Tominpa THANKS SO MUCH! I installed the rivets you specified on the rear half of one tramp rail and it seems to have totally fixed the problem. The ra...

Couldn't stay ahead of this problem until I started wearing socks inside the boots. Almost all the funk goes out with the socks. Then simple detergent...

Ben, Interesting update. I'm curious about how the wing failed. Did it crumple under load, or did it crack and tear apart? Where on the tube did the f...

Lengthening the stopper tube is a clever and useful idea for maintaining steerage while still having the rudder tensioned. If the bungee is taught the...

I like the knot idea, and can imagine this working. The knot could be made large enough to not allow the line to slip between the rudder and the casti...

Speaking strictly for myself and without regard to the other opinions here. I bought a crappy beat up '83 5.0 a few years ago for more money than thi...

Did this yesterday. Fully extend tiller - tie on bungee to ring ding on the tiller - fish tiller through and past mast support bolt in the middle. Til...

Did this yesterday. Fully extend tiller - tie on bungee to ringding on the tiller - fish tiller through and past mast support bolt in the middle. Till...

Something that has worked for me is to go to youtube and search your boat. Many times you can stop the action and grab some useful info in hi def.

Built my own shrouds and one came apart on the maiden voyage at the first puff. Way more costly than buying a stock set.

Can't comment on the shroud length as I have a "custom length" mast. Will advise you that the second crimp is absolutely necessary, and both should lo...

Lee, I also bought an 83 5.0 with a set of rudders that looked just like yours. I was able get it very straight by deflecting the center with the ends...

I'm with Ed. GET the hog ring pliers for $14.00. A great tool you will also need for trap bungee and righting lines. If you use an extra foot or so of...

Regardless of the exchange rate, that is an inexpensive guaranteed good time. Bring on the repairs!

Ed, Good info. I have new plastic cleats, and you have convinced me to use them on the old setup again. The tube part of it still works just fine. I k...

Ed, thanks for describing this problem better than I managed to do. The stomp on the rudder while pulling the rope trick was providing just too much a...

I see that the ones available (Murray's) have no boss to fit in the crossbar hole. I'd recommend that you give Pete Begle a call - his number is on i...

Lee, I have the same year 5.0 as you. You need the correct castings to secure your front crossbar properly. When assembling these it is really helpful...

The Murray parts that fix the problem worked great for me. Being unable to steer is a bad thing. The system now works smoothly and decreases my parano...

Jeff O, It sure seems like those cross beams must have come off a different boat. Maybe somebody picked them up cheap and they were in better shape th...

Nacraflyer - Still looking for info on your Wings! My back gets older every day.

rch701 - A dremel tool is your best friend for this type of work. I've used these on Sunfish hulls and they are well suited for careful preparation. A...

Edchris177- In an effort to get the boat water ready quickly I'm going to simply replace the stock rod. It is interesting that your boat came from Gle...

Damon, Thanks for the forum info and the links. Ed, The information that the V brace needs to be replaced is enough to make me just do a simple repla...