John I use foot pedals. I altered the adjustable foot pedals so that they can move freely forward and backwards. Used anodized aluminium tubes 8 mm to lead the rope through. I use 4 mm rope.
The rudder is mostly to compensate weather cocking and it works well. Yesterday I screwed the swivel axis to tight. I could only pull the rudder up. For down I had to ask my buddy for help. The hinge is made of rvs material that I used in the past to rig the mast of my little sailboat. One connected to the boat, the other one to the rudder. I use the pin of a D-shackle to connect.

Daan