[Paul_L]

Do other J/28's have the zerk fittings? I'm guessing these were an after thought. It looks like you have a roller upper bearing, maybe a Harken on the post. The stainless sleeve you have on the post looks the same as the one that is used with lower roller bearings. Is it possible that the boat was built with a Harken lower bearing and that a previous owner wanted to to do a cheaper replacement and added the Delrin bearing and zerk fittings?

Paul L

 

[Paul_L]

> I was surprised at how heavy the rudder is. I'm guessing 100+ lbs, is yours
>that heavy?
One thing worth doing while you have the rudder out is to put it on a saw horse with the bottom lower than the top and drill a couple of small holes near the lower end. See how much water comes out and for how long. A little is probably expected, alot is needs looking into. You can easily epoxy the holes latter.

Paul L