Makes sense for a boat that is dry sailed, or hauled for the winter. In-the-water boats, not so much.
Hello Christian, I hope I did not violate any rules for the forum; I have posted here under a different category. Anyway, my rudder has excessive movement in two planes; rotationally, and laterally. There is about 3/8" movement. Before launch, I tried to determine if the rudder was loose from the pin (post?), or if the movement was coming from somewhere else in the mechanism. If I understand the anatomy of rudders correctly, some are based upon an F shaped frame; if the rest of the rudder comes loose from this frame it is time for a new rudder, or at least a rebuild.What's the issue with your rudder?
The white paint thing--that's to prevent sun damage when the boat is hauled. Direct hot sunlight causes the skin/foam of a rudder to swell up and distort, so they should protected from sun when on the hard. Covering a dark rudder temporarily in paper does the same thing.
By the way, adding to an existing post--and "old" post--is much appreciated, when appropriate. It keeps all the information in one place for the next guy who searches for "Ericson 34-2 Rudder Rebuild."