Just as info Buzz Ballenger at 831-763-1196 of Ballenger Spar Systems in Watsonville produced a new set of rudder bearings for my boat. Total cost was $100.00 plus shipping. Once installed the bearings solved all of the original problems. I just thought I would pass this on so if anyone else is having similar problems they know how to rectify the issue....

:: After purchasing 116 in March, before I sailed the boat
:: I decided to remove the rudder from the boat. I did this
:: because the rudder felt really tight and not totally
:: free to turn. Basically, I was affraid the tiller would
:: not be that sensative to feel the boat. Once I removed
:: the rudder from the boat I inspected and cleaned the
:: shaft as well as the derlin top and bottom bearings. I
:: reinstalled the rudder and did so by introducing a good
:: water capable grease to the shaft. After sailing the
:: boat for the first time I was ammazed still at how tight
:: the rudder felt in the boat although there was some
:: improvment. My question is this: Do all E27's have
:: 'tight' rudder shafts? Have people rectified the problem
:: with some solution and what is the solution. Has anyone
:: ever installed Harken or Edison rudder bearings?
::
:: Thanks for the info.