...this is what Empty Pocket used to have. We cruise her alot and decided that it was time for a change.

stern assembly pre-rehab

...initial fitting of new deck.

stripped!

The old style rudder was a terrible waste of space above the waterline. This design keeps the rudder below the water and under the swim-deck.

installation of rudder-post sleeve

Aluminum skeleton of the new rudder.

new rudder

This is before we designed and integrated the folding dive ladder.

initial swim-deck assembly

Her is the nearly completed rudder. We extended the rudder down nearly 7 inches from the aluminum skeleton as a breakaway system should we ever run aground. This entire assembly weighs much less than the original unit.

foam and glass rudder

...starting to get an idea of how it looks.

first fit...

...note the integrated fold-out dive ladder. The stern was re-glassed and awl-gripped to give us a fresh start upon reassembly.

reassembly...

We replaced the ports with new Bomar stainless ones, and also engaged in designing a new cockpit enclosure for the colder climate cruising.

new enclosure

initial test-fit of the cockpit enclosure. We ultimately added rear boarding door zip-outs and side access panels.

stern enclosure view

...stern view.

another view...

...preparing to splash. I added a large bearing-ring on the rudder shaft at the lowest point of the stern to help should the rudder be bent back into the transom.

completed stern

When we first refit Empty Pocket, we encapsulated the keel with fiberglass and added a stainless steel grounding shoe, adding weight and stability to the boat where we needed it most... this has saved us many times over.

stainless steel keelboot

...and ready for a sea-trial!

We are designing a special tiller for Empty Pocket that has the engine controls designed into the arm. We will post pictures of this when it is complete.

finished!