Hi all, The rudder down haul line has chaffed through the orignal line and the first replacement. Currently on my second replacement. Upon close inspection. I found that the line is chaffing on the threads of the thru bolts that attach the lower rudder bearing and the steering bracket. When the rudder is in the up postion, the down haul line is drawn across the sharp edge of the end of the SS rudder post, too. I believe that the difficulty in getting the rudder down is that the line is caught on the edge of the rudder post. I notice if I kick the rudder down with my foot to get it started, it is very easy to pull down rest of the way with the line. To resolve this problem, I am planning on filling the threads on the through bolts where they pass through the rudder post with something so they are smooth. The worst part is the rough edge of the rudder post where the line is being cut. Perhaps using a file to break the edge would be enough. Any other ideas? Fair winds... Tom