My rudder stock pin sounds the same as yours but didn't have a hole in. I found that it used to slowly work its way out. After almost losing my rudder I drilled a small hole just under the top hinge and put a split pin through.
David mclardie wrote:Hi all ..i was checking my boat last night and found that the rod holding the rudder onto the stern has snapped .its a stainless steel rod with a bolt welded on top with a locking ring at the bottom but near the top of the rod it had a hole drilled in it what looks to be a shear point and this is where it snapped is this a standard rod or an after market retro fit
thanks for any help
Regards
David