Rudder pin rotation?

I'm rebuilding the rudders on my 1990 Hobie 18 sx because of excessive slop and poor boat response among
other issues.I put new bronze bushings in the lower rudder castings, cleaned up the rudder pins and reinserted them
Into the new bushings/castings. The fit between the rudder pins and the bushings is snug and the slop is gone but now the pins
rotate in the hinges that are mounted to the transom. Are the rudder pins supposed to rotate in these hinges or should I trap the pins (to keep them fro rotating) and force the rudders to rotate on the new bushings i installed? Any feedback will be appreciated.

I have it so the pintle rotates in both the gudgeon on the transom and rotates in the casting on the rudder. All three items should be independent of each other and freely rotate independent of the other part. Use marine grease on all parts. Add 3in1 oil frequently to keep the parts moving.

Enjoy!

_________________
John Forbes
Hobie 18 Reimagined
Sail # 490
Boat name: 18@heart
http://www.hobie18.fun
https://www.facebook.com/Hobie18catamaran/

Pin rotation within the gudgeons is fine. In many cases, the bushings in the casting will be so snug that the pin will not rotate with the casting.

Just make sure that you’re using stainless rudder pins. Aluminum pins will quickly wear against the stainless goudgeon and then they can snap under load.

sm