I want to weld three aluminum straps together in the form of a U. The
gudgeons and pintles would have to match the existing configuration. This U
channel would have a groove running inside on the two arms the entire
length. The distance between the two arms would be the width of the lower
part of the current rudder plus the hinge plate. I will put a pin through
the rudder to roll up and down in the milled groove. There will be 3
positions: all the way up, all the way down, and half way. This way I can
leave the whole assembly on the boat all the time and still have full
extension when I need it, plus I just raise the lower portion as far as
needed to clear off the weeds.
Areas I'm concerned about are lateral ridgity and a mechanism that would
facilitate moving the rudder up and down with minimal effort and locking it
in any of the 3 positions.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Jim Tietjen
P19 #1015
Huntsville, Alabama