Connecting the tiller to the outboard has made piloting in and out of the slip a lot easier, and also the boat handles much better while motoring with the auto pilot while I'm putting up or taking down the main, etc. After a couple of different attempts, I ended up with what you see in the pictures. (I'd like to modify the mount for the ST1000 auto pilot, but the PO had done that and it seems to work for now.)
The connecting rod is available on SBO store - it is the good stainless steel version http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?5239. On the engine, I found some flat stock at Menards and bent to shape - I needed about 5-6" of rise from the front of the engine to get the tiller connector relatively level. I drilled the underside of the tiller to mount the second ball there. The wood is just two pieces of pine 1x2 I think, routed for the threaded rod - then Helmsman spar outdoor finish, some butyl on the inside to minimze rotation, and then screwed together with two screws each end. I finished with some lashing to make it nautical.
Note: The connecting rod WILL interfere with the autopilot compass and cause it to go crazy if I get it too close while installing/uninstalling. As installed, it doesn't cause a problem.
Easy to connect/disconnect from inside the cockpit, and works great. (This is the kind of victory one likes to claim to make up for the other frustrated and half-finished projects!)
The connecting rod is available on SBO store - it is the good stainless steel version http://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod.php?5239. On the engine, I found some flat stock at Menards and bent to shape - I needed about 5-6" of rise from the front of the engine to get the tiller connector relatively level. I drilled the underside of the tiller to mount the second ball there. The wood is just two pieces of pine 1x2 I think, routed for the threaded rod - then Helmsman spar outdoor finish, some butyl on the inside to minimze rotation, and then screwed together with two screws each end. I finished with some lashing to make it nautical.
Note: The connecting rod WILL interfere with the autopilot compass and cause it to go crazy if I get it too close while installing/uninstalling. As installed, it doesn't cause a problem.
Easy to connect/disconnect from inside the cockpit, and works great. (This is the kind of victory one likes to claim to make up for the other frustrated and half-finished projects!)
