Our emergency tiller was stolen - please help

[cara]

Hi all,

We are relatively new owners of an old boat... a 1984 27' Hunter sloop. Unfortunately, the boat was severely vandalized very early on. They took anything and everything, from dock lines to the auto-pilot to the emergency tiller (and everything in between). They also shredded our jib and left empty beer bottles in the cabin. It was such a bummer.

In any case, we need to replace or re-build the emergency tiller. I've already spoken to the folks at Hunter and they no longer have the specs for the 1984. They suggested I ask Hunter owners for photos and measurements, since I can't imagine anyone would have -- or be willing to sell - an extra one (though i did check Craig's List in the Boston area to see if we could potentially buy back ours from whoever stole it...).

If you have any suggestions, pictures, measurements or anything of the like, I'd be eternally grateful.
Thanks so much,
Cara

 

[Steve Dion]

I think you best bet is to have one of our fellow sailors send some photos and dimensions. They are just steel, so they should be cheap to reproduce.

 

[cara]

Yes, I think you're right. I'm just hoping i can find a friendly 1984 Hunter 27' owner out there who would be willing to send photos and dimensions! thanks, cara

 

[Alan]

As I recall it is nothing more than a pipe that fits in the rudder post with a slot cut for the through bolt. Any kind of handle can be added. Making one should be real easy.

I'll never in my life understand the mentality of people who just vandalize other folks stuff. Stealing at least is understandable but vandalism I just don't get.

 

[ggrizzard]

Pics attached may answer question

There are more if I can find them and I'm not sure of the H27's configuration. Hopefully some of these help.

A quote from a H33 owner: "I still have the stock emergency tiller for my 33, (The part that connects to the vertical post that is about 3" in diameter and connects to the rudder post) and it is a piece of 1.5" pipe about 3.5 ft long with a 70 degree bend in the center to clear the lockers - it is made out of mild steel, and rusts like crazy in the normal marine environment, which is why they are so hard to find."

If you have the 'inspection plate' access to the rudder post and can figure out the rudder connecting "tube" part of the mechanicals, have a shop weld a post (key) to the top part of the tube that matches the opening in the wheel. That was the way Hunter designed it originally on the 30

 

[cara]

Thank you for the photos and diagrams. I have no idea if there's a big difference between the different size boats, but the photo definitely helps. there is so little room between the entry point for the rudder post and the pedestal/wheel, we couldn't figure out how the heck you'd get any leverage in high wind/waves.

i'm hoping someone with a 27' will also post, just so i can verify the correct dimensions.

Thanks again! Cara

 

[Mark Ferrick]

H27 emergency Tiller

hope this helps.

 

[cara]

Thanks for posting these, Mark. It partially helps -- we still need the actual dimensions of the tiller and post. I plan on seeing if i can measure the inside diameter of the post this weekend when we're on the boat, but i don't know if that's all we need.