Many rudder assemblies have been lost to the bottom of lakes, rivers and sounds over the years. The original Chrysler "Safety Catch" is pretty much useless. If you currently depend on this safety catch, we recommend you rig a line from your boat to the rudderhead.
If you have lost your rudder assembly to Davy Jones' Locker, you basically have 4 choices:
1. Purchase a Nickels rudder assembly.
2. Purchase an Ida Sailor rudder assembly.
3. Buy an entire boat for the rudder assembly.
4. Build your own rudder assembly.
The pros/cons and costs of each choice are detailed in the links to the right.
The choice you make will be influenced by how you sail. For example, if you intend to participate in a Mutineer National Championship, you may want to purchase a Nickels rudder assembly with a finished rudder.
Ultimately the choice is up to you. You may choose to build your own resulting in significant savings over a new Nickels or Ida Sailor rudder assembly. Or you may be lucky and find an old boat that still has the rudder assembly.