"...You just might be able to snag the errant backing block. Find a long, small shank wood screw. Stick it down one of the deck holes and see if you can engage the wood block and screw it back to the underside of the deck...it's a long shot, but worth a try..."
Here are some tiller measurements.
Tip: One thing I do is wait until all the rudder hardware is put together and the rudder is hanging on your boat to drill the forward tiller strap bolt hole . That way you can pick the spot that gives you the right deck clearance on the forward end of the tiller. Don't want it scraping your new paint
Great idea!
Y'know, with digital cameras having an ISO rating of 1600+ you could photograph the exact location of the wood block through one of the holes. You'd need a sunny location to illuminate the scene inside, but I think it would work. I've used film cameras in a similar manner.
In the future. always leave one of the screws attached or you will hear the dreaded "thunk" of the block falling down.
Alan Glos
Cazenovia, NY