Emergency Tiller System

[DIGIUSTO]

I have a Hunter 27 Year 2007.
Does it have an Emergency Tiller System?

Hunter 27-2014 list an Emergency Tiller System as standard equipment.

Thanks

 

[Les]

I believe my 2008 H27 is much like your boat and I have a emergency tiller in the port cockpit locker. Behind the wheel is a round hatch that if removed will allow me to fit the emergency tiller to the rudder. While I have never done this I suspect it would not be easy to steer but I think it would be doable. The emergency tiller is nothing more then a short steel tube with a fitting to fit on the top of the rudder. Quite frankly I haven't looked at it for years but I know it is in that locker.

I have had five Hunter sailboats and all have had some sort of an emergency back up steering system.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

It was standard on the 2007 27 which I sold some of those boats and introduced it for Hunter. One thing to remember when using any emergency tiller. Do not make sharp turns and slow down in so using it.

 

[Les]

Okay, Mr. Condon. I'll bite. Why should you not make sharp turns and slow down in so using it? I'm intrigued.

 

[HarrisOutdoors]

Okay so let's revisit this question. My 1980 H27 has an emergency tiller post exiting out of the front of the aft seating. The emergency tiller device its self was lost well before I got the boat. The tiller post is smooth, with no teeth and the inside of the shaft is filled with what appears to be cork. So if you actually had the emergency tiller how would you attach it to the post. Does anyone have an image of the original before I just create my own monstrosity to do the job?

 

[jssailem]

Here is an image form the manual for the Hunter 27X the racing version of the 2007 27 design. It may help.

The reason one sails or cruises slowly with an emergency tiller installed, is the thing on most boats is difficult to handle. It is also ditch effort before calling for a tow. And in the end you may need a tow to get into the Marina. With most set ups there is not the leverage to force the rudder over to either direction. The faster you go the more force needed.

 

[HarrisOutdoors]

That's way more modern than mine appears to be but thanks... My post comes out of the seat right where the back of your leg touches... when steering in shorts if you aren't paying attention it pinches the hell out of my leg when turning.

 

[HarrisOutdoors]

That shiny stainless beercan looking thing in the middle of my seat is the emergency tiller post... Dont judge the paint that is happening this weekend... ;-) but there is no way to attach to that post that I can find...

 

[Justin_NSA]

That shiny stainless beercan looking thing in the middle of my seat is the emergency tiller post... Dont judge the paint that is happening this weekend... ;-) but there is no way to attach to that post that I can find...

That doesn't look factory to me. The notch in the seat looks rough. Could a P.O. have modified it? I'm not sure a tenoned tiller attachment will not snap.

 

[HarrisOutdoors]

Right... I'm sure this isn't factory... but working with what I have so to speak. This boat is 40 and has been underwater at least once that I can tell... its a tank and has very little in common with what it once was... God knows what the rig is actually cause I don't think that is standard either... the mast height is not factory for sure... but It sails nicely, it doesn't leak, and it is a great place to drink beer and hang out at a marina or the islands.

 

[jssailem]

Harris. That is not of the 27X vintage. Sorry I confused the message.

Most Em Tillers I have seen use a through pin to hold them down on the head of the shaft. They tighten tighten against the shaft with a strap using friction to hold it agains the shaft. Some have a bar welded inside the shaft that they EM tiller slides into and over. The EM tiller post has a U cut in the post bottom to slide over the Bar. There are 3 elements of the design trying to hold the EM Tiller onto the shaft so you can turn the rudder.

Suspect you will be fashioning your own design. It will need to employ multiple ways to grab onto the Rudder shaft. I agree with @Justin_NSA just adding a tenon into the shaft will not work for long. You might do that and add a strap around the rudder shaft to engage some friction as you tighten the EM tiller to the rudder post. It will also serve to keep the tiller tenon in the rudder shaft.

 

[HarrisOutdoors]

No worries and thanks for the input... god only knows what I've gotten myself into but I'm going to make something for safety sake... I guess I'll be posting that in the user custom builds section!