Strengthening O'day 25/26 tiller

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Dec 11, 2009
165
Oday 26 Central FL
I've had 2 tiller separate at the back where it meets the rudder in just a few years of use. I had a number of other boats and never had a tiller break.

I'm thinking of screwing some bolts down through the back, where it attaches to the rudder, top to bottom. Will that help?

Anyone else have this problem? What's a good fix?

TIA,

John
 
Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
is your tiller a fixed mount or does it swing up and out of the way when not in use?...

a fixed tiller will be more prone to splitting, but either type of mounting can do that.

you are right with the idea of bolting it.

if you take a small forstner bit to countersink the top and bottom of the tiller, deep enough so you can have a "countersink hole" to hide the head and the nut of a #10 bolt, then drill the hole half thru from both sides so you are centered in the countersink area, then insert a long 10-32 bolt (use flat washers both sides) and tighten the nut on the other side of it.... do this a inch in front of and behind the tiller arm mounting bolts.
use pliers to gently break off the extra length of the bolt after tightening the nut (it will break off right at the nut), then retighten the nut.....
then fill the countersink holes with epoxy putty, sand and refinish it....
it will be a lot stronger for a lot longer....
 
Sep 25, 2008
992
Oday 25 Gibraltar
I've never had that problem. As thick and solid and being laminated I can't imagine the tiller breaking. Even a tiller made from a single piece. ??
 
Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
To clarify, the tiller split horizontally at the lamination, it didn't break off.
this usually happens as a result of moisture working its way in thru the mounting hole (pivot hole) and swelling the wood.... then when a little too much down pressure is applied in a rough sea, it will split at the laminations.

if you oversize the pivot bolt hole a couple of bit sizes and then takes some sawdust and mix it with epoxy resin to just barely wet out the sawdust, then pack the hole tightly with it and let it cure...
once it has hardened, use a small bit to pilot drill a new hole directly in the center of the filled cavity (half way thru each side so you get the pilot hole centered on each side).
after working the small bit so the hole goes straight thru, go up a couple of sizes and drill straight thru from one side to the other, the bit should follow the pilot hole..... then drill for the correct size needed for the pivot bolt to pass thru snugly.... and install

this will seal the hole and insure water wont get into the laminate again and cause further problems such as rot.. and make it a bit stronger at the pivot hole area...
it would be a good idea to open the split and get some epoxy in it then clamp it before the modification is done.
 
Dec 11, 2009
165
Oday 26 Central FL
I put some #10 screws in the extra tiller that I have. I'll be at the boat soon and I'll take the broken one home and redo it that way.

Thanks,

John
 
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