Rudder and skeg issue.

Hi,

I have to replace the rudder pintle and the skeg gudgeon on a 1970s Hurley felicity and I'm stuck. I cant work out if the gudgeon and pintle are to take the weight of the rudder or to act a a guide and to stop any lateral movement.

At present the rudder is hanging quite happily with the bearings etc of the rudder post taking the weight.

Although this looks right (as the tiller arm is held well clear of the top of the post), there is horizontal play of about an inch and, as part of the skeg is missing, I can't see how it was originally.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

John.