Murryay
The rod was a great idea.
I got these from ACS: Part# 05-15051 MFR Model# M-035-000 And I think they'll work well.
Here are the 3/4" length of 7/8" tube tack-welded:
fairleadTubes.JPG
I took a string between the rudder pedal and the rudder to figure out the best placement for them, and the middle ones (in station 82.5 / 84) turned out to be much higher than the plans call for. makes for a straighter line to the rudder.