Illusion's Rudder Stock

Here is the basic principle. The rudder is permanently attached with a pintle at the top, but a stainless rod at the bottom to fit in a gudgeon on the transom.That leaves the offset rudder free to swing through 180 degrees.

This picture shows 9mm ply cut roughly to shape with 6mm stainless threaded rod clamped in place as a mock up. I'll use a 9mm - 9mm - 9mm ply sandwich to lock a 8mm rod in place, because most larger gudgeons accept 8mm pins. At 27mm thick it will be very strong, but it may need packing to fit the upper pintle.

Notice the forward skeg (it should be longer but I used an offcut). That skeg supports the weight of the boat when she dries out and stops her tipping back.

The skeg also supports her during portage. Matt fits wheels slightly forward of the COG in the Ultimate Florida Challenge to move his boats several miles overland - when he stops for a rest the boat stays level on the road.