sEVERAL YEASR BACK i PURCHASED A 26 FT ODAY WITH TILLER STEERING AND WAS TOLD BY THE PO THAT IT WAS BEST TO LASH THE TILLER IN THE CENTER POSITION WHILE ON THE MOORING AND AWAY FROM THE BOAT. lAST YEAR WE LOST THE TILLER AND RUDDER IN A NASTY BLOW WHILE ON THE HOOK, I HAVE TO WONDER IF THE LASHING IN THE CENTER POSITION HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS. ANY ONE HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS?
- Status
tiller position
I always did the same with my ODay 22, which lived on a mooring, and my ODay 28 while at anchor, on the theory that the boat would dance less. no matter what position, the tiller has to be fixed, or the rudder will destroy itself. I do know that extreme conditions can really put a strain on whatever you use to lash the tiller-maybe some substantial bungee cords would be best. At least they would absorb some shock. Although the current boat has a wheel and lives in a slip, I always leave the rudder locked amidships for the same reason-minimize dancing. I will look with interest at other postings. Bill Coxe, O40, New London, CT
I always did the same with my ODay 22, which lived on a mooring, and my ODay 28 while at anchor, on the theory that the boat would dance less. no matter what position, the tiller has to be fixed, or the rudder will destroy itself. I do know that extreme conditions can really put a strain on whatever you use to lash the tiller-maybe some substantial bungee cords would be best. At least they would absorb some shock. Although the current boat has a wheel and lives in a slip, I always leave the rudder locked amidships for the same reason-minimize dancing. I will look with interest at other postings. Bill Coxe, O40, New London, CT
Lashings probably helped
I would bet that whatever lashings you had on your tiller made your rudder stay attached longer than it would have without them. If you don't immobilize your rudder, the rudder will constantly move, and in heavy weather, will bash itself against its stops (or the transom if it is transom-hung). Damage or loss is common. I use a tiller tamer on my Oday 23 to keep the rudder amidships; before buying the tiller tamer, I used a sail tie and bungee cord. I would fit the tiller through the loop in the end of the sail tie, and tie the other end of the sail tie to a point on the beam of the boat (the most forward point of the base of the stern pulpit). On the opposite side of the boat, I would then hook the end of a bungee cord into the loop of the sail tie (the same loop that is holding the end of the tiller), then affix the other end of the bungee to the other side of the stern pulpit. This setup allowed the tiller to swing a little bit in both directions, but not very far. Another way to do this with bungees would be to use one of those plastic cable ties. Get one big enough to encircle your tiller; put it around your tiller, but leave enough room so that you can hook a bungee onto either side. Hook the bungees in, and then affix the other ends of the bungees to opposite points on the beam of your boat. Plenty of shock absorbing capability.
I would bet that whatever lashings you had on your tiller made your rudder stay attached longer than it would have without them. If you don't immobilize your rudder, the rudder will constantly move, and in heavy weather, will bash itself against its stops (or the transom if it is transom-hung). Damage or loss is common. I use a tiller tamer on my Oday 23 to keep the rudder amidships; before buying the tiller tamer, I used a sail tie and bungee cord. I would fit the tiller through the loop in the end of the sail tie, and tie the other end of the sail tie to a point on the beam of the boat (the most forward point of the base of the stern pulpit). On the opposite side of the boat, I would then hook the end of a bungee cord into the loop of the sail tie (the same loop that is holding the end of the tiller), then affix the other end of the bungee to the other side of the stern pulpit. This setup allowed the tiller to swing a little bit in both directions, but not very far. Another way to do this with bungees would be to use one of those plastic cable ties. Get one big enough to encircle your tiller; put it around your tiller, but leave enough room so that you can hook a bungee onto either side. Hook the bungees in, and then affix the other ends of the bungees to opposite points on the beam of your boat. Plenty of shock absorbing capability.
tHANKS FOR THE INPUT, i HAVE BEEN USING A LINE LASHED TO THE TILLER AND THEN CLEATED OFF TO THE 2 STERN CLEATS AVAILABLE. yOUR SUGGESTION ABOUT THE TILLER TAMER IS A GOOD ONE AS I SAIL SOLO QUITE OFTEN AND AM LWAYS LASHING THE TILLER IN PLACE WITH NO LONG TERM SUCCESS. IS THE TILLER TAMER A WORKABLE DEVICE FOR LEAVING THE COCKPIT FOR MORE THAN A FEW SECONDS.
Tiller tamer
I have found the tiller tamer to be the best $25 gadget I ever bought. It depends on the sailing conditions, but there have been times when I left the tiller untouched for 20 minutes at a time. The sails have to be balanced and the sea state not rough enough to throw the boat off course, but it was a beautiful thing to sit there and watch my boat sail itself. Many's the time I have used the tamer while soloing to go below for a couple of minutes and attend to other business.
