This, in short, is the question- Short of putting an after market wheel in my Hunter 26.5, is there any way, or different configuration to the tiller on my boat? Last year was the first year I sailed a 1987 Hunter 26.5 which I purchased in Oct 2003. This is my first "real" sailboat. I have been trying to encourage my wife to join me. She generally enjoys it when she goes out but is still in the passenger catergory rather than crew. I find that the thing which is the biggest distraction for her is that the tiller keeps hitting her in the legs when she is sitting in the cockpit. The problem has now become more acute since I had to upgrade my auxillary outboard. The controls were mounted so that they stick up over the seat and when moving the tiller to port I have to lift it over the contols. This has resulted in some rather exciting moments in tight quarters. Obviously I could reposition the controls which may be the final solution, but it will leave a fairly significant hole in the cockpit wall. What I am wondering is whether there is a different tiller available? Has anybody ever had experience with shortening the tiller? THis seems like a bad idea to me because you will lose the mechanical advantage when the tiller is under significant strain. I am looking for a simple solution for this season. I may upgrade to a wheel after the season is over, but our season here on Penobscot Bay is pretty short and I don't want to lose the time. Does anybody have experience in upgrading this boat (Hunter 26.5) to a wheel and where in the cockpit was it mounted and how well did it work.
Any suggestions for being crowded by the tiller ?
- Thread starter Crackerjack
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Get a tiller with a different curve
Try to get a tiller that is curved up over your knees. (This is the set-up in our '77 h27.) Call the folks advertising on this site, and see if they can bend a custom curve for the 26.5. You may have to extend to rudder stock to accomplish this.But the cost will be much less than a wheel, and you will retain the advantages of the tiller. (Delicate feed-back, fast rudder movement, clear rudder position info, and easy clearing of the cockpit when in port, or at anchor.) David Lady Lillie
Try to get a tiller that is curved up over your knees. (This is the set-up in our '77 h27.) Call the folks advertising on this site, and see if they can bend a custom curve for the 26.5. You may have to extend to rudder stock to accomplish this.But the cost will be much less than a wheel, and you will retain the advantages of the tiller. (Delicate feed-back, fast rudder movement, clear rudder position info, and easy clearing of the cockpit when in port, or at anchor.) David Lady Lillie
C'JACK
We have a 2001 h260 with tiller steering. Not sure how it compares to yours, but the size and configuration of the cockpit must be somewhat similar. My Wife - a Maineiac - is also a passenger, not crew, so I understand your situation. Yes, you might be able to make equipment adjustments to alleviate the problem, but I suggest another route. As your Wife acclimates to sailing(with your guidance), she’ll know where to be sitting under different conditions to avoid being rapped by the tiller. If you had crew aboard, you’d give commands before tacking or gibing. In this case, you simply tell your Wife that you’re going to do something and she should be ready to change positions. Eventually, she’ll get the hang of it. In our boat, if the cockpit is crowded and moving around is difficult, I just raise the tiller as I’m about to move it. Hope you both have fun with your boat!!! Paul s/v The Lord Nelson
We have a 2001 h260 with tiller steering. Not sure how it compares to yours, but the size and configuration of the cockpit must be somewhat similar. My Wife - a Maineiac - is also a passenger, not crew, so I understand your situation. Yes, you might be able to make equipment adjustments to alleviate the problem, but I suggest another route. As your Wife acclimates to sailing(with your guidance), she’ll know where to be sitting under different conditions to avoid being rapped by the tiller. If you had crew aboard, you’d give commands before tacking or gibing. In this case, you simply tell your Wife that you’re going to do something and she should be ready to change positions. Eventually, she’ll get the hang of it. In our boat, if the cockpit is crowded and moving around is difficult, I just raise the tiller as I’m about to move it. Hope you both have fun with your boat!!! Paul s/v The Lord Nelson
My solution
I bought the stern rail seats available on this website. Now any non-working crew can ride up and away from the action. Another solution my wife also likes is a cushion placed at the entrance to the companionway, just in front of the traveller. She rests her arms on the cabin, feet on ladder, secure at all angles of heel.
I bought the stern rail seats available on this website. Now any non-working crew can ride up and away from the action. Another solution my wife also likes is a cushion placed at the entrance to the companionway, just in front of the traveller. She rests her arms on the cabin, feet on ladder, secure at all angles of heel.
Wright’s suggestion
of stern rail seats is excellent! They expand the seating capacity of the cockpit and are the best seats on board, when the boat’s not healed too much. If your tiller has a tiller extension, it’s also a pretty good seat for the helmsman. I suggest you also order the seat cushions and seat-back cushions, available at the chandlery at this site. Paul s/v The Lord Nelson
of stern rail seats is excellent! They expand the seating capacity of the cockpit and are the best seats on board, when the boat’s not healed too much. If your tiller has a tiller extension, it’s also a pretty good seat for the helmsman. I suggest you also order the seat cushions and seat-back cushions, available at the chandlery at this site. Paul s/v The Lord Nelson
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