CS17 #218, Tiller Question. . .

[SUKIE]

From studying the plans it appears that the tiller is permanently attached to the rudder. Is this correct? It seams to me that every small boat I've sailed has some kind of pivoting arrangement, allowing the helmsman to stand and still stear comfortably. However, I don't see that in the plans. Also, if it's permanent, isn't that a large awkward thing to move and store for trailering?

How have you all done this?

Thanks,

Sukie

[Apteryx]

The tiller looks permanently attached to the rudderhead, but the rudder is just held to the rudder cheeks by the pivot bolt (and the downhaul, reeved through that copper tube).

I'd like to hear from others, but storing it might not be too bad without the rudder on the pivot.  Lifting the rudder up to gain visibility, perhaps while motoring under a bridge with the masts down, sounds like a good idea, though.

[Charlie Jones]

The tiller pivots on both the 17 and the 20 ( also the Princess 22). Graham sells a clip to hold the hot stick ( or tiller extension) and the extension swivel. You can steer with either the extension or the tiller itself, from a standing position.

I'd leave the rudder in the cheeks, use a up haul of some sort for trailering. PITA to reeve the down haul thru the rudder head each time. I wouldn't have a boat this size without an extension by the way.

Here's a pic of the tiller and extension on a 20-The 17 is identical

[Ken_Potts]

My tiller is fixed to the rudder cheeks.  I originally planned to make a tiller extension and someday I might but I don't have a problem with it set up as is (or I would have changed it by now).  When I do finally make a tiller extension I'll probably like that too.

I can reach it just fine while sitting on the cockpit seat not far from the thwart, sitting up on the side deck, sitting on the rear deck or standing.  If I'm standing I'll occasionally just stand with my legs on either side of the tiller and cruise along hands-free, steering by leaning a little to one side or the other.

I remove the rudder for trailering (it rides in the back of my pickup).  For storage I just lay the rudder on the seats at the rear of the cockpit so the bottom of the rudder is on one seat, the top of the rudder cheeks on the other seat and the tiller pointing forward.  I've intended for a long time to find a nifty way to hang the rudder between the masts or something when trailering but I haven't had any problems handling things without that.  If I were driving a little car instead of a little truck I would have found a way to hang the rudder from the masts or one of the crutches by now (When trailering, not when sailing  ;D ).

[Gordy Hill]

I made my tiller pivoting with a large stainless steel bolt with a wing nut. I wouldn't have it any other way. I took the rudder off for trailering. I often used it standing up for better visibility in shallow water. I had a hiking stick, but felt the rudder was easier to steer with. At anchor the tiller can be folded up and out of the way.

[Charlie Jones]

;D ;D ;D ;D

Rudders are usually easier to steer with than hiking sticks- Hiking sticks have such a small cross section and the foil is the pits

;D ;D ;D ;D

[Apteryx]

;D ;D ;D ;D

Rudders are usually easier to steer with than hiking sticks- Hiking sticks have such a small cross section and the foil is the pits

;D ;D ;D ;D

Is that called whether helm?  As in the boat goes where the boat goes, whether or not you want it to or not?

;D

[Designer]

Hinging verses a fixed tiller is a matter of preference. On small boats it is easier and more reliable to make a fixed tiller and I can't stand any slack in the helm. When hiking, you must hike if you want to get performance when the wind blows, you have to use a hiking stick. Once you are comfortable with using a hiking stick then a hinging tiller is irrelevant because the hiking stick allows you to steer from wherever you like.

On larger cabin boats I like to have a hinging tiller because you often don't have a tiller ext. as hiking is less effective. It is handy to be able to stand up while steering to pick your way around crab pots or pick up a mooring. With the heavier construction it is easier to make a strong tight hinge.

On a CS17 you could not beat me into using a hinging tiller. As Ray said, the rudder stows in it's place so there is no need to make the rudder smaller when traveling.

[Hirilonde]

Hinging verses a fixed tiller is a matter of preference. On small boats it is easier and more reliable to make a fixed tiller and I can't stand any slack in the helm.

Yeah, I agree.  I do think it can be done hinged with no slack though.  My Spindrift tiller is not only hinged, but I use a wing nut so that it is removable.  For most this is unnecessary, but I take everything apart, put all the pieces in a special bag, and stow them on my Renegade for cruising while towing the Spindrift.  Being able to lift the tiller while sailing can have its advantages as well coming about.  Do what's best for you.