I have found the tiller tamer to be the best $25 gadget I ever bought. It depends on the sailing conditions, but there have been times when I left the tiller untouched for 20 minutes at a time. The sails have to be balanced and the sea state not rough enough to throw the boat off course, but it was a beautiful thing to sit there and watch my boat sail itself. Many's the time I have used the tamer while soloing to go below for a couple of minutes and attend to other business.
Lash Tiller Amidship
I have a 23 O'day that I purchased in 1988 and always lashed the tiller amidship when I was leaving it on the mooring. Two years ago I purchased a 26 and also lash the tiller amidship while on the mooring. I did have damage to the rudder a couple of months ago during a big blow. The attachment point to the rudder snapped and left me with a big chunk of fiberglass missing. I might add that my mooring is in relatively shallow water and as it happened the tide was lower than normal during the blow. I expect that I was sitting on the bottom and the torque from the boat turning into the wind was transferred thru the rudder to the tiller handle. This is the first and only problem I have had being on the same mooring for 18 years. Despite the damage I will continue to lash the rudder.
I have a 23 O'day that I purchased in 1988 and always lashed the tiller amidship when I was leaving it on the mooring. Two years ago I purchased a 26 and also lash the tiller amidship while on the mooring. I did have damage to the rudder a couple of months ago during a big blow. The attachment point to the rudder snapped and left me with a big chunk of fiberglass missing. I might add that my mooring is in relatively shallow water and as it happened the tide was lower than normal during the blow. I expect that I was sitting on the bottom and the torque from the boat turning into the wind was transferred thru the rudder to the tiller handle. This is the first and only problem I have had being on the same mooring for 18 years. Despite the damage I will continue to lash the rudder.
CHARLES, I BELIEVE THAT YOU AND I GOT HIT IN THE SAME W/END BLOW THIS PAST FALL,I WENT TO CHECK ON THE BOAT AND HAPPENED TO SEE THAT THE TILLER WAS STANDING STRAIT UP OFF THE STERN. SO W/OUT MUCH ADO I JUMPED INTO THE DINK AND OUT I WENT.I WAS ABLE TO RESCUE THE DAMN THING AND BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES,I HAD CALLED MY PARTNER AND TOLD HER I WAS GOING OUT SO SHE CAME DOWN TO MAKE SURE I WAS OK, THANKFULLY THE DINK MADE THE TRIP BOTH WAYS W/OUT SINKING, I WAS TAKING ON QUITE A BIT OF WATER ON THE WAY OUT AS THE SEAS WERE COMING OVER THE BOW. I KNOW THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE WENT OUT BUT AS I POSTED I HAD READY SPENT 1100.00 ON A NEW SET UP THE YEAR BEFORE.THIS TIME THE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE PINTLES AND I GUESS ITS WISE TO CHANGE OUT THE GUDGEONS AS WELL, A LITTLE SANDING ON THE TILLER WITH A FEW COATS OF BRISTOL FINISH AND I'LL BE READY FOR ANOTHER SEASON. NEVER A DULL MOMENT WHEN IT COMES TO BOATING.I WENT TO A PARTY FOR NEW YEARS AND THE HOST WAS OR STILL IS A POWER BOATER AS I LISTENED TO HIM AND A FEW OTHERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PRICE OF GAS AND REPAIRS,ALL I COULD SAY IS THAT I HAD THROWN AWAY MY FIRST AND ONLY TANK AT THE END OF THE SEASON.WITH MOST OR ALL MY REPAIRS KEPT IN HOUSE.
Tiller extension
I have a 23 O'Day and a few years ago I installed a tiller extension. During single hand sailing I have found that I can lock the tiller (more or less) in place by extending the tiller extension against the cockpit coming and locking it in place with a bungee cord between the tiller extension pivot and the stern pulpit. I have found that this keeps the boat on course better and longer than my tiller tamer does. Don't think that I would leave it at a mooring like that though. How are things in CT? I just moved here to VA from New Hartford.
I have a 23 O'Day and a few years ago I installed a tiller extension. During single hand sailing I have found that I can lock the tiller (more or less) in place by extending the tiller extension against the cockpit coming and locking it in place with a bungee cord between the tiller extension pivot and the stern pulpit. I have found that this keeps the boat on course better and longer than my tiller tamer does. Don't think that I would leave it at a mooring like that though. How are things in CT? I just moved here to VA from New Hartford.
CT weather
I can't believe it hasn't snowed here yet. Probably something to do with the fact that I bought everyone in my family ski equipment in the fall. Been warm enough to sail through most of December, if the marina had let us keep the boats in.
I can't believe it hasn't snowed here yet. Probably something to do with the fact that I bought everyone in my family ski equipment in the fall. Been warm enough to sail through most of December, if the marina had let us keep the boats in.
Tiller on mooring
I have owned a 192 and moored it on the Susquehanna for the past three years. I have seen it survived nasty weather, current and flooding on the river a number of times. I always remove the tiller and rudder when I leave "Uff-Da" on th mooring. It has worked for me. I also raise he centerboard. Is this bad parctice?
