rudder lock and harness tie off

Oliver

.
Mar 16, 2014
114
Oday 25 Bradenton Beach Florida
Need a picture or something about locking the rudder in place while I go up to the bow to fix something, type of knot or something and do you guys ever were a safety harness and tie off incase you fall off. Sorry I'm new.
 

Ward H

.
Nov 7, 2011
3,778
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
I use the same tiller clutch as Brian and tie the line off to the aft cleats. They don't provide the best angle but it works.
Just installed an auto tiller pilot but still use the tiller clutch to lock the tiller from swinging in the slip.
When sailing solo i always wear an inflatable PFD with harness. If going on deck I tie off to the mast of if on the bow I tie to whatever I can and always stay as low as possible.
I mainly try to avoid going on deck.
 

Oliver

.
Mar 16, 2014
114
Oday 25 Bradenton Beach Florida
I use the same tiller clutch as Brian and tie the line off to the aft cleats. They don't provide the best angle but it works.
Just installed an auto tiller pilot but still use the tiller clutch to lock the tiller from swinging in the slip.
When sailing solo i always wear an inflatable PFD with harness. If going on deck I tie off to the mast of if on the bow I tie to whatever I can and always stay as low as possible.
I mainly try to avoid going on deck.
Yes, thought so... how many stories have I not heard of a person falling off and they watching there boat sail away. I jumped in last month, no vest and my warning to the captain was short, the boat was gone out of reach in a second. 2 minutes and he would of lost me and I would of drowned, fish bait as they say. That was the middle of Tampa Bay. That was my initiation per where I'm from. I must say that if you fall off the boat your chances are very low on surviving, better have a vest on, radio, and something sharp for the sharks and something to cut to eat. And I hate these big black dock spiders for real
 
Oct 10, 2009
1,041
Catalina 27 3657 Lake Monroe
My redneck tiller tamer: spare line with a bowline/loop at one end, tied off to a stern cleat or the stern rail. That line runs to the tiller, tied off with a clove hitch. Bungee connects to the loop and runs to the opposite cleat or stern rail. Adjust with the bitter end of the line; the bungee (this is the ingenious part!) allows for the adjustment because it stretches.

I use this all the time.
 
Jan 22, 2008
507
Catalina 310 278 Lyndeborough NH
I have used both the Tiller Tamer and the Tiller Clutch. Both are good. Lately, I have gotten used to the quick ON/OFF feature of the Tiller Clutch. I've been thinking of using a bungie cord instead of the Dacron rope that came with it.

I got to use a Tiller Pilot (~ $500) that actually maintains a compass heading this season. It does make single-handed sailing much easier. But it also feels more like "cheating"!
 
Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
John, I would attach a strong bungee to one side of the Tiller Clutch control line. This would help with the problem of the control line getting slack as the tiller is moved off the centerline.
 

Ward H

.
Nov 7, 2011
3,778
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
I was talking with guy from our marina last week. He has a McGregor, maybe 23'? He ran a line from his tiller to one side, then up to the bow and back down the other side and back to the tiller. The line runs through rings on the life line stanchions and bow pulpit.
This allows him steer from anywhere on deck. Pretty slick!
 
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Likes: CarmenK
Jan 22, 2008
507
Catalina 310 278 Lyndeborough NH
John, I would attach a strong bungee to one side of the Tiller Clutch control line. This would help with the problem of the control line getting slack as the tiller is moved off the centerline.
I will try that!

It just happens that I have a long 1/4" bungee. Thought I would try the single length first.
 
Jan 22, 2008
507
Catalina 310 278 Lyndeborough NH
I was talking with guy from our marina last week. He has a McGregor, maybe 23'? He ran a line from his tiller to one side, then up to the bow and back down the other side and back to the tiller. The line runs through rings on the life line stanchions and bow pulpit.
This allows him steer from anywhere on deck. Pretty slick!
An interesting single-handling trick...