Can I shorten my tiller?

[Mougly]

Hello all

I am thinking about changing my tiller as the one on now was painted and the paint is peeling off....I will be making a new tiller myself and was thinking about making it about 7" shorter so that it does not hit my passengers when it is hard to Port or Strb, is there a reason why I should not shorten it?

Cheers

 

[george schmidbauer]

the longer the tiller,the more leverage you have on the rudder.

 

[george schmidbauer]

I would try sailing the boat in heavy air with my hand at the point where I want to shortion the tiller to see how heavy the helm is.

 

[BobM]

Try operating the current one with your hand further back, if you are fine go for it. You might want to shorten your current one first to try it before going new. It also really isn't worth making one yourself. The cost of a custom or semi-custom tiller new is less than the cost and trouble of making one. I had one made extra long, becaues I wanted to be able to reach the main sheets without letting go of the tiller.

 

[Deadline2]

Good idea, actually

It will give you more room to maneuver and won't poke the crew as much. However, the point is well taken that the longer the tiller the more leverage -- especially in brisk winds.

Try this: fashion another rudder and cut it half, applying a hinge. Try that to see if it works. Have the original handy and don't bolt the hinged one in. That way you can make a quick switch. If after a while you're comfortable with the short version, proceed to cut the original in half (or three-quarters) and add the same hinge.

 

[Dave Groshong]

You can probably get away with it, if you add a hiking stick, which really helps with mechanical advantage. The tillers we offer here are beautifully laminated ash and mahogany, most at $99:

http://shop.sailboatowners.com/tillers/detail-till.htm?fno=400&group=420

http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?fno=400&group=582

 

[Ted]

Hiking Stick

A hiking stick will not give you any mechanical advantage.

 

[Joe]

Please, don't do this!!!

Try this: fashion another rudder and cut it half, applying a hinge. Try that to see if it works.

Rudder?????

 

[sailingdog]

Joe—

I'm pretty sure Deadline2 meant Tiller, not rudder...

 

[Joe]

experiment....

I will be making a new tiller myself and was thinking about making it about 7" shorter ....... is there a reason why I should not shorten it?

I've seen others shorten the tiller for exactly that reason. Try this experiment: wrap some tape on the existing tiller to the length you're considering.... then sail with it for a while to see how you like it... Don't throw the old one away... just in case.

Leverage is one thing..but I don't think 7 inches is going to be a noticeable change. More importantly, what will be affected is your ability to steer from the forward part of the cockpit..... very important when the weather gets nasty and you want to snug up against the bulkhead or underneath the dodger.

 

[Joe]

Joe—

I'm pretty sure Deadline2 meant Tiller, not rudder...

Well, if you say so. But.... that's a pretty serious typo. Hope some of our less experienced readers don't run out and saw their rudders in half to make more room in the cockpit. heh, heh

 

[kendall]

Like most, I'll say strat using the tiller by holding it where you'd like to shorten it. If your typical sailing conditions doesn't create any issues with control then you can safely shorten it.

You can easily fab up an extension if you want to have the added leverage on standby.

Ken.

 

[Ron20324]

Joe—

I'm pretty sure Deadline2 meant Tiller, not rudder...

Oh... and I was wondering if he mean cut lengthwise or crosswise.

 

[TucsonTony]

I just cut my rudder in half - I used a blowtorch and some real heavy metal chisels and a big giant hammer. It took a lot of effort and I sure hope it's worth it. The tiller DOES seem easier to push back and forth now. The weather is getting real blustery right now, so I'm heading out to the big water to give her a try. Thanks for the advice! I'll keep you posted.

 

[RichBone]

Get a tiller with a bigger curve to give it more rise to avoid hitting legs.
Rich

 

[Mougly]

Thank you all

All points where well taken, I like the idea of getting a tiller with more curve. But still like to make my own..I was thinking of making it from solid ash or other hard wood, then Epoxy it.

I will also take the advice of experamenting with my current tiller, and will keep it as a spare.

cheers