I have owned a 192 and moored it on the Susquehanna for the past three years. I have seen it survived nasty weather, current and flooding on the river a number of times. I always remove the tiller and rudder when I leave "Uff-Da" on th mooring. It has worked for me. I also raise he centerboard. Is this bad parctice?
Hans
Removing the tiller and rudder is a good thing; it saves wear and tear on the equipment. It is not really feasible to do so on boats much larger than yours. Pulling the rudder up and off my Oday 23 is way too much work for me to do, even on a semi-regular basis.
Removing the tiller and rudder is a good thing; it saves wear and tear on the equipment. It is not really feasible to do so on boats much larger than yours. Pulling the rudder up and off my Oday 23 is way too much work for me to do, even on a semi-regular basis.
26 rudder
I WOULD LOOSE THE RUDDER AND TILLER SET UP IF I WAS TO REMOVE IT EVERY TIME I WENT OUT,THAT IS WHY I AM LOOKING FOR A BETTER WAY.AFTER REDAING THE RESPONSES I FEEL I WILL CONTINUE TO LASH IT AND WILL LOOK INTO A TILLER MATE OR A TILLER TAMER FOR SURE. ON MY LAST BOAT, A 17 FT ODAY DAYSAILOR I DIID REMOVE IT BECAUSE IT WAS EASY TO HANDLE BUT THIS T HING IS BIG,HEAVY AND AWKWARD. THANX AGAIN FOR ALL THE HELP
I WOULD LOOSE THE RUDDER AND TILLER SET UP IF I WAS TO REMOVE IT EVERY TIME I WENT OUT,THAT IS WHY I AM LOOKING FOR A BETTER WAY.AFTER REDAING THE RESPONSES I FEEL I WILL CONTINUE TO LASH IT AND WILL LOOK INTO A TILLER MATE OR A TILLER TAMER FOR SURE. ON MY LAST BOAT, A 17 FT ODAY DAYSAILOR I DIID REMOVE IT BECAUSE IT WAS EASY TO HANDLE BUT THIS T HING IS BIG,HEAVY AND AWKWARD. THANX AGAIN FOR ALL THE HELP
Lashing not the issue
I have a 25 and lost my rudder and tiller in the last storm. It was lashed straight forward. The wave action puts a lot of pressure in the gudgeons and can lift the rudder right off the boat. The bottom gudgeon on my boat broke and the rudder was lifted off the top gudgeon (or vice versa, i am not really sure). If you lash to one side it puts even more pressure on the rudder when the waves kick up. I bought a kick-up replacement rudder to solve this issue, they are too expensive to keep replacing and I, like others, cant be bothered to pull it out after every use.
I have a 25 and lost my rudder and tiller in the last storm. It was lashed straight forward. The wave action puts a lot of pressure in the gudgeons and can lift the rudder right off the boat. The bottom gudgeon on my boat broke and the rudder was lifted off the top gudgeon (or vice versa, i am not really sure). If you lash to one side it puts even more pressure on the rudder when the waves kick up. I bought a kick-up replacement rudder to solve this issue, they are too expensive to keep replacing and I, like others, cant be bothered to pull it out after every use.
I've been lashing my tiller for years, in the same way that you've been doing it, and fortunately I haven't had a problem as of yet. The only difference is, I have a tip up rudder blade. If the water at low tide was deeper, I'd wouldn't bother lifting my rudder blade each time I put her up for the night. I always make sure that the centerboard is always in the up position when I leave her. I've been using a couple of lengths of 5/16" braid ropes with a Bowline at each end, to attach to each of my two stern cleats, and I then center the tiller and take a "round turn" around the tiller in front of the metal stud that is used to attach my autopilot. I then tie two or more "half hitches" on the ropes. I make sure that these ropes are tight so that there is no play in my rudder. Of course, these ropes can dig into a tiller if you don't have chafe protection, so I took a square piece of leather and made a 1/4" hole in the center to fit over the tiller pilot stud. Then I cut the leather to fit so that I could sew it in place under the tiller. The only possible way that pintles and gudgeons could break and cause you to lose a rudder during a severe storm, if it was tied up properly, and I'm sure that you had it tied properly; is that your rudder hit bottom. Even if you had a couple of foot clearance under your rudder at a mean low tide on a good day, just the fierce wave action alone is going to cause your boat to dip up and down, and your rudder will hit bottom, and if the storm occurred during a Spring tide, your rudder is really going to ground out. We really don't know what's under our boats unless we take the time on a hot summer's day and dive down to take a look. I did that a few times in our club's mooring field and found two old steam radiators, a train wheel, and a 1300 lbs mooring block,--all in water that was no more than chest high. My only answer to you is; keep on doing what you're doing, but if you can get a deeper mooring, go for it. Taking your rudder off each time you came in, would be a pain in the butt, and it's not too feasible for a boat that size;-- a day sailer, yes,-- but not for a 26, or even a 222 like mine.
- Status