Has anyone with outboard propulsion used their tiller to steer as opposed to steering the outboard? This past W.E. I worked desparately to steer my 25' with the outboard motor. Airplanes have fixed propellars, why not fix the outboard and steer with the tiller? I'm interested in trying this but just thought about it sitting at my desk! Any anecdotes appreciated.
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tiller steering
Do it all the time. Only use the outboard to steer with if it gets dicey entering or exiting my slip. If you have room it's no problem. Just remember, you have to have forward or reverse motion for the rudder to work.
Do it all the time. Only use the outboard to steer with if it gets dicey entering or exiting my slip. If you have room it's no problem. Just remember, you have to have forward or reverse motion for the rudder to work.
Tried it last night.
I finally installed the motor board on my Highlander. I have a tiller tamer so it was easiest to fix the tiller and steer with the motor. I did test your idea and the boat does steer better and quicker with the rudder. But I am not sure how best to secure the motor. This little 12 pound "Cruise n'Carry" does not have any kind of lock that I can see.
I finally installed the motor board on my Highlander. I have a tiller tamer so it was easiest to fix the tiller and steer with the motor. I did test your idea and the boat does steer better and quicker with the rudder. But I am not sure how best to secure the motor. This little 12 pound "Cruise n'Carry" does not have any kind of lock that I can see.
Tiller Steer
With my Venture 22 I used the rudder for steering while under Outboard power all the time. I had the motor fixed for straight thrust and used the tiller to steer. Much easier that reaching over the back to use the outboard. I used them in combination sometimes when coming in to dock. By directing the outboard thrust to port or starboard could really turn quickly.
With my Venture 22 I used the rudder for steering while under Outboard power all the time. I had the motor fixed for straight thrust and used the tiller to steer. Much easier that reaching over the back to use the outboard. I used them in combination sometimes when coming in to dock. By directing the outboard thrust to port or starboard could really turn quickly.
Only way to fly
I have a 25.5, and I think is much more responsive (not to mention a pain in the ass using the OB steering) using the tiller in forward motion. However, I like the OB in reverse because of the slower speed gives good response! Mike
I have a 25.5, and I think is much more responsive (not to mention a pain in the ass using the OB steering) using the tiller in forward motion. However, I like the OB in reverse because of the slower speed gives good response! Mike
Steering
IN our 14 years with both our C22 & C25 we only used the motor to steer in addition to the tiller when entering slips, as noted above. {Oh, I forgot: when we lost the rudder and the tiller overboard on the C22 I had to use the engine to go back and pick them up!) What I found is that by using only the tiller we got a "big boat" feel. Once you learn to steer without the "power assist" of moving the engine, and just using the rudder, you are learning to steer based on how the boat is working, and that's really important to know. Anyway, you don't have the engine going when sailing, so why not use just the rudder even when the engine's on? Position or lock the engine in a neutral setup so that the boat's going ahead straight and then just use the tiller. Stu PS I agree, VERY useful and sometimes necessary, in reverse. There's a reason for that: outboard props are not designed to be good in reverse, because they are so rarely used for that. Remember also that many outboards have been modified to have "sailboat" props. I gotta admit I've forgotten the differences, but it did help on our C22 and C25.
IN our 14 years with both our C22 & C25 we only used the motor to steer in addition to the tiller when entering slips, as noted above. {Oh, I forgot: when we lost the rudder and the tiller overboard on the C22 I had to use the engine to go back and pick them up!) What I found is that by using only the tiller we got a "big boat" feel. Once you learn to steer without the "power assist" of moving the engine, and just using the rudder, you are learning to steer based on how the boat is working, and that's really important to know. Anyway, you don't have the engine going when sailing, so why not use just the rudder even when the engine's on? Position or lock the engine in a neutral setup so that the boat's going ahead straight and then just use the tiller. Stu PS I agree, VERY useful and sometimes necessary, in reverse. There's a reason for that: outboard props are not designed to be good in reverse, because they are so rarely used for that. Remember also that many outboards have been modified to have "sailboat" props. I gotta admit I've forgotten the differences, but it did help on our C22 and C25.
