Joe,
I have two thoughts on this matter. First, it's possible for the prop to  
hit the rudder ONLY if the rudder is not in the full forward down position,  
tucked up under the hull. The rope may be hanging loose and you simply need 
to  take up the slack and secure it. I find the boat steers quite well 
without the  rudder being connected to the motor, except in really tight turns. I 
was blessed  at birth with two good hands, so in tight situations I turn 
both the rudder and  the motor at the same time. :)
 
Rummy
 
 
In a message dated 7/9/2009 8:08:09 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
joe.babb at comcast.net writes:

Our boat  has Stan's steering system where the motor turns with the 
rudder.  So  I had always used the steering system until a week ago on 
our Oriental  trip when I left the engine locked straight ahead, left the 
steering  linkage disconnected,  and steered with the rudder for a short  
while.  The line which raises the rudder seems to have gotten chewed  
upon by the prop during a hard turn to port.  Either that or the  crabs 
in Pamlico Sound were bored.  Has anyone else had a problem  with that 
line?  Maybe it is just a shade too long?  I haven't  changed it from its 
factory  setting.
Joe

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