Rudder Parts R Us. So when you get a used "new style" Sunfish rudder shipped to you, it might show up like this, to minimize size of packing box. The "new style" started showing up on boats around 1971.
There will be a rudder, tiller, tiller extension maybe, and L-R tiller straps, tiller extension bolt, rudder pin, tiller bolt, rudder springs, and the big part is the rudder cheek with cheek bolt.
There is a plastic bushing that goes between the rudder cheek and the rudder, best to tape it down to keep it centered over the bolt hole.
Spring pin installed with rudder springs. There are bushings under the tiller straps as well. Note the round hole on the forward edge of the blade, that is a dowel inserted cross grain to help prevent grainwise splts caused by stress risers around the fastener holes, and where the tiller strap hits the blade when it is raised. Go easy.
Oh no, some fastener heads are on this side and some are on the other. Better fix that.
We use vise grips to grip the rudder spring and pull it over the rudder pin.
Fastener heads fixed and tiller attached.
Sunfish and Drascombe hardware, mostly, in my Uncle's tacklebox.
Tiller extension has bushings as well.
Tools used for rudder assembly. Mjolnir worked great to tap in the rudder pin, Skipper was like a nervous Mom watching her baby used on something other that grommet tools. It worked great, no tool marks left on the pin and the nylon head was not marked either.
Ready for Test Flight. We had to adjust the gudgeon a bit, the upper arm was bent, probably from being dropped. We used a crescent wrench and gently bent it back down.
Restoration Log of SUGAR 2.
