Tiller advice

[Jim Stumpf]

While inspecting my Vacationer for this season I found a soft spot in the rudder box. I took my pen knife to it and before I knew it had a large piece of the box laying in the driveway ( large meaning about the size of a silver dollar).

It appears that over the last 2 years water that has run in along the rudder down haul line has collected in the rudder box and rotted it from the in side. I epoxied the entire assembly inside and out during constrution but assume that either the line or maybe the pipe that acts as a tiller stub (per stock Vac. plans) has chaffed away some of the epoxy and let the water into the plywood. If you are building per stock plans I would advise putting in a piece of copper water line or simmilar to create a chase for the down haul line so that any water entering the rudder head is contained and simply runs through the tube and out the bottom of the rudder head.

That being said I have decided to go the tiller route this time around. Two reasons for this change. First after the death of the two fellows up north I would like to seal the tiller hole in the transom so that I will have a fighting chance to bail the boat out if I need to. Second I would like to simplify the whole steering and rudder system.

Anyone else that has gone this route that would like to share their designs I would be grateful for your input. Photos help alot also.

Thanks,

Jim

[Tim Diebert]

Jim. When I first got my boat it has wheel steering. It was very easy to modify the stock design to tiller.

I just sawed off the stub, so it was even stubbier, and added some tiller 'cheeks' and a tiller. Not an ideal fix, but lasted me two seasons.

But, as you say, your stock rudder box is toast, so you could replace the whole thing, basically like stock...but rather modified for a tiller.

Here is the best image I could find that might be of some help to you. The red color is the stock box, then the buff color are the cheeks for the tiller.

http://www.timtone.com/tt/ttphotos/images/DehaanAnnieM1big.jpg

It was a two hour job. I used 1/2" ply for the cheeks, which was nowhere near strong enough. My new rudder has all 3/4" hardwood parts.

On the whole standing water issue, agreed, a bad thing for sure. When I designed my new unit, the down haul is located such that it is mostly external so something like this could not happen.....as well, it simplifies the process. I like simple. You could build something similar to my all solid wood unit, though if you are using the stock mounting points for the rudder box, you will need to design around those parameters.

Closing the transom hole up is a good thing.

As for the tiller location. I like mine to be not too high off the stern deck (Or taffrail if you have one). Angling slightly downward towards the cockpit, that way the usable section of tiller is at a low enough height to be an armrest as well...and high tillers look silly.

The length will be up to you and your style of sailing. I keep mine on the shortish side and use an extension for when I am playing racer boy.

In these boats, because the cockpits are pretty small and the boom is low, I like my tiller to have the ability to raise up and out of the way for tacking etc. Also when I motor I often stand in the cockpit or on the two benches, and that way the tiller is still usable.

I also have holes in my tiller at strategic locations to be able to use lines and bungees to self steer and I also have a steering line (that has an official boaty name I can't remember) that runs forward so I can steer the boat while motoring from the companionway on cold days and from the cabintop for fun. (to freak out motorboaters mostly)

Other than that, be creative and have fun with it. Good luck. I would be happy to help you in any way I can....if required.

[Jim Stumpf]

Thanks Tim,

I am looking for some pictures of salty looking set ups that are heavy enough for the Vacationer. I've already scoped out your set up on your Weekender ( the new set up) and am thinking more along those lines than a modification to stock set up. I need to rethink the stern post arangement and also want to consider a removable system that I can throw in the boat. I need to layout a travler for the lazerette. A "fixed bar" horse or traveler would make a hinged tiller difficult to use but I am concerned that a the loads might be to great for a rope traveler, altough the rest of the running rigging is line isn't it? :?

So many boat projects and so little time.

Thanks,

Jim

[Tim Diebert]

To take mine off, you lock the rudder in the down position, turn a wee stainless 'lock' on the transom and lift the whole shebang right off...walk into the shop and hang it on the wall up high right out of the way. That's why I have been locking the rudder down, so I have something to hang on to to lift it up there. So cool. I have been working on the laz area all week and nothing is in my way. So cool. That won't be quite so free an area once the motor lifter bracket thingee is back on.

You know, you could easily adapt a set of stock gudgeons to fit on the stock stern post. Then you would not have to remove it (a pretty big job).

I know I took mine off, but it is not necessary. Could save you some time.

These are the ones I used, from Duckworks, they are extra heavy duty versions. See, you could just bend those rascals 90 degrees and Bobs yer Uncle.

They have a whole department of this great hardware at good prices with excellent delivery.

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/hardware/p-g/index.htm

The old traveller discussion. Yes, you are going to loose your center line stern deck mainsheet spot. When I did mine I also considered all the possibilities. What I came up with was:

1. On a gaffer, a traveller is not necessary, nice, but not really needed. I think they are best suited for those close winded pointed headed sailer guys.

2. It is real nice to be able to raise the tiller when required.

3. All can be remedied with the sheeting arrangement I use, or with a mid boom/bridge deck system Ray and I were taking about a while back.

Then you get your pie and get to eat it too.

So many projects and running out of sailing time. It has blown steady here all damn day...and my boat sits on the trailer not ready yet. :cry

[Arnie Eaton]

As for a traveller, I found a safety hand rail at a hardware store which was going out of business. Paid 15 bucks for it. It is 42 inches long made of 1.25" stainless and has about 2 inches of space under it, might be enough room for a skinney tiller. I have wheel steering so I don't have a problem that tiller people have. I had it bent to follow the deck curve at a muffler shop where bending pipe of that size is not a problem. It has 3" mounting disks on each end and I used a 3" stainless ring for a slide. Fastened the lower block to it with cord. You can find the rings in a lot of sizes at stores where they sell horse supplies. With a traveller, you can get much better sail control and shape.