Flexible tiller lock?

[marcus_werngren]

Hello,
In my Vega I miss the possibility to lock the tiller to get my hands
free for shorter periods. In the "techical tips" I´ve seen
constructions with the principle of a "comb" in which the tiller will
be locked. Though I feel that either those solutions means a bit to
much of work and now I´m looking for ideás and experiences of a simple
tiller lock using eg. ropes but still not permanently in the way when
sailing. The placement of the tiller and the main sail sheet is
already an logistic exercise I think
Thanks,
Marcus, Kungshamn Sweden [Puh 3094]

 

[pelagicasd]

Hi Marcus, On Lyric we have two large U bolts on each side of the cockpit
well. They have large backing plates so we can clip our safety tethers to
them. We positioned them so that we could clip on before we left the cabin.
As luck would have it they are just aft of the end of the tiller. I found
that we can wrap a bungee cord around the tiller and connect it to each U
bolt. It works well and will hold the boat on course for surprisingly long
periods with minimal adjustments. Walt

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi All

I'm off firt thing in the morning to the IFR. Flying to Copenhagan,
joining Peter and his Vega "Slowfox" and sailing to Germany (Eckenforde)
for the IFR. Will meet a few of you when we get there round 13th July
(afternoon) if all goes to plan.

Packed loads of shorst so it had better be sunny and warm with F3 to 4
beam winds!! We will see. Wet weather gear also packed.

Cheers all

Steve Birch (Technical)

 

[imbissfrank]

See you soon, I am leaving for Helgoland at first light. You will probably arrive before me. Ensure they have plenty of cold beer
Frank Gallardo
Cin Cin

Steve Birch steve@... wrote:
Hi All

I'm off firt thing in the morning to the IFR. Flying to Copenhagan,
joining Peter and his Vega "Slowfox" and sailing to Germany (Eckenforde)
for the IFR. Will meet a few of you when we get there round 13th July
(afternoon) if all goes to plan.

Packed loads of shorst so it had better be sunny and warm with F3 to 4
beam winds!! We will see. Wet weather gear also packed.

Cheers all

Steve Birch (Technical)

 

[mphalv]

Frank and Steve,

Have fun, you two. Wish we were going to be there. Launched Double Fantasy
yesterday. Better late than never!

Smooth sailing,

Melanie & Paul Halvachs
V1826
Holden, Maine

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi Frank

Will do but I will have a few of the beers myself. At least the beer
will be a decent price this time! Looking forward to some nice Danish
and German beer.

Cheers

Steve Birch (Technical)

 

[bobnlesafloat]

we have an adjustable bungy cord fixed on each side of the cockpit which loops over the tiller end. Slip them on adjust tension as required (with practice/experience this takes ten seconds) and it'll helm temporarily - in perfect conditions we've actually used it for a couple of hours.

highseasrover@... wrote:

 

[wemccourt]

Hi Group,

I have used the Bungee cord method when single-handing on other small boats
and it has worked well for short periods, like when furling/unfurling a sail
or pulling up fenders after getting underway. I thought it universally
known enough that I hadn't suggested it. Oh well, "knowlege is wasted
unless shared" I've heard somewhere.

Fair Winds!

Bill McCourt - WF1L
Reston, VA

 

[groundhogyh]

Hi Lucas,
That looks very interesting. On the vega, I was wondering where I could hook up the bungee since I don't have a toe rail with holes in it. For a product description in english seebr

http://www.proboat.co.uk/item.asp?dep=1&prod_id=108&cat_id=26

groundhog

 

[lastgaspid]

groundhog, connect the bungee to the lazarette latches.
Dave
V3233

 

[tom_rutter]

I've just been tying a spare rope across between the guard wires, and a
clove hitch onto the tiller. I use this to hold the tiller up for the auto
pilot too. Possibly a bit too low tech, and a worse trip problem. But I
used the tiller pilot most often anyway.

Tom