Replacing rudder stalk shaft.

[Blue Stocking]

Bluestocking is a 1965, Rhodes Reliant 41 Yawl, heavily FRP built by Cheoy Lee. Wheel steering is by a 1 5/8" stainless shaft, tapered and keyed into the bronze rudder aperture casting and squared of at the cockpit for the auxiliary tiller. After 52 years it has sheared, helped by crevice corrosion, where it enters the deadwood. Overall 46 " long. Kind of surprised it's not Metric sized. Can't find any correct size shaft stock locally, other than 2 " stainless. which would cost a mint to machine down to size, and cutting the 2 x 3/8" keyways for bottom and quadrant.
Thinking of going back with Bronze. Any thoughts on where to get 48" of 1 5/8" bronze (probably will come as standard 1 3/4") and opinions from anyone with EXPERIENCE doing this ?

Thanks.

[Wotname]

Have you tried a machine shop that specialises in commercial prop shafts and props, this is their stock in trade work?

FWIW, back in '65 almost SS almost anywhere in the world was imperial.

My experience with the cost of bronze would suggest the machining 2" of SS will seem cheap - of course, pricing may be different in your part of the world