Thingy between tiller and rudder

[RogerC]

Imagine a boat where the tiller connects through the sole of the cockpit to the rudder post.

There's some sort of rotating thing there, set in the sole that has the tiller on top and the rudder post on the bottom, that seals, right? Something like a bearing or a gland or something?

What's that thing called? Is there any variety in what sort of mechanical thing is used there? Are they the sort of thing that sometimes leak?

Thanks for any help -- I don't even know enough to ask a coherent question.

[Spot]

Hi RogerC,

What exactly is there is boat and previous-owner dependent.
Which boat?
A rudder tube with seals/packing/glands/bearings around the rudder post keeping the water on the outside of the boat and allowing the rudder to pivot is all possible.

PS Nothing so wrong with your terms, just not sure if all apply in your case.

[RogerC]

As an example, the Cape Dory 25D.

I'm mostly interested in how it keeps rainwater and other cockpit water out.