Cheers guys...

Both of your posts explain it very well. Makes perfect sense.

1. Mast rake changes weather - leehelm balance due to change of CoE in relation to CoLR position.
2. Rudder rake balances the (amount) of feel of the weatherhelm.

The lock down system on my rudders was purely a peice of 4mm rope connected about 150mm down from the top of the rudder on the leading edge which then went up onto the rudder assembly frame and through a 6mm cleat. Everytime I used it the rope would jam between the rudder and frame and I'd be hanging off the back of the boat trying to unjam it. This would happen everytime on both sides <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />. And of course if you hit anything or picked up weed my rudders wouldn't retract, potentially very damaging.

I am replacing that with a bungee setup at the moment. Any idea's (pics) would be appreciated. My rudders are Hallsworth I think.