I need to replace the ropes that lift and lower the rudder. The lifting rope appears to be easy enough to replace. It is tied through a hole in the rudder about one third of the way down and the short piece of rope is held via a jammer on the rudder stock. We are both quite old and find lifting the rudder extremely difficult. Is there a better way of doing this? What modifications have others made to their rudder mechanism?

Secondly, the downhaul. Now we can manage that as there is a 3:1 pulley system but the rope is worn and needs replacing. The bottom end follows a groove round the rudder and goes inside through a hole. How is this fixed and how can I access it?

Are there any drawings apart from the rather basic ones in the Parker 21 manual?

Hello

If your P21 rudder is similar to mine, it is quite easy to lift the rudder blade by working the tiller up and down a few strokes as you maintain tension on that uphaul through the cleat. (Like a pump action)

The downhaul is held in the rudder blade by a simple knot which is covered over with a dab of resin. It might need drilling/breaking out step by step with a 6mm drill in order to dig out the old ‘plug’ from one side

Hope this helps

Lindsey P21 Amy (Brancaster)

PS I am a mere 75yr old - the owner of P21 Sea Fever was sailing into his mid 80s (almost every day during the season!) Ideal yacht for pensioners!!