I know people use them to upgrade from the old style rudders.I thought I'd seen a NOS factory plate advertised ($12) showing a clean inside location, with no previous attachment. Of course, it could have been a mock-up.
They definitely will bend. Maybe half of my six Sunfish had Vise-Grip marks left from "refurbishing".
Let us know how it went, Ggerry.
If the rudder falls off the boat and you lose your grip on it, at least it floats!Such malfunctioning can lead to the loosening (and possible loss) of pintle, three springs, extension, tiller, and rudder!