Stiff Helm / Steering

I'm betting it's a bearing on the rudder shaft binding. At the dock, if so inclined, disconnect the steering tie bar so that the rudders are independent. Move them back and further and compare the two in terms of stiffness or binding. Likely you find one is "locked up". Reconnect and coordinate for haul. On the hill, drop both rudders and replace both bearings. Yard will cut them for removal, and then freeze the new replacement bearings prior to pressing into place. Have the rudder shafts checked for straightness. Perhaps one has been bent in a previous impact. Most likely culprit is failure of one (or both) bearings that distorts the passage and binds the shafts. Replace the bearings, and she'll steer like new.

And, while doing this on the hill, spin your wheels by hand and compare. You may find a similar issue with the shafts. Metal boat, bronze bearing...corrosive buildup often caused with age and idleness.

If the bearings were checked without disconnecting the arms, they could only have been checked for horizontal play. That’s not your problem. Your issue is rotational, that the bearings are compressing against the rudder post (or one or both rudders are bent. That issue will FEEL like a good bearing on the hard with a horizontal check. However it’s still binding the rudder posts.

if you simply disconnect your cables and check the independent rudder movement you’ll know for certain. Simultaneously you could link the cable ends apart from the rudders and feel the steering to determine if there is something binding the cables. I doubt that’s the problem. I wager strongly it’s the bearings.

You’re chasing a ghost. The issue is a bad bearing or a bent rudder post. That’s what you need to be focused upon. While you’re at it check the bonding at the rudders and steering assemblies in the laz. Metal boat. Bronze bearing. Electrolysis drives this problem. Causes the bearing shell to swell. Pinches the post (or shaft).

Add, there is also a thrust bearing at the top of the rudder post with a zirc fitting. This could also be failing or stiff.

Good! Let us know what you find. Mechanical steering is an excellent system if it’s in good shape. No need to replace if that’s the case. When you take the cables loose from the tillers you can tie them together so that you can test the system apart from the rudder tension. That should tell you what you need to know about your steering system. Free, your rudders should rotate with ease while at the dock.