[QUOTE=9D280;473327]I wonder if what you are seeing is water being forvced up the front of the leg whioch if that plate wasn't there would jetwash your "rudder bearing" nicely.
If it is simply upward moving water bouncing off the plate, could you bend it down a bit at the outer edge to deflect the water back down rather than out sideways? A bead of sikaflex might have the same effect?
Thats exactly what appears to be happening , you have described what i was having trouble describing Thanks
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The old short shaft didn't have that 3rd plate , but as you say if its protecting the steering bearings then i will live with it . However it is soaking the underside of the motor which never used to happen .
I suspect that if it was used on a boat with power trim then the it would probably become streamlined when trimmed for cruising .