Rudder bearing service

Once again looking for your intellgent responses! In the hopes of getting various issues solved beforehand, I need help here. During the construction of my hull I want to incorporate a mini bulkhead affair that would encapsulate the rudder post. It will be designed to be sufficently above the waterline to allow the safe removal of the rudder. I would like the capability of replacing all bearings while in the water if the need ever arose. Is this worthwhile or just my paranoia?

 

Kudu,
You're paranoid...... (in this case) You shouldn't need to have to do that kind of thing. In 10+ years of drawing boats for solo round-the-world racing, I have never drawn a dry-replaceable bearing, or heard of anyone needing such a beast. Rufdder bearingsare the most lightly-loaded bearing system in the boat - limited range of movement, extremely slow rotational velocities, etc.
Should you feel the need for something to make you feel safe, however, just build a rudder tube that is continuous from hull to deck, and line the whole thing with a Dixon/Furon CJ bearing or similar. Insert rudder and forget. ;-)
Steve

 

Thanks for the input...Sometimes I tend "over build" in preparation for the worst! Glad to hear this is one item that doesn't require the same amount of attention.