I'm currently in the process of adjusting the rake on my rudders (EPO2) on an "adjustable rudder castings" except the set screws are stuck so I had to take the rudders off of my boat to work on this. When I removed the rudders I noticed that there is a "neoprene" piece inside the rudder castings that makes contact with the leading edge of the rudder within the casting and covers the area where the Rudder Rake set screw would come through the casting and make contact with the rudder - I assume to prevent damage to the rudders when engaged. I don't see this part listed (Neoprene material on the insides of the rudder castings) on the Hobie part diagram so I wonder if this is common on all newer castings (I have a 2008)? Is this material supposed to be here when using the set screws? The material is about 3/16" of an inch thick.
I started to peel the "neoprene" material off the inside of the castings to see if the "Rudder Rake Adjuster screw" was popping through and they were not which leads me to believe that the current set screws are not doing anything to help with the rake and my rudders are currently rake forward as much as possible with current holes and the "neoprene" material.
Anyone have any suggestions for getting the rudder rake adjuster screws "unstuck"?
FYI
On my port rudder I have about 1/2" of rake and on the starboard rudder I have negative 1" (meaning that when I measure to the below link method there is ~1" gap between my tape measure and the leading edge of the rudder)
http://w1dm.com/11%20Winter%20Hotline%20TOH.pdfThanks for every ones help