Tiller dropping down

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K

keel_haul

I have an H 240 year 2000. The tiller drops down and rubs along the fiberglass below. It look to me as though the aft end of the tiller should have a bit of metal that would slide around the top of the rudder-post. The aft end of my tiller appears to have a bolt holding about 8 washers but not enoug to reach the top of the rudder-post. The end of the bolt has been rubbing against the side of the rudder-post as it drops down. I just got the boat last year and have worked on other items till now. What should be going on back there? What solutions have been found or should be tried? Thanks for whatever help you can provide. George
 
J

JPDyer

Set screw

George, There should be a set screw at the aft end of the tiller. It sounds like it is either set incorrectly or has sheared off. Mine sheared off. I found the head of the screw behind one of my seat cushions after a sail one day and it took me a while to figure out where it came from. If it's been sheared off, you'll have to remove the tiller from the post to tap out the sheared bolt and replace it with a new one. This bolt does not appear in any of the diagrams in the 240 manual that I have, but it sounds like that is what the problem is for you. Good luck, Jonathan Dyer
 
D

Drew

Ditto

Mine did the same thing - assuming the screw head is not shorn off, back it out until it supports the tiller at the rudder post. Put enough washers on it for support - otherwise, it will bend or break. Good luck. Drew
 
Jan 24, 2008
293
Alerion Express 28 Oneida Lake, NY
I had the same problem with the tiller on my 2001 h260. It got worse when I replaced the butt-hugly aluminum pipe with a laminated wood tiller. The set screw, or anything else, placed between the rudder post and the aft end of the tiller exerts a tremendous amount of pressure on the “system” at that junction. I’m still working on finding just the right hunk of something to put athwartship as far forward of the rudder post as I can. I already have a piece of very thin TEFLON ® to glue under the tiller to ride on top of whatever I eventually come up with. I may just use a piece of wood for now. Paul s/v The Lord Nelson
 
K

keel_haul

Thanks Paul, Drew and Jon

Thanks for the comments. I gather the set-screw was supposed to slide atop the rudder-post. My screw and washers are still in the tiller but I the screw is clearly too short. The head looks worn from chaff but I will try to remove it and fasten a chuck of metal to serve as a slider. I have also asked for a comment from HunterMarine Tech. staff. I will pass on any good feedback here when I get it. There are lots of boats out there and I suspect some others have had the problem. More suggestions my hit here.
 
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