Tiller Bracket for O'day 22

[Rich]

I'm just about to own a 1975 O'day 22--the current owner is giving her to me as a mercy adoption (his new wife hates his old, neglected boat). Anyway, among other things that I'm going to need to replace/repair/restore, the current tiller is all wood, forked at the rudder head and attached by a pivot bolt (old phillips screwdriver currently there now). Rather than making a new forked wooden tiller, I'm thinking a less stress prone fix replacement would attach to the rudder head by means of stainless steel or aluminum brackets/plates bolted onto the tiller (instead of a wooden fork) and pivoting on a bolt through the rudder head. I've seen similar brackets on other boats--even some newer, larger O'days. Anyone know if these things exist in an "off the shelf"/"stock" form or am I going to get them custom made? Any links for retailers would be greatly appreciated?

 

[Ben Bishop]

Call Rudy

Call Rudy at D

 

[Mike Wright]

Tiller Bracket

I have purchased a 1979 oday 22 recently that has the same set-up that you are describing. Mine is made out of 1/4 inch flat stock aluminum that is about 1/2 inch by 5 inches long. The tiller end is sandwiched between the two plates and is secured with stainless bolts and lock nuts.The only thing to watch out for is when the tiller loosens up due to wear the aluminum plates rub on the fiberglass and will wear the gelcoat.

 

[Josh]

Fashion it yourself?

I've got the wooden tiller as well, but it doesn't bother me. I actually like it. Needs to be cleaned up and maybe repaired a bit, but the more wood the better if you ask me. Apart from asthetics, it seems to work fine. Never thought it would cause any problems, unless of course it snaps. But whats to prevent metal from bending?Anyways, you could go to your local hardware store and get some sheet stock to fashion something yourself. It wouldn't take much more then a drill and hacksaw to fashion it into what you wanted. If you can't find what you want, make it!If you think the wood is prone to stress, did you ever think about getting say half inch wide by eighth inch thick strips of steel and reinforcing the wooden diller? Depending on how strong you wanted it to be you could get from one two three foot sections. You could drill small holes through the tiller and at the same place on the strips. Then through bolt the reinforcement strips onto the tiller.Josh