they do a great job of whacking such an outstretched protuberance! Did it once, with the tiller holder holding the rudder. That resulted in the Forespar Tiller Holder fitting breaking out, and splitting the tiller as the "?" hit the rudder. Connie