Tiller Tamer

[Hawk4661]

Question; What is the best way of placing a "tiller tamer" aboard.I have the stock 1993 metal tiller w/ an extension now.

How and where is the best location for lines?

I appreciate all insight and reccomendations...txs in advance..mark<><

 

[caguy]

Here is a picture of my tiller tamer.

Its kind of difficult to see the angle. It is a little sharper than it appear is in picture.
For a metal tiller you may have to drill and tap for some 10-32 screws.
Frank

 

[Ed Schenck]

Same as Frank, almost.

I have the exact same model as Frank's on my Highlander. But I had to mount it on the bottom since the hiking stick stores on top. Works just as well with the line attached to cleats that are back about eight inches. In other words having the line angled back as seen in Frank's picture works just fine.

 

[VT Fitz]

Cajun Tiller Tamer

Check out this link for an oldie-but-goodie: The Cajun Tiller Tamer!

http://www.blumhorst.com/potterpages/Photopoint/0005/cajun-tiller-tamer.htm

It's cheap & easy, works fairly well, & involves no drilling!

I had a Davis Tiller Tamer on my previous boat with a more traditional cockpit, not the open, sugar-scoop transom H23.5. Worked like a dream! To be candid, however, I see no easy or elegant way to install the same tamer without seriously compromising the open flow of the stern or being able to get the correct angle for installation.

If, however, you are determined to install one, I'd use stanchion/rail cleats spread apart as far as possible on the stern rail. Then you'd either have to tap some holes into the tiller for the tamer or through-bolt the installation.

For my money, I've had good enough service out of the Cajun variety, tying off to the stern cockpit cleats. No matter how good the apparatus, however, they all are only useful for very brief periods of hands-off steering -- just to duck down below for a drink or a quick grab of equipment. For any more extensive reason to leave the helm, it would be wise to heave-to. Tamers are by no means self-steering systems. Plus, as soon as you move around on a boat our size, the redistribution of weight causes the course to change, and the tamer won't be able to correct course. So, again, we just go with the quick & easy Cajun tamer.

 

[Hawk4661]

Re: Here is a picture of my tiller tamer.

XX pic guy thanks for ypur help. I was out in San Diego last year during fire storm...love that city/Ca.

 

[Hawk4661]

Re: Cajun Tiller Tamer

Thanks Kevin....until I go to 'auto helm".
I had better try the cajun trick. Im going out, this afternoon in 42 degree weather,to step my mast and work on reefing,and rudder lefting operation expiementataion.The wed site is awesome info.Wind is about dead calm today.

 

[Paul J. Rusyniak]

I've used the Cajun Tiller Tamer on two boats and cannot imagine why I'd want to spend boat bucks on anything fancier or more complicated.
Paul

 

[Hawk4661]

Thank you Paul..I must agree simplicity often is hard to beat..lol

 

[Dick1505]

Another alternative. Check WM if you are using a tiller extention. Search "Tiller Lock Box." I used one on a H26 untill I got a Sinrad tiller pilot.

 

[caguy]

Tried the cajun tamer for awhile but I do like my Tiller Tamer better. I like being able to adjust the friction. I use it when I need to make frequent corrections. For the long run down thw channel I use the autotiller. I am able to do things on the boat such as hanking on the jib, raising the main, and taking a pee, on my way out to the open water. While foward on deck I can control the Tillermaster with a small handheld wireless car remote that I hooked up. I will write that mod up soon. Right now the sun is out and the winds are good so I'm going sailing. FrankFrank

 

[VT Fitz]

Difficult Installation

Frank, I agree with you completely. On my previous boat, I loved the tiller tamer. However, with the open cockpit/transom design of the Hunter 23.5, there is no easy or good way to install the tamer with cleats at the proper angles for the lines without seriously impairing the traffic flow or access to the swim ladder or outboard well. I'm not familiar with the Mac 25, so I don't know if it has the similar limitations as the H23.5 in this regard.


Believe me, I really wanted to install one, but I just can't see a way to make it worth the trade-offs.

 

[steve stark]

Kevin/Frank,
If you have catbird seats, as we do on our h26, you can use a railmount cleat on the port vertical seat support. Tie off one end of the tiller tamer bridle to the starboard vertical seat support with a hitch, and take a couple of wraps of the other end of the bridle around the cleat on the port vertical seat support. This allows a quick disconnect of the bridle for access to the ladder. I mount the cleat on the side of the vertical seat support toward the end of the coaming so as to not hook the cleat with shorts when going through to the ladder.

 

[Rick Macdonald]

I use this, mounted underneath the alluminum tiller:

http://www.cansail.com/

Do you have stern rail seats? I do, so I just tie each end of the line to the vertical supports of the seats. One end is fixed with the knot of your choice, but the other end I use a taut-line hitch so that it is easily adjustable. I adjust it slack or remove it when swimming.

 

[Bilgewater]

On my Hunter 26 I bought a tiller tamer from Duckworks online magazine and like it very much. It's a Swedish design that mounts under the tiller, and works on tension when lifting the tiller up. Pull up a little to help with steering, pull a lot and go below for a cold one. The lines run aft under the stantions, out of the way. From the Duckworks website look under hardware, steering, tiller tamer.