Many an elderly Aphrodite experience the symptoms of worn out bushings. The symptoms typically are that the rudder becomes difficult to turn in heavy wind. Also, the rudder moves in little steps while making a strange snoring sound. Stuff like that. 

New bushings cannot be purchased by the dealer, so they have to be taylor made by the local smith. ;-)

Here's a few pictures from the work. The rudder and shaft won't come off unless you dig a hole. At least not when in a standard cradle. So that's what you do first. It is not a deep hole, just some 25 centimeters. That's all.

First dig a holde of about 25 cm.

But lets start with the beginning. Why would anybody want to replace the bushings? Well, bushings wear out. The force on the rudder is considerable, and an old bushing will sometime block the rudder, - especially in heavy winds with the spinnaker in the air. Bad. Very bad. Here's a shot of the old and the brand new bushing.

Old and new bottom bushing.

As you can see, the old bushing looks pretty worn. Note the looks of the top bushing on the horizontal face, which carries the vertical force imposed on the rudder. 

Old and new top bushings.

On the next shot the new bottom bushing has been mounted.

New bottom bushing mounted.

All we need to do now, is to mount the rudder again.

Ready to mount. Torben with the rudder. 

..and we're done. A new bushing should cost around 300 danish kroners, made specifically for the purpose.