I find the rudder very lively on my 216 so I'd like to add dampening or friction. I also would like a way to brake it while setting up the boat, sails, etc. Any ideas on adding a variable brake, like a screw knob on the rudder pod like big boats have on the pedestal wheel? I attached a shock cord across the tiller to the aft cleats with mixed results. Thanks
Hunter 216 tiller brake?
- Thread starter Alan Backus
- Start date
I used to own one of these. On a tiller boat, the leverage near the pivot point is just too high to try to brake the swing by some friction-increasing thing closer than where you hand normally rests. You will need to rig a lashing of some sort. Davis Instruments sells a thing that locks to a line run from the gunwales called a Tiller Tamer, but looking at the pictures I just rigged my own: Tiller-Tamer™
A line run between the jib sheet blocks on the gunwales with a loop formed so it can be slipped over the end of the rudder to hold it steady to raise sails, grab a beer, or whatever. In either case, you will not want to leave it in place while sailing, so you need to make it easy to detach and throw below.
Not that it matters, but what year H216 do you have? The cassette Vara rudder, or the hung off the back rudder?
A line run between the jib sheet blocks on the gunwales with a loop formed so it can be slipped over the end of the rudder to hold it steady to raise sails, grab a beer, or whatever. In either case, you will not want to leave it in place while sailing, so you need to make it easy to detach and throw below.
Not that it matters, but what year H216 do you have? The cassette Vara rudder, or the hung off the back rudder?
What I did on my tiller boats was to use a nylon dock line that was anchored to one side stern cleat then wrap 3 turns around the tiller and continue on to the opposite stern cleat. by stretching the line it makes a nice friction clutch on the tiller but you can still move it quickly if needed. For fine adjustments rotate the turns of line on the tiller for micro adjustments. I used this system to steer the boat while I deployed my conventional spinnaker single handed. I would adjust it to a straight ahead setting and could then adjust the steering by moving from side to side on the bow.
Parsons,
I'll see how well my shock cord works out that's cleated to the stern cleats and a wrap on the tiller. The Tiller Tamer looks like a more sure-way which I may install.
My Hunter 216 is a year 2009 with the rudder pod on ball bearings, making it too responsive IMHO.
Thanks,
Alan Backus
I'll see how well my shock cord works out that's cleated to the stern cleats and a wrap on the tiller. The Tiller Tamer looks like a more sure-way which I may install.
My Hunter 216 is a year 2009 with the rudder pod on ball bearings, making it too responsive IMHO.
Thanks,
Alan Backus
I had that too, and it was probably the least-liked think on the boat. Don't ever go near shallow water without the swing keel lower than the rudder to avoid grounding the thing - it will pop that cassette out of the deck and those little nylon bearings will be everywhere - ask me how I know! That said, the rudder was certainly deep enough and steering was very responsive.
Happy sailing. She's a fun and well-built boat.
I tried the Tiller Tamer but hated it. If I set it with enough friction to hold while sailing it was impossible to make tiny adjustments because when you push hard enough to get it to move, moves too much before it will stop. The three-wraps with a slightly elastic dock line was the best solution. To make small adjustments, do not push on the tiller. Instead, grasp the wraps around the tiller and twist them (like turning the throttle on the outboard) and it will move fractions of a degree.
I am using a Tiller Tamer on my 216 and love it. I leave a bit of resistance on it and the tiller remains where I leave it. I can lock it off if I go forward to deal with something.
You really need something like that when you are alone. I use two short bungee cords attached to the side railings and connected to a 3/8 line with one turn around the tiller. The bungee on each side keeps just enough tension on the tiller so it won't move but I can over ride it just by pulling or pushing on the tiller. It is not perfect, it allows me to raise and lower the sails when I am by myself.
This is what you want for a tiller holder: Tiller Clutch . Its very well made and you lock and unlock it with a flick of your fingers. Worth the money.
I was on a boat over the weekend that had one of these. It seemed great! You can easily make fast, small adjustments.
I have Tillerclutch on mine. I love it. keeps my kick ul rudder out of the way when using my Torqueedo