Have any of you used a tiller tamer. They have them at West Marine but I have never seen one on a boat. Now I just tie my tiller when I need to tend my sails or to leave the cockpit for any reason. I sail alone quit a bit and would like to have another opinion before I buy one. Can't be too much to them as they are relatively inexpensive. Your comments would be appreciated.
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John
Been using one for years and love it. My tamer has has performed very well with almost no maintenance for well over 5 years. Since a boat will be effected by varying winds and shifts, any such device will not hold a perfect course for a long period of time, but you can head to the foredeck or below for any needs with little concern if the winds are relatively calm. It gives the single hander a chance to take care of things that would be difficult or impossible otherwise and provides flexibility over your current method. Plan to replace the tamer line periodically. May want to check your tiller cover to see that there is room for the thing and the availability of cleats, etc. to attach the line when in use.
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R.W.Landau
I was not happy with the Davis
So three years ago I designed and built my own that I can not live without as I single hand most of the time in relatively close areas. When single handing, I need something to hold the tiller when I go forward. But when I come back, I need to be able to steer. The Davis broke the first time I used it. I leaned against the rope and the plastic side popped off.I rebuilt it using aluminum to replace the plastic sides, but suffered occasional jams in the wheel of the original unit. Two of those jams were at the dock. That was it, I single hand even with my wife aboard. I can't afford the jams. I made my own tiller brake. I contacted Shaffer and Harkin to see about possible marketing with no response. r.w.landau
So three years ago I designed and built my own that I can not live without as I single hand most of the time in relatively close areas. When single handing, I need something to hold the tiller when I go forward. But when I come back, I need to be able to steer. The Davis broke the first time I used it. I leaned against the rope and the plastic side popped off.I rebuilt it using aluminum to replace the plastic sides, but suffered occasional jams in the wheel of the original unit. Two of those jams were at the dock. That was it, I single hand even with my wife aboard. I can't afford the jams. I made my own tiller brake. I contacted Shaffer and Harkin to see about possible marketing with no response. r.w.landau
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Roger
No autotiller, but...
I installed one when I got the boat two years ago, as I have not yet been able to scrape together the boat units to get and install an autotiller. I do a lot of singlehanded day sailing, and I find that if the wind is steady and you get the sails balanced, setting the tiller tamer releases me to move about the boat aned tend to various and sundry details, yet stay on course for five to ten minutes at a time. Of course you have to keep a close eye on any nearby traffic or hazards. But sometimes it is nice to put on my PFD and tether (even in calm waters if alone) and go sit up on the deckhouse for a change of scene! I have jam cleats set on the vertical sides of the cockpit, and setting ithe tiller tamer requires a little contortionism, but not bad. I have gotten my small investment back in freedom many times over. Maybe this year I will get that autotiller, though...
I installed one when I got the boat two years ago, as I have not yet been able to scrape together the boat units to get and install an autotiller. I do a lot of singlehanded day sailing, and I find that if the wind is steady and you get the sails balanced, setting the tiller tamer releases me to move about the boat aned tend to various and sundry details, yet stay on course for five to ten minutes at a time. Of course you have to keep a close eye on any nearby traffic or hazards. But sometimes it is nice to put on my PFD and tether (even in calm waters if alone) and go sit up on the deckhouse for a change of scene! I have jam cleats set on the vertical sides of the cockpit, and setting ithe tiller tamer requires a little contortionism, but not bad. I have gotten my small investment back in freedom many times over. Maybe this year I will get that autotiller, though...
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Bob Camarena
Try this
Run a continuous line from your tiller, outside your stanchions around your mast and back to your tiller on the other side. You can adjust it so that there's enough friction in the system to hold the tiller in place in normal conditions and you can alter course while at the mast. I used to do this when single handing a Catalina 27. If you attach the line to your tiller with simple loops or clove hitches, it's easy to attach and detach.
Run a continuous line from your tiller, outside your stanchions around your mast and back to your tiller on the other side. You can adjust it so that there's enough friction in the system to hold the tiller in place in normal conditions and you can alter course while at the mast. I used to do this when single handing a Catalina 27. If you attach the line to your tiller with simple loops or clove hitches, it's easy to attach and detach.
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Deane Reichow
Works Fine
I use a tiller tamer on a 23.5 and it works fine. There is some play in it so it doesn't hold a course for a long time. It is particulaly useful sailing single handed as you can shove the tiller over to come about and have both hands free for handling jib sheets. When the turn is complete, just pull the tiller back to the center position. The tamer will hold the tiller in any position you set it, and implecit above, can be turned while the tamer is in use.
