Tiller Length

[Barnacle-Bill]

I sail on a small Lake where winds usually range from 4-12 mph, and when I have 3-4 passengers with me, the "standard" tiller on my Catalina 22mkII will usually hit some knees, and then I must alert everyone to please move-up.

So my question is - what would be the downside to installing a shorter tiller? I believe the "standard" tiller length is about 45-47", and I was thinking of fabricating a 24-36" long tiller. Is there a reason NOT to do this?

Thanks for your comments!

 

[CCrane2299]

I am interested as well. Mine takes up more cockpit space than I like.

 

[CaptDon01]

4 should be able to comfortably sit ahead of the tiller arc. Teach your passengers to steer the boat while you stand in the compainway. Guests LOVE helping to steer the boat, just be gentle when you bark your commands or they won't want to come back. (MMMMmmmmm....problem solved)

Now, this is the perfect argument why you need, no "have to have" an autopilot and a wireless remote. Because I'll put the boat on autopilot and stand in the compainway with my handy-dandy wireless remote around my neck and I can steer the boat and shoot the breeze with my guests. All I have to do is bark out my commands to not sit on the sheets, and to adjust them "NO!, CLOCKWISE! CLOCKWISE YOU SKALLY-WAG!" as I suggest. :dance:

Don

 

[caguy]

I shorten my tiller on the Mac 25 about a foot and it made a big difference in the cockpit.

 

[Barnacle-Bill]

Well caguy, you make the "compainway" sound like its 9 ft. long (which it isn't on a C22), and my onboard guests are little children (which they aren't). And, adding a autopilot doesn't add more space (just more cost); none of which answers my question. But thanks for your comment - especially "clockwise" - which I add almost on every tack.

 

[jwing]

Pick the length you want and mark it on your tiller with a wrap of tape. Go sailing and control the boat with your hand aft of the tape at all times. Tell us what you think.

 

[boblufkin]

I think you could go down to 40" with no problem. I generally don't hold it at the end anyways.

 

[CharlzO]

Mine is a little shorter than normal already. Granted, I have a lot more cockpit, but the original tiller had already been shaved by the PO, and then we kinda.. broke it off at the rudder post on accident, and had to shorten it again, so it's probably at this point, 8-12 inches shorter already. I don't find it hard to use, but I can see where a longer one would be ideal for heavy weather, just for the extra leverage. That said, tiller extensions, and also more importantly, sails should be trimmed in those instances to relieve that sort of stress anyway. I second what suggestion to wrap some tape and keep your hand behind it. You'll find out if you went too short on your guess soon enough. Always easier to do that, then it is to replace it if you go too far.

 

[CaptDon01]

Might try a Catalina-25 tiller. They have much more curvature to them that would maybe get the tiller up and over some legs. Also attached is a photo of our MK-II with 6 on board going sailing. Friends borrowed our boat for the afternoon. Looks like two sat way aft,(I'm sure that prevented the tiller from going all the way over), the helmsman,(grey haired old guy), and two toward the cabin bulkhead, and one standing in the companionway. Of course with the boat squatting so bad with all the weight in the stern, it probably sailed like a slug, but they seemed like they had a good time when they got back.

Maybe try a wheelbarrow handle to make a shorter tiller as an experiment so you didn't have to cut a tiller down.

Don

 

[Barnacle-Bill]

Great Responses Thank You! I was worried that geometrically I would be doing a "no-no". Haha. Actually, I have been sailing using the last (closest to the rudder) 24" and all is fine! Good idea using the tape method - I used the "mental-tape" method and all was fine. I suppose I was worried about the "torque" and in a gust I couldn't handle the leverage. But sounds like you guys are all good with the concept. Had to laugh CaptDon01 - looks like you had a full-load! OMG! No wonder you got the Remote!

 

[allen-deckard]

you can comfortably shorten your tiller by a foot. I've done it on mine and it works just fine.
You'll notice a little bit more effort is needed to steer but it's not that much and the benefit of the extra cockpit room is noticeable.

Up to you it's a personal preference only downfall is I have to sit a little bit further back to steer sometimes behind the bimi but it's a give and take and again a personal preference. For myself it was worth it haven't noticed any downside that was enough to wish I hadn't done it.

I have 2 tillers one I made out of walnut that's shorter and my original that is teak that is longer so I've used both but prefer my shorter walnut tiller.

Like to add with that foot removed I can swing the tiller 90deg to the side easier for stowage.

 

[trainmanjess]

hello all

on another note.... I lengthened my tiller.... the original teak tiller on my boat was only 28 inches long.... it had deteriorated from all the weather over the years of non use.... when I got my '67 Kittiwake 23' , she had been sitting on a farm next to a barn for 10 years unused... most of the teak had succummed to the weather, and anyplace where hardware was attached to protect the teak it was thicker and more natural...

I looked for a long time on the internet until I found what I wanted.... the new tiller is 48 inches long, with a tiller extension built in... I like the long tiller handle,,, I can sit just about anplace in the cockpit when sailing and steer my boat... I have my boat set up for solo sailing, even though, I always have my crew along... they always seem to find time to sleep when we are sailing.... so I am still solo sailing with them....

sincerely
Jess

 

[ShotgunSlim]

I was having some of the same problems with my knobby knees getting banged up under the original tiller that came with my boat so I went out to the shop and got busy with some red oak and mahogany. I've looked at all those pretty laminated tillers everywhere and decided to build my own, a little longer and with more curve in the end to get it over my knees. I cut my stock oversized, glued up one ply at a time and then shaped it to my liking. It's been one of the best improvements I've done to my boat so far.

 

[Barnacle_Bob]

Beautiful tiller, Shotgun. Looks great and very functional.

 

[Tobydaisy]

Wow Shotgun, I saw a thread a few years back about building your own tiller. Looks like a great winter project. What kind of glue did you use?
Sorry for the thread drift.

 

[ShotgunSlim]

Wow Shotgun, I saw a thread a few years back about building your own tiller. Looks like a great winter project. What kind of glue did you use?
Sorry for the thread drift.[/quote

I use Gorilla Glue for just about everything these days that I don't want to be able to take apart in the future. I keep a spray bottle full of water at hand and moisten each piece of wood before spreading the glue on it. So far, it seems to hold up pretty well but in all fairness, my tiller is stored off the boat and sees maybe 12 days a year of use. I should have probably built two of them to completion and left one out in the weather just to see how it would hold up.

 

[caguy]

Wow Shotgun, I saw a thread a few years back about building your own tiller. Looks like a great winter project. What kind of glue did you use?
Sorry for the thread drift.[/quote

I use Gorilla Glue for just about everything these days that I don't want to be able to take apart in the future. I keep a spray bottle full of water at hand and moisten each piece of wood before spreading the glue on it. So far, it seems to hold up pretty well but in all fairness, my tiller is stored off the boat and sees maybe 12 days a year of use. I should have probably built two of them to completion and left one out in the weather just to see how it would hold up.

I keep mine covered with a Sunbrella sheath and have not had to revarnish in the last 3 years. They are very simple to make and use.