Emergency Tiller

[MLampner]

My 1977 H30 has no way to setup an emergency tiller if the wheel steering fails. While I maintain the rig well has always made me nervous. I know in theory you can steer with the sails but close in no rudder would make me drop the hook and wait for a tow.

I have been wondering if anyone knows what the top of the rudder post looks on these boats. I was thinking it would not be hard to cut in an inspection port over it and rig some sort of drop down onto the top of it if its accessable, but don't know what the top really looks like as its not visible without tearing the 1/4 bulk head out.

I know the later versions had a port to rig an emergency tiller so I wonder how the 77 varies.

 

[tomgrigsby]

My 80 has a little access spot, but I can get to the post by crawling into the starboard cockpit locker. Don't know if yours is the same. I'm 5'8 and weight 200 lbs. It is a bit of a tight fit getting through the opening, but once inside a can move around. If you can get in there, take a flashlight and an inspection mirror with you to check the top of the post.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Steve Dion posted this years ago. I think it applies to your boat.
http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...7&cat_id=23&aid=6879&page=article&mn=30_74-83.
Cherubini owners should be familiar with the "mods" forum. And not just your boat, lots of H27 fixes apply to the H30 and H33 for example.

 

[MLampner]

Thanks Tom and Ed, will try and gain access through the lazerette, though I am a bit chunkier than Tom 6'1" and 215 on a good day. Ed thanks for the link to Steve's post. Steve if you are following this thread do you have a shot down from the inspection plate you added, would love to see what the top of the rudder shaft looks like, even if I can gain access through the lazerette, looking straight down on it would be helpful.

 

[ggrizzard]

Does your boat have a "Lazarette" locker... That is, at the aft end of the cockpit, under the helm seat?
Seems that I saw a post on an 'Older than 1979" 30 footer that did and was set up with an metal tiller arrangement attached in the locker..
Otherwise, if your quarter berth has a bulkhead aft, it's removable to access the rudder post.

 

[MLampner]

Unfortunately I don't have the rear locker as some of the slightly newer versions did. I can pull the bulkhead if I have to but we have an air conditioner mounted in it. I think Tom's suggestion of coming in from the starboard locker may be easier for my initial purpose, which is to make sure the top of the post can be reached from above.

If it can be then any further work can be done by creating an inspection port in the rear seat. At least that's what my current thinking is.

 

[ggrizzard]

DIY it!

Big hole saw, piece of aluminum tubing with a "key" that fits the wheel hole at one end, a deck access plate, some 5200... You're in business (If your model has the skeg attached rudder, it should be an open top rudder post).

 

[Steve Dion]

The boats came with the inspection plate. It was NOT added on that model

Hopefully you can get into the area (or have someone smaller) and take a look.

I can get additional photos and some measurement if you need them.

 

[MLampner]

Thanks Steve plan to look at this this coming weekend. May ask for help dependent on what I find.