I use a tiller tamer on a 23.5 and it works fine. There is some play in it so it doesn't hold a course for a long time. It is particulaly useful sailing single handed as you can shove the tiller over to come about and have both hands free for handling jib sheets. When the turn is complete, just pull the tiller back to the center position. The tamer will hold the tiller in any position you set it, and implecit above, can be turned while the tamer is in use.
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Jim A
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David Walters
Kinda a pain
I also use one on my Beneteau First 235. I works fine for going forward or below when under power, but I would'nt trust it while under sail. Of course, balancing the sailplan can help that too :>). My biggest problem with the tamer is the space the lines take away from the cockpit. On a small boat, I need all the cockpit room I can get. The lines that run from the tiller to the aft pulpits on my boat make getting to the outboard on starboard cumbersome, and the port line effectively removes room for one more person. I'm looking at modifying it so that the lines run down to the seat fronts. Since I usually only want it locked in the centered position, this should remove all but a tripping concern. If i could get enough purchase, I'd install something along the transom, under the tiller arm that could be tightened and loosened similar to a wheel brake. link photo is of another boat but my setup is similar.
I also use one on my Beneteau First 235. I works fine for going forward or below when under power, but I would'nt trust it while under sail. Of course, balancing the sailplan can help that too :>). My biggest problem with the tamer is the space the lines take away from the cockpit. On a small boat, I need all the cockpit room I can get. The lines that run from the tiller to the aft pulpits on my boat make getting to the outboard on starboard cumbersome, and the port line effectively removes room for one more person. I'm looking at modifying it so that the lines run down to the seat fronts. Since I usually only want it locked in the centered position, this should remove all but a tripping concern. If i could get enough purchase, I'd install something along the transom, under the tiller arm that could be tightened and loosened similar to a wheel brake. link photo is of another boat but my setup is similar.
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MArk
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Mike
Best inexpensive gadget I ever bought
I have the Davis tiller tamer on my Oday 23, and I love the thing. I put it in last year, and it makes single-handing a breeze. Its not an autopilot and if your boat has significant weather helm, it might not be right for you. but for 20-something bucks, its tough to go wrong. I mounted it on the underside of my curved tiller and put two cam cleats on the top edge of the transom to hold the control lines. the lines do not take up any appreciable space in the cockpit. Even if I'm with others, it frees my hand to eat, drink, etc. for short periods. On one nice day, I let it steer for about 15 minutes; held the course as well as I could have. there are lots of different models available if you don't like the Davis, including some I found on the internet made of brass and other fancy materials. Check the archives of this site for some ideas.
I have the Davis tiller tamer on my Oday 23, and I love the thing. I put it in last year, and it makes single-handing a breeze. Its not an autopilot and if your boat has significant weather helm, it might not be right for you. but for 20-something bucks, its tough to go wrong. I mounted it on the underside of my curved tiller and put two cam cleats on the top edge of the transom to hold the control lines. the lines do not take up any appreciable space in the cockpit. Even if I'm with others, it frees my hand to eat, drink, etc. for short periods. On one nice day, I let it steer for about 15 minutes; held the course as well as I could have. there are lots of different models available if you don't like the Davis, including some I found on the internet made of brass and other fancy materials. Check the archives of this site for some ideas.
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Bruce Trotter
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Bob
It's not too esthetic, but
my redneck special works OK for me. I drilled a quarter inch hole in the end of the tiller, and inserted a 2" loop of braided line - about shoestring size. A bungee of appropriate length hooks that loop at one end and the traveler or hatch lip at the other. The spring load of the bungee can easily be overcome if it becomes necessary, and the adjustment is infinite. On my previous boat I could recline with one foot on the bridgedeck and the bungee between two toes and steer with very slight foot pressure. Wouldn't recommend it for racing, but it leaves both hands free for dining on roast possum under glass, or whatever.
my redneck special works OK for me. I drilled a quarter inch hole in the end of the tiller, and inserted a 2" loop of braided line - about shoestring size. A bungee of appropriate length hooks that loop at one end and the traveler or hatch lip at the other. The spring load of the bungee can easily be overcome if it becomes necessary, and the adjustment is infinite. On my previous boat I could recline with one foot on the bridgedeck and the bungee between two toes and steer with very slight foot pressure. Wouldn't recommend it for racing, but it leaves both hands free for dining on roast possum under glass, or whatever.
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