Over the last three months I've noticed that my tiller was starting to feel sloppy. I removed the tiller and found that the horizontal bolt on which it pivots (so you can tilt it out of the way at anchor) had worn a larger hole in the tiller stock. I came up with a couple of possible fixes: a) fill the hole with epoxy and drill it out afterwards to the right size b) widen the stock aft to make a tighter fit in the tiller housing c) get a new tiller Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance. Peter H23 "Raven"
Sloppy tiller
- Thread starter Wanderer138
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Tiller repair
Hi Peter, I fixed ours by using epoxy and redrilling it out. What I used was a two part Simpson product used for contruction. We had some left from doing an earthquake upgrade and its used to hold tie down bolts into concrete. The stuff is really hard. Just my 2 cents Rob Morton S/V Euphoria
Hi Peter, I fixed ours by using epoxy and redrilling it out. What I used was a two part Simpson product used for contruction. We had some left from doing an earthquake upgrade and its used to hold tie down bolts into concrete. The stuff is really hard. Just my 2 cents Rob Morton S/V Euphoria
Tiller hole
Peter, What I did with mine, was to buy a nylon bushing at home depot, lowes, or true value ( or any hardware store). I took the bolt(the one that goes through your tiller/rudder), with me to make sure that the bolt would fit inside the bushing. I bought the longest one, knowing that I would need to trim it to the width of the rudder's hole. I then drilled the rudder hole out to except the bushing. This will keep the bolt from wearing a larger hole in your rudder. Buy a couple, and if you need to replace it, you'll have a spare. Also, check the inside width of your tiller straps, and then the width of your rudder. Then shim, or trim out, either one to make a tighter fit. Hope this helps you. Jay
Peter, What I did with mine, was to buy a nylon bushing at home depot, lowes, or true value ( or any hardware store). I took the bolt(the one that goes through your tiller/rudder), with me to make sure that the bolt would fit inside the bushing. I bought the longest one, knowing that I would need to trim it to the width of the rudder's hole. I then drilled the rudder hole out to except the bushing. This will keep the bolt from wearing a larger hole in your rudder. Buy a couple, and if you need to replace it, you'll have a spare. Also, check the inside width of your tiller straps, and then the width of your rudder. Then shim, or trim out, either one to make a tighter fit. Hope this helps you. Jay
Thanks again, all
Those were all good suggestions, especially the nylon bushing. Thanks again. Peter H23 "Raven"
Those were all good suggestions, especially the nylon bushing. Thanks again. Peter H23 "Raven"
My boat had the same problem ...
when I bought my boat the bolt hole was really hogged out. I found some bronze bushings at the local tractor supply store - I think they are 3/4" or 1" OD, 1/2" ID - and used three of them,one in the middle, approx 1" long, the two on the ends the same length but with flanges to hold them in place and bear against the outer fitting. Then glued them in place with a little 5200. BIG change in feel and precise steering. It also helped to rebush the rudder gudgeons as well. It is a real good idea to carry a spare bolt and nut for the tiller bolt, for obvious reasons.
when I bought my boat the bolt hole was really hogged out. I found some bronze bushings at the local tractor supply store - I think they are 3/4" or 1" OD, 1/2" ID - and used three of them,one in the middle, approx 1" long, the two on the ends the same length but with flanges to hold them in place and bear against the outer fitting. Then glued them in place with a little 5200. BIG change in feel and precise steering. It also helped to rebush the rudder gudgeons as well. It is a real good idea to carry a spare bolt and nut for the tiller bolt, for obvious reasons.
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