Emergency tiller

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Bob Skalkowski

This past November we bought a Hunter 285 which has a wheel but since you have to expect that everything on a boat will break someday, I'm sure the weakest link in the steering (the cables) will break too. To get back to port we'd need an emergency tiller. But where do you get one? I'm sure somebody makes them or can I make one myself? I'd feel bettter with one on board.
 
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Dakota Jim Russell

Not already on Board?

I think you'll find it already on board. On the 30 and 340 its tucked way up on the starboard lazarette. I would really explore the cockpit lazarettes to make sure it isn't hiding in the back of one, or even against the outside of it. If you don't find it there, and don't get a better response from someone with a 28.5, email Hunter via this website (main page). Jim
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Check the Photo Forum!

Bob: I did a photo essay on our H'31 emergency tiller. There have been a lot of boats that owners purchased and they where missing. I have no idea if the one on a H'31 is anything like on the 28.5 (same era).
 
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Ron Searcy

Starboard side lazarette

I have a 30' 1988 , Amanitzin , it's a pipe looking mechanism , painted black . It's stored neatly in it's own little slot . My guess is you can get it cheaper from the factory . To get it made could get pricey . I'm also in Havre de Grace . Tidewater Marina . I'd be glad to show you the setup . E-mail Edwinrssailor@cs.com
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Don't think they are similar!

Ron: I posted some pictures in the Photo Forum of the emergency steering on a H'30 and the H'31. I 'THINK' that the emergency steering on the H'28.5 is probably more like the H'31 than the H'30 that uses the wheel on your emergency steering post.
 
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Bob Skalkowski

Emergency tiller photos

Geez Steve! It looks like something I would make in my garage. You're right, I wouldn't want to use it in heavy seas. Bob Skalkowski
 
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Bob Skalkowski

Need to look somemore

We only got two days of sailing in, Dec. 1st
 
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Bob Skalkowski

Let's get together!

Ron, Nice to hear from someone from Tidewater. We'll definetly get together some time at Havre de Grace. Our 285 is presently wearing the name "Misty Too" but we're changing it to "Grace" (not taken from the name of the town). We also got the news yesterday that we've got a slip for next season. Bob Skalkowski
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
The Idea Solution....

Bob: The idea solution for an emergency tiller would be some sort of a combination of the unit that I have on my H'31, but with a rounded handle. I hope to never ever need this thing. If I was sailing 50-100 miles off shore on a regular basis, I would have this re-done. I'd make it from Stainless Steel. Would use a piece of Stainless pipe with the slots in the stock. Then I would have a hole drilled into the stock and insert a piece of Stainless Steel Rod for a handle. Then you could have a rubber handle placed on the end of the rod. The flat piece of metal that they used not going to bend (that is probably why the made them that way) but is sure going to be uncomfortable if you had to steer the boat for 8-10 hours that way.
 
Jan 22, 2003
744
Hunter 25_73-83 Burlington NJ
Emergency tiller notions

There was recently an article in some magazine about Dick Stearns nostalgically entering a 1965 Cal 40 in last year's Mackinac, and during the race the cable jumped the sheave and they had to break out the emergency tiller, which as usual is a hunk of iron pipe, bird-poop-welded together, that is TOO SHORT to steer the boat with. They removed the wheel (of course) and jammed one of the Avon's oars into the end till it stuck, but it was like 6 inches too long to clear the pedestal. So they trimmed up the boat to sail with the rudder 2 inches off centre whilst the helmsman hack-sawed the oar off to clear it. The rest of the race was better (they won class and overall). I can't emphasise enough that NO piece of emergency gear will EVER work ideally unless you PRACTISE with it. Take the wheel off and sail home some afternoon with the emergency tiller. If you see any need to improve it during clear weather, imagine how much more it will suck to have to deal with it when it's blowing enough to REALLY rip the cable off the quadrant. And no one is immune to being sloppy with this stuff. The stock Cherubini 44 emergency tiller was 2-inch pipe 2 feet long. Imagine!!! --with a barn-door rudder like that (that added 2 ft to the LWL). EVERYONE rigged something up in a hurry. (And yes, we DID make 44s with tillers, and yes, they DID sail very nicely, thank you!) JC 2
 
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