Tiller Extension for an O'Day Widgeon

[MarkK]

Hello All,

I have restored a 1969 O'Day Widgeon, made some nice upgrades, but have not sailed her alone yet as it seems to be a "reach" to control the jib sheets and the tiller together.

Does anyone have any experience or recommendations regarding adding a TILLER EXTENSION?

I have e-mail Rudy Nickerson @ DR Marine, but wanted to get some more feedback prior to making the plunge...

Type, Models, Features to look for, avoid?

I'd appreciate any feedbak.

Thank you.

I have e-mail Rudy Nickerson

 

[Sunbird22358]

Well, when I had my 1969 WIDGEON, I purchased a nice little tiller extension at WEST Marine for about $15.00..... Never did see another bargain like that! I now use it on my DS II. Anyway, the one that I have uses a flexible "rubber" conection to the tiller, sort-of like a flex-shaft. It (the connection) is made by RONSTAN marine and it is available at many marine stores that sell sailboat stuff. The extension is really just a legnth of aluminum tubing (about 1/2" diam) that the end of the connector slips into and is pinned. The outer end of the extensio has a 1 1/2 " diam rubber ball, but some use a golf club grip.
Most store-bought tiller extensions cost in the $50.00+ range, well worth it... but stil lkind of pricey. I actually made a tiller extension for use on another small sailboat, it was a 2-3' length of PVC pipe (1/2" diam) with a rubber chair-leg (or crutch) tip on the outer end, and it attached to the tiller with a small loop of bungee-cord. I still have that one as well and could take a picture of it this weekend for detail. I used it on a sailing dinghy....but also on our CAL 21!
I'll also take a picture of the mounting part for the extension from my DS II. I'll post them later this week.

By the way, if you would like a copy of an expanded Owners Manual for the WIDGEON ,let me know.

I think you and your son will REALLY enjoy that WIDGEON! I miss my Widgeon at times, yet wouldn't trade my DS II for one at the moment!