Time for a look at my rudder bushings next haul-out. There's a bit of slack in the wheel which feels like the cables have stretched, but they're tight to specs (one inch deflection per foot).
However, if you observe the rudder tube while sailing, there is lateral movement of the tube itself. No water comes in, and the exterior of the tube shows no evidence of cracking or stress damage.
But--would bushing wear cause the rudder tube to move laterally?
(that is--you'd expect the rudder post to be slopping around inside the tube that contains it; but not the tube itself)
However, if you observe the rudder tube while sailing, there is lateral movement of the tube itself. No water comes in, and the exterior of the tube shows no evidence of cracking or stress damage.
But--would bushing wear cause the rudder tube to move laterally?
(that is--you'd expect the rudder post to be slopping around inside the tube that contains it; but not the tube itself)
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