RE: rudder use
I started on a rudder only Sig Senior. Last year I put about 80 flights on a 10 sized Shrike. It doesn't have a rudder and flys great without it. But I sure missed having the rudder as it does limit the planes abilities. I did semi-retire it. I have a 40 size Shrike to build and have toyed with the idea of adding rudders to it.
I currently am flying a pattern plane with huge tail controls. It is a kick to fly the pattern sliding through turns with the rudder and keeping it level with ailerons.
It's all fun, MikeB