Went to take our Hunter 23.5 off our mooring for the season. The tiller was broken in half. We would bungee it to the square tube inserted where the table mounts between the seats and I guess the waves hitting the rudder broke it above the bolt that fastens it to the rudder. I had had the tiller repaired acouple of years ago when the bolt that mounts it to the rudder, wore the hole in the tiller to the point that it was very sloppy steering. The hole was welded and redrilled. Hardness in the aluminum lost? I would appreciate any input as to repairing or replacing the tiller and how to keep from self destructing. I'm sure the tiller is original. It about a 2" aluminum tube bent to shape and I use after market tiller extension on it. Thanks for your ideas.
broken tiller blues
- Thread starter bill beyler
- Start date
- Status
Broken Tiller
I replaced the aluminum tiller with a folding oak tiller that I made ($12 for the oak, about $80 for the 2 sets of chainplates/bolts I used for a hinge...doubled up on the chainplates for rigidity). I wrapped the oak in glass/epoxy where the bolts went. More space in the cockpit, especially at the slip.
Thanks for your reply Jim. I would love to see your setup if you have or can get pics or plans. I appreciate any help I can get.
My H22 kept breaking tillers. But the design must be different. Here are pics of how I reinforced it. I installed a piece of aluminum tubing through the bolt hole.
These are nice, thinking of getting one for our O'day. I like that the rudder swings up 180 degrees out of the water.
http://www.ruddercraft.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=41&products_id=270
http://www.ruddercraft.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=41&products_id=270
Tiller Tip
Bill, I keep my boat on a mooring also and the first season I owned the boat, the tiller mount bolt wore an egg shaped hole and caused a lot of slop in steering. I since repaired the bolt and hole but now pull up the rudder when moored and tie a rope around it and cleat the ends of the line at the end of the transom. This stops the wear and tear on the tiller when not sailing.
This is a very good idea. G-10 could be used instead of aluminum. In either case saturate well with epoxy.
replace it with a nice wooden one from the ships store here on this site. I had the same problems. Repaired the old metal one twice. It failed at the start of a race in close quarters with other boats. Besides, the wood looks and has better feel in the hand...
- Status