Tiller forward, both reverse
I have a Cal 20, and my slip is in a very congested area. When I'm backing out into the channel, I steer using both the tiller and motor together. (This is a pretty clumsy operation, but I don't get the tight reverse turn I need using either one alone.) Then, when the boat's pointed about right in the channel, I set the engine to idle, lock the outboard in the center position (there's a wingnut screw that does this), switch the engine to forward, and steer the rest of the way forwards using just the tiller. I find the tiller superior when going forwards, but insufficient for reverse - which my boat doesn't seem to like doing anyway: something to do with a flat transom versus a pointed bow, I suppose. The chandlery is selling a Garhauer Power Thruster, that looks like it might help. Has anyone tried this? Dick
I have a Cal 20, and my slip is in a very congested area. When I'm backing out into the channel, I steer using both the tiller and motor together. (This is a pretty clumsy operation, but I don't get the tight reverse turn I need using either one alone.) Then, when the boat's pointed about right in the channel, I set the engine to idle, lock the outboard in the center position (there's a wingnut screw that does this), switch the engine to forward, and steer the rest of the way forwards using just the tiller. I find the tiller superior when going forwards, but insufficient for reverse - which my boat doesn't seem to like doing anyway: something to do with a flat transom versus a pointed bow, I suppose. The chandlery is selling a Garhauer Power Thruster, that looks like it might help. Has anyone tried this? Dick
Hey!
I was taught in my keelboat class to use both in tandem on a Catalina 22, and while I have gotten very adept at getting in & out of the slip this way, I have developed a hell of a stiff neck holding onto both while motoring in & out of Cedar Creek. I didn't know you could lock the engine in position! I feel dopey now,
I was taught in my keelboat class to use both in tandem on a Catalina 22, and while I have gotten very adept at getting in & out of the slip this way, I have developed a hell of a stiff neck holding onto both while motoring in & out of Cedar Creek. I didn't know you could lock the engine in position! I feel dopey now,
Most engines should have enough
friction that they shouldn't turn unless hard pressed. There's not necessarily a "lock" per se, but the friction adjustment should allow it to stay in one place. Most motors have these friction adjusters. Stu
friction that they shouldn't turn unless hard pressed. There's not necessarily a "lock" per se, but the friction adjustment should allow it to stay in one place. Most motors have these friction adjusters. Stu
I thought that was the way to do it? ;D
I owned a Catalina 25 for four years and that was the only way I steered it. Set the steering tension tight on the OB and use the boat's tiller. I used both together for tighter steering maneuverability.
I owned a Catalina 25 for four years and that was the only way I steered it. Set the steering tension tight on the OB and use the boat's tiller. I used both together for tighter steering maneuverability.
Watch out for the rudder chopper.
Using only the rudder works great on my 212. If the current or wind is pushing too much in close quarters I use both. One thing to note: Having a swing keel and a pivoting rudder, I do sometimes motor in shallow water (less than 2 feet). With the rudder pivoted up, it would be possible to push the rudder into the prop. If that happened, I think the prop would win.
Using only the rudder works great on my 212. If the current or wind is pushing too much in close quarters I use both. One thing to note: Having a swing keel and a pivoting rudder, I do sometimes motor in shallow water (less than 2 feet). With the rudder pivoted up, it would be possible to push the rudder into the prop. If that happened, I think the prop would win.
Try this
If the water isn't too choppy, set the outboard and tiller so that they balance out. I use a bungee cord from the end of the tiller to the cockpit traveler. Once the boat is running true by itself, try steering by shifting your weight. I can stand in the companionway and lean left or right to make the boat go the other way. I don't think this works on the Carnivale.
If the water isn't too choppy, set the outboard and tiller so that they balance out. I use a bungee cord from the end of the tiller to the cockpit traveler. Once the boat is running true by itself, try steering by shifting your weight. I can stand in the companionway and lean left or right to make the boat go the other way. I don't think this works on the Carnivale.
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