Thanks Chris for you guidance on this. I'll leave the leeboard at it's present length and test it in the spring. If need be I could always cut it down after the tests but I don't want to touch it if I am sailing well.

I ordered the "Ronstan Urethane Universal Joint RONRF3133" and will add a wooden tiller to it. I think I need to redo my rudder also. What I would really like to have is the Balogh bat-wing sail. If I can sail pretty good with my cheap poly sails I may go for it.

John