Bill Roberts,

at one point you said
"Pull the green line for GO and the rudder goes down and locks. Pull the red line for STOP and the lock releases and the rudder comes up. If you run aground, the rudder automatically comes up. "

I agree this is a simple concept, and the SC rudders do this very well.

I modified my Nacra 6.0na rudders, much with the help of the pictures and instructions on the 'St. Simons Cat sailor' page. NOw there's NO bungy, so when it pops up, you don't loose all you steering ability. And it pops up when you strike something substantial, or run aground.

And about the line stretching and loosing rudder rake when underway, yea, that WAS a problem. Until, the advice of my good friend Scott Tuma 'Rigging Solutions' owner in Clear Lake TX.
NOw I use a very NON stretchy line for the downhaul line in the 'pivmatics', and when lowering the rudder, I 'seat the rudder against the casting. Then, with the pivmatic still up about two inches, I cleat it hard, then hold my thumb on it while putting it down on the tiller arm.

It works awesome now, and you have to 'uphaul' the rudders and cleat them like a prindle system. Never broke a rudder, or casting in the surf with this set up. It's easy to modify, and inexpensive too.

Todd Bouton