Have you tried another Catalina suggestion- obtaining some overhead projection film (Mylar sheets) from Staples and slipping them between the post and tube to rebuild thickness- no epoxy

I did the epoxy thing with my 1976 Catalina 30. Used epoxy with graphite mixed in. Not a fun job but it did work. The work needs to be done on the hard so you can plug the bottom edge with modelling clay.

I repaired a loose rudder post using UHMW sheet material on a Islander 28. It's available from McMaster Carr in various thicknesses. Cut strips about 1-1/2" wide and wrapped around post. The repair lasted a several years before the sheet material wore rubbing against the harder glass rudder tube. Next step was the epoxy repair but sold the boat before I got that far

Rob,
I purchased my C30 about 7 years ago. Purchased as salvage after a hurricane in the NE. Sold her 3 years ago when I purchased my C36. Buy old goods and fix them up. I guess I will have to get a 40 foot plus for the next up grade....:eek:

Rob

The rudder on the Islander was easily dropped so I lowered it about 3 inches. Not knowing the exact slop in the rudder post I bought several thicknesses of UHMW sheet hoping that I'd be able to use just one layer wrapped around the shaft. As it turned out I used two different thicknesses with one wrap each. I cut the seam on a diagonal and staggered these opposite of each other. I ended up with a fairly tight fit and was concerned at first that I'd end up with too much resistance, but within a short time it wore in and remained consistent for several years. The shims were not glued into the post, just held in place and lifted the rudder back into place with a slight interference fit. The inside of the rudder post was somewhat rough and not necessarily round either so it wasn't a perfect fix but the shim material filled the gap and was an easy and quick solution at the time.