I get a vibration in the steering system of my old Owens 27. I've checked
and had checked all the steering linkages and the gearbox and there is no
play. Also I checked the boat (it is old) for hogging underway and none what
so ever. I've got the problem down to being that the rudder is not balanced.
I have called dozens of prop shops up and down the coast to see if they do
rudder balancing, none of them do. I can't even get them to point to someone
who does. Does anyone know of any shops that balance rudders? Otherwise, it
looks like I'm going to have to braze material on to the leading edge of the
rudder and grind it off in a trial and error fashion until the rudder
balance. One old guy said to try bending the rudder relative to the shaft so
the center of effort is moved forward but I don't think this is good advice.
It would give the rudder a forward canted leading edge which I don't think
is good. Thanks.

Randy