Making a Tiller

[DaveB]

My tiller has some rot where the tiller extension bracket was installed. I'm fairly competent at woodworking and would like to make a new one. Any thoughts on what type of wood would be best? I suppose I also need to consider whether to make it from one solid piece of wood of layers epoxied together.

 

[Rob Morton]

Tiller rebuild

I don't really know what kind of wood would be best, perhaps oak? It would be heavy but strong. I think I would go with a good laminate, it is going to be stronger and not have the warpage that you would with a solid piece of wood. Is it just a little bit of rot? If it is could you just use epoxy and inject it into the area? We have used some stuff, I can't remember the name of it that is designed for rotted wood and it fills it in then can be shaped and worked with.Hope it goes well.Rob h23.5 Euphoria

 

[Bill]

Making a spare tiller

DaveBI made a spare tiller some years ago so I could have a spare and also always have a fresh one to put on when the varnish on the installed one needs work. I used white oak and mahonany strips about 1/4 in thick and laminated them with epoxy. It has held up well without problems. I suppose the best choice would be mahogany and ash. The ash I suspect is stronger than white oak and cost is about the same for either oak or ash. Don't use red oak as it dry rots like crazy.

 

[DaveB]

Thanks

I'll probably use ash and mahonany. I thought I would simply use 3/4 strips since no planing would be required. Once glued I would run the edges through my table saw to get a flat edge down both sides. I could then shape with my band saw then route the edges. Of course this would be followed with sanding and varnish.

 

[John]

Tiller

I made a new tiller using a 2x6 to cut a pattern and laminated 3/16" mahagony strips with west system epoxy.Now I have a nice curved tiller that is stronger than a cut out or straight piece, looks like solid mahagany and with a little care will out last the boat.

 

[DAve Mosley]

Build It!!

Check out my website for the step by step. Go to Rudders 101 link on this site.David Mosleywww.seacats.org