I just cracked my H&L laminated tiller. It is fastened to the headstock with two bolts; I noticed that the tiller was no longer "straight" in the stock, and when I investigated, I found that one layer of laminate had separated from another within the stock. I am assuming that downward pressure on the end of the tiller eventually caused this split at the other end. Anyway, the bottom few laminated layers have basically broken off for the length of the rudder head stock. The wood is sound, both in the tiller and on the broken part. It looks like I could glue the broken piece right back. Any advice on what type of adhesive to use? Any techniques to suggest? Several people at the dock suggested epoxy, but it never hurts to get more opinions. Thanks.
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Laminated Tiller Repair
Same thing happened to me. Drilled from underneath and doweled the split. Used "gorilla" glue available at home improvement store and then sanded and varnished. Has been fine last 2 seasons.
Same thing happened to me. Drilled from underneath and doweled the split. Used "gorilla" glue available at home improvement store and then sanded and varnished. Has been fine last 2 seasons.
Tiller Troubles
Order a new one from Ida Sailor. They are fantastic and guaranted for life. The cost is very reasonable.
Order a new one from Ida Sailor. They are fantastic and guaranted for life. The cost is very reasonable.
tiller repair
I've had the same problem with three different tillers. Epoxy --e.g. West System-- glue the parts together bolt thru with 1/4" s/s bolts counter sunk from the top. Fill countersunk areas with epoxy.
I've had the same problem with three different tillers. Epoxy --e.g. West System-- glue the parts together bolt thru with 1/4" s/s bolts counter sunk from the top. Fill countersunk areas with epoxy.
Did it too !!
Was going solo a couple weeks ago and backing up to my seat from the jib sheet winch. Boat lurched in 15 kn. breeze and I half sat on tiller. Heard a crack and thought oh s--- !! Removed the throughbolt, pulled the tiller, and forced a large screwdriver in the hole to spread the laminations. It had cracked in two adjacent laminations. One crack from the hole to the stern end and one from the hole to a point about 6 inches forward toward the handle. The screwdriver held the laminations apart so I could get adequate glue where needed. I used Elmers carpenter glue. Glue type is your choice. Removed the screwdriver, wiped up the drips, used 2 in. # 14 stainless steel screws in pilot holes; one in front of the bolt hole and one behind. Let it all dry and gave it the varnish treatment. Seems to work OK. Sure had sick thoughts when I heard that crack though. Good Luck, Bill
Was going solo a couple weeks ago and backing up to my seat from the jib sheet winch. Boat lurched in 15 kn. breeze and I half sat on tiller. Heard a crack and thought oh s--- !! Removed the throughbolt, pulled the tiller, and forced a large screwdriver in the hole to spread the laminations. It had cracked in two adjacent laminations. One crack from the hole to the stern end and one from the hole to a point about 6 inches forward toward the handle. The screwdriver held the laminations apart so I could get adequate glue where needed. I used Elmers carpenter glue. Glue type is your choice. Removed the screwdriver, wiped up the drips, used 2 in. # 14 stainless steel screws in pilot holes; one in front of the bolt hole and one behind. Let it all dry and gave it the varnish treatment. Seems to work OK. Sure had sick thoughts when I heard that crack though. Good Luck, Bill
thanks for the assistance
Thanks to all. It turns out that upon closer inspection, there was some significant rot in one of the laminates. It appears that water got into the bolt holes, and most of the laminate between the two bolt holes had gone punky. My leaning on the end of the tiller was the straw that caused the laminate to fail. Because of the rot, I couldn't just glue it back together; I needed to replace the rotten wood with something. I wound up taking something from a couple of suggestions made by you all. I used West epoxy. After cleaning out the rotted wood, I saturated the splintered areas and painted all of the rest of the exposed sound laminates with unthickened epoxy. I put the laminates together and clamped. I then added the filler to the epoxy and forced it into the now-vacant space in the tiller where the rotten wood used to be. It filled in perfectly. On the bottom of the tiller about halfway across the break, I drilled for and added a 1 inch long 1/2 inch dowel of oak. I filled in the countersink with thickened epoxy. It seems to me that the formerly broken area is now the strongest part of the tiller.
Thanks to all. It turns out that upon closer inspection, there was some significant rot in one of the laminates. It appears that water got into the bolt holes, and most of the laminate between the two bolt holes had gone punky. My leaning on the end of the tiller was the straw that caused the laminate to fail. Because of the rot, I couldn't just glue it back together; I needed to replace the rotten wood with something. I wound up taking something from a couple of suggestions made by you all. I used West epoxy. After cleaning out the rotted wood, I saturated the splintered areas and painted all of the rest of the exposed sound laminates with unthickened epoxy. I put the laminates together and clamped. I then added the filler to the epoxy and forced it into the now-vacant space in the tiller where the rotten wood used to be. It filled in perfectly. On the bottom of the tiller about halfway across the break, I drilled for and added a 1 inch long 1/2 inch dowel of oak. I filled in the countersink with thickened epoxy. It seems to me that the formerly broken area is now the strongest part of the tiller.
Stronger Than Glue
My tiller broke the same way. I drilled three holes,One about one inch from the back of the tiller,one between the two bolts and a couple inches ahead of the second bolt and put three 10/24 bolts thru and now I could sit on the tiller and it would not break. Coram Deo Don
My tiller broke the same way. I drilled three holes,One about one inch from the back of the tiller,one between the two bolts and a couple inches ahead of the second bolt and put three 10/24 bolts thru and now I could sit on the tiller and it would not break. Coram Deo Don
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