Tiller, Stemhead Fitting and Rudder

The good news is that with some minor alterations to the stemhead, the fitting is going to work.

We still can't get the tiller fitting off the rudder shaft. Heat, WD40, and a hammer. It just won't come off. I think all we can do is persist. It will give in the end!

I think the rudder itself is going to need to be replaced. There are some fairly significant creeping cracks on it. Not too difficult a job though.

A friend is currently cutting up an old 46' yacht. Going to go and have a look at his woodpile tomorrow. Must be some good stuff to salvage!

Still stripping planks! Have really seen nothing of too much concern as yet. Where one of the planks meets the transom on the starboard side, a fair amount of wood has been lost. Whether or not it needs replacing remains to be seen. I feel that a epoxy/wood flour repair should solve it without the need to resort to more serious action. I'll chat it through with Ken when he comes down to see us.