Stiff rudder

[Norris Johnson]

I have similar problem. My boat was grounded in the slip during the winter when a strong norther blew in and dropped the water level about 3 feet from normal. I was sterned-in and the rudder was on bottom. I started the engine and washed out under the rudder until all of the soft mud was gone. Since then, the sole of the cockpit moves some when walked on and the steering makes a little noise similar to when the cables are loose (they aren't loose). The cockpit sole moves slightly around the rudder post cover and around the pedestal. I removed the aft cabin panel, but I couldn't see anything obvious. About two years ago, I experienced a grounding while anchored out when during a squall, the wind switched 180 degrees and increased to 40 knts. We washed upon a sandbar and it was all over in 30 mins. I didn't have any problems from the grounding.
I will call Catalina.