removing tiller and re-drilling ...

[navigateur]

I am not at the boat presently, but when I return next week I would like to address the excessive 'play' at the tiller on my 1980 Catalina 27. the attachment holes have elongated over the years, and the best solution is to drill oversize holes in the cap and stainless tiller fitting. as I recall, there was some concern as how to remove the cap on the rudder-post to have it drilled. there is a bolt through the cap and post, but it wasn't clear to me how to remove the cap. that is, there is an uncertainty as to it's removal and how the rudder post is affixed. removing the cap and watching my rudder slide 30' into the muddy bottom would so 'not make my day'. is it easily removed without concerns?

thanks ...

daniel

 

[Joe]

I'd save that project to your next haulout. There's a drawing in the owner's site, I believe, that may help you. www.catalina27.org Also the headpiece for the rudder is incredibly expensive.... as is a replacement rudder.... wait till the boat is out of the water, then you can dismantle the whole thing and complete any other necessary repairs as they become evident in a safer environment.

 

[Jon_E]

Is the play in the tiller or the rudder? You can remove the tiller while still in the water. If you remove the rudder, Joe is right: wait for the next haul out.

 

[navigateur]

the tiller has excessive play. this drove me crazy on my airplanes (control slop) and is no less disturbing on my boat! I removed the tiller and could see elongation of the existing holes. I wanted to take the cap and tiller bracket to a machine shop and redrill oversized. the cap looked suspicious, and without drawings, caused me to wonder if it was an integral component of keeping the rudder attached! as mentioned, I could block the rudder and judiciously remove the cap. I can't remember, but I think there was a locking collar and a thru-bolt attaching the cap to the post. I've spent the Summer in Europe and return to the boat next week before venturing up to Desolation Sound. I wanted to accomplish this task before leaving.

I appreciate the responses ....

daniel

 

[jrowan]

If it is jst sloppy where the tiller handle attached to the rudder cap, then why not just add some bushings or material to help fill the elongations in the hole, such as leather strips, or rubber to help fill the slack areas. This would be easy to do, & require no drilling. If it doesn't work to your satisfaction, then drill as a last resort. But Joe is right, don't mess with taking off the rudder cap while in the water. I believe that it is an integral component to retaining the rudder at the top of the shaft.

 

[navigateur]

yes, I did add bushings, and though it helped considerably there is still room for improvement. the previous owner didn't sail much and apparently didn't mind moving the tiller through a 12" arc without anything happening! it's quite serviceable now and I might even forget about it as I sail up north. my other consideration was autopilot control and the dynamics would benefit from a stiffer response at the tiller.

cheers ...